Elbow Bursitis Treatment at Home

Tom Hanks hilariously recorded his surgery for elbow bursitis back in 2013. While the video was met with tons of comments and likes, it got people asking about the condition and why Hanks was undergoing surgery for it? Elbow bursitis can be a severe condition. While surgery is an important option when your condition worsens, some home remedies are available for pain relief and treatment. If you are suffering from elbow bursitis, this blog post will discuss the best ways to treat elbow bursitis at home. 

How to treat bursitis?

Elbow bursitis is a condition that results when the fluid-filled sac (bursa) that cushions the elbow becomes inflamed. This can happen due to repetitive elbow motions, pressure on the elbow, or an injury to the elbow. You can do a few things at home to treat your elbow bursitis and ease the pain.

Compression

It is essential to provide support and stability to your elbow during this condition. One home treatment for elbow bursitis is to wrap the elbow with an elastic bandage to provide support and stability. This will help reduce the swelling. Suppose you have just undergone surgery for elbow bursitis or are looking to relieve pain at home. In that case, it could be a good idea to invest in post surgery clothing since attire is compression friendly and compression clothing has several benefits. You can also check out our blog, "Compression Clothing Benefits," to better understand how such clothes boost recovery!

Ice

The first is to ice the affected area for 20 minutes several times a day. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen to help reduce inflammation and pain. 

Rest

Resting the affected joint is essential. You may need to use crutches or a cane to keep weight off the joint.

Elevation

Elevate the affected joint above heart level to help reduce swelling.

Stretches

You can do some stretches and exercises specifically designed for elbow bursitis, which will help stretch and strengthen the muscles around the elbow joint.

If you suffer from elbow bursitis, these home treatment methods can help you find relief. However, if the pain persists or worsens, it is crucial to see a doctor, as elbow bursitis can sometimes indicate a more severe condition. Elbow bursitis is usually treated with a combination of rest, ice, and physical therapy. If these conservative measures don't work, a doctor may recommend a corticosteroid injection or surgery.

Elbow bursitis can be resolved with the proper treatment, and you can get back to your normal activities pain-free!

Can bursitis be cured?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best course of treatment for elbow bursitis will vary depending on the underlying cause of the condition. However, in many cases, bursitis can be effectively treated with a combination of self-care measures and medical treatments.

If home remedies aren't enough to relieve the symptoms of bursitis, your doctor may recommend more aggressive treatment options, such as:

1. Physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the muscles and tendons around the elbow joint
2. Injections of corticosteroid medication into the bursa to reduce inflammation
3. Surgery to remove the bursa

If you're unsure about whether you have bursitis and the proper way to treat it, you can get an x-ray done. Bursitis will show up on an x-ray as fluid build-up in the affected area. If there is extensive fluid build-up, then your doctor may suggest surgery. In order to adequately prepare for elbow surgery, it is important for you to have post shoulder surgery shirts that provide comfort to your elbow. You can check out Reboundwear's collection of shoulder surgery shirts for men and women to find one that best suits you. 

With proper treatment, most people with bursitis can find relief from their symptoms and can eventually return to their normal activities. However, in some cases, bursitis may come back or may even lead to the development of other conditions, such as tendonitis or arthritis. If you have persistent symptoms of bursitis, be sure to talk to your doctor so that you can receive the best possible treatment.

Elbow Bursitis Recovery Time

If you're dealing with elbow bursitis, you can do a few things at home to help speed up your recovery time. In most cases, elbow bursitis will resolve within a few weeks with proper care. Elbow bursitis recovery time can vary depending on the severity of your condition. In most cases, elbow bursitis will resolve within a few weeks with proper care. However, if your symptoms don't improve or worsen, it's important to see a doctor for further treatment.

What causes bursitis in the elbow?

Bursitis in the elbow is caused by inflammation of the bursa. The bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones and tissues. Bursitis occurs when the bursa becomes inflamed or irritated. This condition can cause pain and tenderness around the elbow joint. Bursitis of the elbow is also known as olecranon bursitis or student's elbow.

Elbow bursitis can be caused by several things, including repetitive motions, direct trauma, or an underlying medical condition. Repetitive motions are the most common cause of elbow bursitis. These motions put stress on the bursa and can eventually lead to inflammation. Direct trauma can also cause the bursa to become inflamed. This can happen if you fall on your elbow or if you hit it against something hard.

Underlying medical conditions that can cause bursitis include arthritis, gout, and diabetes. If you have any of these conditions, you may be more likely to develop bursitis.

Symptoms of elbow bursitis

Elbow bursitis often occurs due to repetitive motions of the elbow joint. This can happen from activities such as playing tennis, golf or throwing a baseball. Elbow bursitis can also occur due to an injury or infection. The symptoms of elbow bursitis include pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, elbow stiffness, and difficulty moving the elbow. Other symptoms may also include redness around the elbow joint, warmth around the elbow joint, and a dull elbow ache that worsens with activity.

Conclusion

Elbow bursitis is a condition that can be treated at home with relative ease. Applying ice and heat, taking anti-inflammatory medications, and elevating the arm are all simple steps that can relieve the pain and swelling associated with elbow bursitis. If these measures do not provide sufficient relief or worsen the symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention. A doctor will be able to determine whether further treatment is necessary and may prescribe additional medication or physical therapy. Thanks for following along as we explored how to treat elbow bursitis at home!