Olecranon Bursitis Questions & Answers

Updated: Sep 23, 2021
  • Author: J Michael Wieting, DO, MEd, FAOCPMR, FAAOE; Chief Editor: Stephen Kishner, MD, MHA  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is olecranon bursitis?

What is the role of lab studies in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

What is the role of plain radiographs in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

What is the role of ultrasonography in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

What is the role of MRI in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

What is the role of physical and occupational therapy in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

What are the treatment options for olecranon bursitis in the absence of infection?

What is the role of oral NSAIDs in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

When is surgery indicated for olecranon bursitis?

What is the etiologic relationship between the bursa and olecranon bursitis?

Which acute injuries are associated with olecranon bursitis?

What are common causes of olecranon bursitis other than sports-related injuries?

What are the causes of bursal infection associated with olecranon bursitis?

Why is olecranon bursitis associated with dialysis?

What is the etiologic relationship between bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and olecranon bursitis?

Why is olecranon bursitis more prevalent in combat units?

What is the prognosis of olecranon bursitis?

What are potential complications of olecranon bursitis?

What is included in the patient education information for olecranon bursitis?

Presentation

Which features of the patient history are consistent with olecranon bursitis?

What is the most classic finding in olecranon bursitis?

Which physical exam findings are associated with olecranon bursitis?

DDX

Which conditions are considered in the differential diagnosis of olecranon bursitis?

What are the differential diagnoses for Olecranon Bursitis?

Workup

What is the role of lab studies in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

What is the role of Gram stain in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

How are WBC counts interpreted in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

What is the role of bacterial culture in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

What findings besides infection can be revealed in the aspirate of olecranon bursitis?

What is the role of plain radiographs in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

What is the role of ultrasonography in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

What is the role of MRI in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

How is a bursal aspiration performed in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

Which lab studies are indicated when cloudy fluid is aspirated in olecranon bursitis?

When is corticosteroid injection administered following bursal aspiration in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

When is lab analysis of aspirated fluid indicated in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

How should aspiration/injection be performed in the workup of olecranon bursitis?

Treatment

Which patient conditions should be considered in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

How can dehiscence be avoided in the surgical treatment of olecranon bursitis?

When is physical or occupational therapy indicated in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

When is surgical intervention indicated in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

When is endoscopic olecranon bursal excision indicated in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

What is the postsurgical care following aspiration for olecranon bursitis?

What is the follow-up care after aspiration for olecranon bursitis?

What are the activity restrictions for patients with olecranon bursitis?

What is the role of aspiration in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

What is the role of NSAIDs in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

When is focal corticosteroid an option for the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

When is empiric antibiotic therapy indicated in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

How is corticosteroid injection performed in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

When is corticosteroid injection contraindicated in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

What is the role of physical or occupational therapy in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

How is the RICE method used in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

When is physical therapy indicated in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

When is specialist consultation indicated in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

Medications

When are medications use for the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

When are NSAIDs contraindicated in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

What is the role of empiric antibiotic therapy in the treatment of olecranon bursitis?

Which medications in the drug class Corticosteroids are used in the treatment of Olecranon Bursitis?

Which medications in the drug class Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are used in the treatment of Olecranon Bursitis?