Indications: Refractory to Conservative Measures
1. Acute Olecranon Bursitis
2. Chronic Olecranon Bursitis
3. Olecranon Bursa Infection (aspiration only)
Aspiration of bursa fluid (Posterolateral triangle)
1. Avoid if possible
  1. Risk of infection
  2. Risk of fistula formation
2. Technique
  1. Patient supine with elbow flexed
  2. Mark area of maximal fluctuance for skin entry
  3. Aspirate with 22 gauge 1 inch needle
  4. Drain fluid
  5. Apply pressure dressing after aspiration
Corticosteroid Injection
1. Indication: Refractory to conservative measures
  1. Acute or chronic bursa inflammation
2. Contraindications to Corticosteroid Injection
  1. Olecranon Bursa Infection
3. Technique
  1. Always exclude Olecranon Bursa Infection first
  2. Use technique as under aspiration listed above
  3. Needle: 25 gauge, inch with 5 cc syringe
  4. Injection solution
    1. Lidocaine 1% 2 cc
    2. Corticosteroid options
      1. Methylprednisolone (40 mg/ml): 1 ml or
      2. Celestone Soluspan (3 mg/ml): 1 ml

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This page was written by Scott Moses, MD. This page was last revised before 5/10/08, prior to consistent tracking of revision date. This page was last published on 6/1/2008. Please send comments and questions to the editor. Contact information may be found on the page About the Family Practice Notebook. These pages are best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0.