Bursitis / Students elbow

What is students elbow?

The elbow pain originates from below the tip of the elbow where there is a sack of fluid called a bursa. A bursa is used to help lubricate the movement of tissues in joints. However if you take a hard impact onto the back of the elbow or are constantly leaning on the elbows the bursa can become inflamed or bleeding can occur in the bursa. The result is elbow pain and swelling on the bony bit at the back of the elbow.

Symptoms include:

• Elbow pain at rest and during exercise.
• A painful swelling on the back of the elbow.
• Limited mobility in the elbow.

How can bursitis in the elbow be avoided?

• Wear elbow guards if playing a game such as cricket where you can get hit on the elbow.
• Do not spend long periods of time leaning on the elbows.

What can you do to combat elbow pain?

• Rest and apply ice or cold therapy.
• See a sports injury professional.

What can a sports injury specialist or doctor do?

• Aspirate the bursa (stick a needle in and suck off the fluid).
• Immobilize the arm.
• Give a steroid injection
• Operate.