What is Popeye elbow?

Olecranon bursitis is a type of bursitis that affects the back of the elbow. This is sometimes called Popeye elbow because the bump that develops looks like the cartoon character Popeye's elbow. Injury, overuse, or prolonged pressure on your elbow can cause this form of bursitis.

How do you treat Popeye elbow?

What happens if elbow bursitis goes untreated?

Untreated elbow bursitis can worsen, causing more swelling and pain and affecting the range of motion in your elbow. Infectious bursitis can worsen and spread to nearby tissues or develop into a life-threatening condition called sepsis. Professional medical care is essential for infectious bursitis.

Will Popeye elbow go away by itself?

Depending on your case, the entire bursa may be removed. You'll most likely stay overnight in the hospital to have this done. The bursa usually grows back normally after several months. You typically need about 3 to 4 weeks to regain full use of your elbow after surgery.

Will elbow bursitis go away on its own?

Olecranon bursitis caused by an injury will usually go away on its own. The body will absorb the blood in the bursa over several weeks, and the bursa should return to normal. If swelling in the bursa is causing a slow recovery, a doctor may insert a needle to drain the blood and speed up the process.

Bursitis Elbow / Olecranon Popeye Elbow - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim

Should I go to the doctor for elbow bursitis?

If you experience any elbow bursitis symptoms, you should visit the doctor right away. They will conduct an exam of the arm and several imaging tests to rule out other conditions. In addition, a blood sample and/or a bursa fluid analysis may be performed to pinpoint the exact cause of the fluid.

Is bursitis serious?

If septic bursitis is left untreated, the fluid inside the bursa can turn to pus. In addition, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and other parts of the body. If the infection spreads, symptoms will become worse and the infection can even become life-threatening.

What doctor treats Popeye?

Physicians who treat elbow bursitis include but are not limited to primary care physicians, physiatrists, sports medicine physicians, and orthopedic surgeons.

Should fluid on the elbow be drained?

Treatment may include draining fluid from the bursa with a needle. If your doctor thought there was infection, he or she may have prescribed antibiotics. You also may get shots of medicine into the bursa to help the swelling go down. Your elbow should get better in a few days or weeks.

What causes elbow bursitis to flare up?

Repetitive motions, such as a pitcher throwing a baseball over and over, commonly cause bursitis. Also, spending time in positions that put pressure on part of your body, such as kneeling, can cause a flare-up. Occasionally, a sudden injury or infection can cause bursitis.

Is bursitis a form of arthritis?

Arthritis and bursitis are different conditions that have similar characteristics. Arthritis includes a group of chronic diseases, with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) being the most common. Bursitis is a temporary condition that's usually caused by overuse, injury, or infection.

How do I get rid of bursitis in my elbow?

Can I drain my own bursitis?

Because a swollen bursa can press against other structures such as nerves and blood vessels, or may even rupture, the standard treatment is to drain it. Draining easily can be done by aspiration, in which a needle is inserted through the skin into the bursa, then the excess fluid is sucked out.

How long does it take for fluid on the elbow to go away?

Elbow bursitis in inflammation in the olecranon bursa — the fluid-filled sac that protects and cushions your elbow joint. It's usually caused by overuse from your job or activities like sports. You'll probably only need at-home treatments to help your bursa heal. Most people recover in three to six weeks.

Is heat or cold better for elbow bursitis?

Lifestyle and home remedies

Apply ice to reduce swelling for the first 48 hours after symptoms occur. Apply dry or moist heat, such as a heating pad or taking a warm bath.

Will an elbow brace help bursitis?

Lightweight compression and padded cushioning provided by the brace is ideal for treatment of a number of conditions and injuries including bursitis, osteoarthritis, tendon pain, repetitive use injury, injuries from sports, fitness or lifting, baker's or Popeye elbow, and golfer's or tennis elbow.

Why is my elbow filled with fluid?

A hard blow to the tip of the elbow can cause the bursa to produce excess fluid and swell. Prolonged pressure. Leaning on the tip of the elbow for long periods of time on hard surfaces, such as a tabletop, may cause the bursa to swell. Typically, this type of bursitis develops over several months.

What is a home remedy for a swollen elbow?

Ice: Cold packs used on the bursitis area may reduce pain. Ice can be applied several times a day for up to 20 minutes. Icing the area will also help to reduce the swelling that usually accompanies bursitis. Compression: Try wrapping your elbow with an elastic medical bandage.

Do bursa sacs grow back?

A new bursa grows back but after removal of the bone it grows back in a normal rather than inflamed condition. At the time of surgery the rotator cuff is inspected to make sure that it is not torn.

What does an inflamed bursa feel like?

If you have bursitis, the affected joint might: Feel achy or stiff. Hurt more when you move it or press on it. Look swollen and red.

How do you know if elbow bursitis is infected?

Do cortisone shots cure bursitis?

Bursa injections contain steroids that soothe bursitis inflammation and joint pain. The steroid injection eases symptoms of hip bursitis, shoulder bursitis and other types of bursitis. If injections don't relieve symptoms, you may need surgery.

What happens if a bursa sac bursts?

If the bursitis is left untreated, the fluid filled sack has the potential to rupture. This could then lead to an infection of the surrounding skin.

Can you pop a bursa sac?

Draining the bursa

A doctor can puncture the bursa with a hollow needle (cannula) to draw out the excess fluid. But this technique is usually not a permanent solution – even when repeated several times: The fluid quickly fills up again, and each time it is drained there is a risk that bacteria could infect the bursa.

What do doctors prescribe for bursitis?

Most cases of bursitis will resolve by resting, compressing, and icing the affected joint. Medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids can be used to relieve swelling and pain as the joint heals.