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Rest is necessary
Bursitis, also called bursitis, is an inflammation of the bursa in a joint. It is most common in the elbow, shoulder, and knee. What if you suffer from an inflamed bursa in the elbow?
Elbow bursitis usually occurs in people who lean on their elbow a lot and for a long time. There is swelling, redness, pain and warmth. The elbow can also bend less well. It usually goes away on its own within a few weeks.
What is the bursa in the elbow?
A bursa is a kind of cushion that protects your joint, in this case the elbow. With a bursitis you suffer from swelling at the tip of the elbow, redness and pain.
How does an inflamed bursa in the elbow develop?
Bursitis in the elbow usually develops in people who lean on their elbow a lot and for a long time. For example, when reading or studying for a long time. That’s why it’s often referred to as a “student’s elbow.”
What if you suffer from an inflamed bursa in the elbow?
It is very important that you rest for recovery. Lean as little as possible on the affected elbow and do not press on the painful area.
Drug treatment
In most cases, no treatment is needed for elbow bursitis. After a few weeks, the symptoms disappear on their own. If the complaints do not disappear over time, the doctor can drain the swelling with a syringe. This temporarily reduces pain and pressure. You can also get a pressure bandage.
If the complaints persist for a long time or keep coming back, the doctor can inject an anti-inflammatory (corticosteroid) into the bursa.
Infection
A bacterial infection requires prompt treatment. The bacteria fills the bursa with pus (an abscess). In this case, the doctor will make an incision in the bursa so that the pus can drain out. After that, a drain and bandage is needed. If necessary, you will be prescribed antibiotics.
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