Bursitis of the elbow joint symptoms and treatment

The appearance of painful sensations and puffiness around the elbow joint are symptoms of bursitis development. The name of this disease comes from the Latin bursa - the name of the fluid in the synovial bags located around the joints, and fulfilling the function of the lubricant, preventing the injuries of the joints due to their friction against each other.

Bursitis that is

Bursitis is an inflammatory process of the subcutaneous sac surrounding the ulnar process. In the normal state, the synovial fluid that fills the subcutaneous bag plays the role of a lubricant, providing painless movement in the elbow area. It does not give joints a feeling of friction against each other, protects them from damage. But with the development of the inflammatory process, the amount and composition of the fluid can change, which affects the joints in general and is expressed in the appearance of unpleasant symptoms described below.

Bursitis occurs in various forms, depending on the cause of the onset.

1. In a light form, it does not cause significant discomfort, it is cured as soon as possible.
2. In acute form, the development of the disease proceeds rapidly, the patient's condition as a whole deteriorates significantly, and is accompanied by the appearance of severe puffiness and pain in the joint during movement.
3. Periodic relapses are typical for the chronic form of bursitis, this may be related to professional activity, as well as in case previously incorrect treatment was performed, and bursitis remained untreated.

Also, depending on the reasons, it is possible to develop purulent bursitis, which is accompanied by the formation of pus in the joint bag and requires surgery

Symptoms of the disease

The development of the disease is associated with the appearance of a small swelling around the elbow. In the beginning, as a rule, it is painless and does not cause any inconvenience, that is, it does not interfere with the free movement of the elbow. Therefore, it is often not noticed.

Warning! Learn more about bursitis its kinds and symptoms in our article.

Gradually the disease is aggravated and the general condition worsens. This is expressed in the appearance of painful sensations in the area of ​​edema, decreased mobility of the joint, each movement causes pain, perhaps redness in the elbow area. This takes place against a background of general intoxication of the body, accompanied by malaise, weakness, lack of appetite, headaches, apathy.

Depending on the causes and nature of the course of the disease, further deterioration of the patient's condition is possible if purulent bursitis develops. It is accompanied by a high body temperature, right up to a febrile state. In the elbow area, the skin has a bright red color, there is a feeling of pulsation and bursting in this place.

When bursitis occurs in serous form, the symptoms of the disease are not pronounced, the general condition of the patient is not significantly affected. In this form, bursitis often passes by itself. But in the absence of appropriate treatment, his transition to a chronic form is not ruled out. In such cases, soreness in the joint area remains, some limitation in movement. Relapses in chronic form are not excluded.

In general, the symptoms of bursitis are very similar to manifestations of arthritis, arthrosis, gout and some other joint diseases. Therefore, in order to correctly diagnose and prescribe appropriate treatment, it is necessary to consult a specialist and undergo examinations. Until now, the only thing that can be done is to limit the movements in the joint with the help of a bandage.

Purulent bursitis

Bursitis in this form is most severe and requires immediate and qualified medical care. Any independent manipulation can lead to sad consequences.

Important! With purulent bursitis, pus formation occurs in the joint bag.

This is due to bacterial infections that develop due to mechanical damage to the skin. In addition, if a synovial bag has been damaged because of this, development of purulent bursitis is not excluded.

Symptoms typical for bursitis in general are supplemented by high fever and extremely painful sensations in the elbow area, the code reddens, swelling accompanied by a feeling of pulsation and an increase in temperature in this place.

Treatment of purulent bursitis requires surgical intervention to remove pus from the affected area of ​​the elbow. For these purposes, there is excision, treatment with antiseptic, the imposition of drainage in the form of a catheter for the departure of newly formed pus. It is possible to conduct a second operation. In addition, antibiotic treatment is prescribed, which is selected after examination of the contents of the joint bag.

Causes of

The occurrence of bursitis can be for several reasons.

1. Against the background of arthritis.
2. Professional.
3. Obtaining an elbow injury.
4. Infection.
5. Other reasons.

In the presence of arthritis, regardless of the form of leak, fluid accumulates in the synovial bag, which contributes to the development of bursitis.

Warning! You can read in our article about bursitis knee joint.

Very often bursitis affects people whose work or occupation is associated with the performance of monotonous monotonous movements of the elbow with support on a hard surface. It can be students, designers, programmers.

Elbow injuries, regardless of the nature of the injury, can lead to the development of bursitis. In other words, no matter how badly the person hit or touched with the elbow, this can lead to the appearance of bursitis after a while.

Also bursitis is a consequence of getting into the body of an infection that can get through the damage to the surface of the skin and synovial bag, as well as through blood or lymph.

Other reasons include - idiopathic inflammation of the synovial bag, that is, when the causes are not identified.

Home Treatment

Important! If bursitis occurs in uncomplicated form, then treatment at home is possible.

First of all, it is necessary to limit movements in the elbow, apply a special fixing bandage with an elastic bandage. Also for the removal of the pain syndrome, cold compresses can be applied, and then compresses with dimexide may be used as an anti-inflammatory therapy.

Treatment with medicines

For the purpose of effective drug treatment, it is first necessary to identify the causes and form of bursitis. For these purposes, the doctor can, in addition to a direct examination, conduct the appointment of studies, especially with suspicion of purulent bursitis. In these cases, a general analysis of blood and urine is taken, ultrasound is performed, the contents of the synovial bag are punctured.

Important! With the confirmation of purulent bursitis, antibiotic treatment is performed.

In all cases, primarily anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs are prescribed, such as:

• ibuprofen;
• ;
• diclofenac;
• nimesulide.

They can be used as intramuscular injections, orally, and also in the form of creams and ointments. In this form they are prescribed for serous bursitis.

Antibiotics

Treatment with antibiotics is performed only in case of confirmation of purulent bursitis and determination of the species of bacteria. In this case, their action will be most effective, and recovery is much faster. In addition, properly selected antibiotic therapy can reduce the risk of relapse.

The most commonly prescribed antibiotics are the cephalosporin series. The appointment is made only by the attending physician. He also decides which form of antibiotic intake will be more appropriate and effective in each case: pills or intramuscular injections.

Ointments for bursitis

As a rule, the most effective ointments with easy flow of bursitis, not complicated by the appearance of pus in the synovial bag. Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal ointments are used: diclofenac, ketonal, collagen ultra.

Important! Vishnevsky ointment can also be used as a part of compresses.

Their action is mainly aimed at eliminating unpleasant symptoms in the form of painful sensations during movement and their limited nature due to edema. Therefore, depending on the form of bursitis, they can be used alone or in combination with antibiotic therapy.

Treatment with compresses with dimexid

As an anti-inflammatory drug, a compress based on dimexide is used. For these purposes, it is necessary to dilute the dimethoxide with water in a ratio of 1:10.Perhaps, the water will need a little more, depending on the degree of sensitivity of the skin.

1. Then, in the resulting solution, a bandage or other clean material is wetted and wrapped around the place of the source of pain - in this case around the elbow.
2. Then a layer of cellophane is superimposed on top, which is fixed with an elastic bandage.
3. The time of wearing a compress - at least two hours, or leave for the night, do up to 10 days.

Important! It is necessary to increase the dimexide. Otherwise, you can get a skin burn. During the treatment with dimexide, it is recommended to additionally treat the skin with creams based on panthenol.

Water in the composition of the compress can be replaced with novocaine. In this case, its effect will be anesthetizing.

Treatment with folk remedies

If the disease is mild, then folk medicine can be used.

Attention! Learn more in our article on bursitis of the big toe.

Compresses

Compresses from vegetables: potatoes, beets, cabbage are well suited for removing a small edema and eliminating the pain syndrome.

1. For this purpose it is necessary to take a fresh vegetable, cut into thin slices and lay on a clean cloth.
2. Grate is not recommended, as in this case, vegetables can give juice.
3. On top you need to wrap your hand with food film or cellophane and additionally with a warm cloth.
4. Vegetables alternate alternately.

Apply such compresses during the week at night. If necessary, repeat the cycle until the condition is relieved.

Propolis

In the treatment of bursitis, propolis lotion helps, which is widely used for various diseases. Therefore, prepare the infusion of propolis is best beforehand.

1. For this you need 10 g to pour vodka in the glass by about 1/3.
2. Close the lid and put it in a dark place for a week.
3. From the resulting infusion, lotions are made once a day until the symptoms of bursitis disappear completely.

Horse chestnut

Also for those who suffer from bursitis from time to time, it will be useful to have at home an infusion based on horse chestnut.

1. For its preparation, you need: 2 cups of alcohol, 1 cup of pharmacy bile, 2 cups of horse chestnut fruit, 3 tbsp.l.chopped aloe leaves.
2. All this mix, pour and remove for 10 days in a dark place.

In the future, to use, you need to get soaked in a clean, soft rag or bandage and wrap the inflamed area. Apply a warm bandage over it.