Physical Therapy for Elbow Bursitis

Elbow bursitis involves inflammation of the tip of the elbow due to irritation of the olecranon bursa, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited range of motion at the elbow. Elbow bursitis can develop after a direct hit to the elbow during a sport, but most commonly results from prolonged pressure on and repetitive use of the elbow. A physical therapist can help reduce elbow bursitis-associated pain, swelling, and stiffness, speed recovery, and restore movement and range of motion in the elbow and upper extremity.

What is Elbow Bursitis?

Elbow bursitis occurs when the bursa on the tip of the elbow becomes irritated and inflamed, leading to swelling and pain. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bone, soft tissues, and skin, containing a small amount of lubricating fluid to allow soft tissues to move and glide freely over the underlying bone. At the elbow, the olecranon bursa cushions the tip of the elbow bone, the ulna. When the bursa becomes irritated and inflamed, the sac fills with extra fluid, causing pain and swelling.

Symptoms of elbow bursitis include swelling, redness, and tenderness to touch on the tip or back of the elbow. Pain may be experienced when pushing on the top of the back of the elbow or when leaning on the arm, such as resting the elbow on an armrest or table. An individual with elbow bursitis may also experience stiffness in the elbow joint and limited range of motion and ability to bend the elbow.

Elbow bursitis can be caused by a variety of factors:

• Trauma from a direct hit to the elbow, either from falling on the elbow or hitting the elbow on a hard surface during a sports activity like football, hockey, basketball, and volleyball

• Frequent mini-traumas from repetitive overuse from sport and prolonged pressure on the elbow on a hard surface for a long period of time during work. Common activities that can lead to bursitis are carpentry, gardening, painting, mining, plumbing, car mechanic work, scrubbing, shoveling, excessive computer work, and sports like tennis, golf, and baseball

• Bone spurs on the tip of the elbow that develop from arthritis

• Chronic conditions like gout or rheumatoid arthritis can also predispose an individual to develop elbow bursitis

• Elbow surgery or replacement

• Infection of a cut at the elbow

Physical Therapy for Elbow Bursitis

A physical therapist can help reduce elbow bursitis-associated pain, swelling, and stiffness, speed recovery and restore movement and range of motion in the elbow and upper extremity. Treatment and recovery with a physical therapist can be achieved in 2 to 8 weeks or less with swelling management and a targeted stretching and strengthening program.

Physical therapy treatment for elbow bursitis can include:

• Pain and swelling management through the use of compression and ice and heat modalities. Ice helps to reduce blood flow to the area which decreases inflammation and can temporarily relieve pain. Heat can then be used to improve circulation, which helps decrease stiffness in the elbow.

• Manual therapy is used to restore normal movement in the arm through soft tissue and joint mobilizations

• Specific stretching exercises to improve the flexibility of any tight muscles of the arm and elbow, such as flexion and extension of the elbow stretches and pronation and supination stretches of the elbow

• Targeted strengthening and agility training of the weak and injured arm and elbow muscles

• Home exercise program

• Functional work and sports training

To prevent elbow bursitis development:

• Avoid leaning on your elbow excessively and use a wrist guard or pad on your desk to cushion the elbow

• Maintain correct typing arm position to reduce leaning or pressure on the elbow

• Avoid hard hits or prolonged pressure to the tip of the elbow, using elbow pads during sports

• Follow a consistent flexibility and strengthening program of the arm and elbow

• Always warm up before an activity and gradually increase any activity in intensity and duration

Are you currently suffering from pain and swelling at the elbow? Work with a physical therapist to speed recovery and restore function in your elbow!