My partner has had swelling on his elbow for two weeks now – not sore but it ‘weeps’ a lot of clear fluid

3 Comments

1. Menthoids says:

   July 23, 2009 at

   I’m thinking maybe elbow bursitis, also called olecranon bursitis, which causes fluid to collect in a sac that lies behind the elbow, called the olecranon bursa. A bursa is a slippery, sac-like tissue that normally allows smooth movement around bony prominences, such as the point behind the elbow. When a bursa becomes inflamed, the sac fills with fluid. This can cause pain and a noticeable swelling behind the elbow.

   Why did I get elbow bursitis?
   Elbow bursitis may follow a traumatic accident, such as a fall onto the back of the elbow, or it may seemingly pop up out of nowhere. People who rest their elbows on hard surfaces may aggravate the condition and make the swelling more prominent.

   Occasionally, the swelling and inflammation can be the result of an infection within the bursa, this is called infected elbow bursitis. Patients with systemic inflammatory conditions, such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis, are also at increased risk of developing infected elbow bursitis.

   The follow are signs of infection within the bursa. If you experience these symptoms, you should alert your doctor so he or she can evaluate for the possibility of an infected elbow bursitis: Fevers, Chills or sweats, Significant redness around the back of the elbow, Breaks in the skin (scrapes/cuts) around the swollen area.

   If the bursitis returns persistently, the bursa can be surgically removed, but this is rarely necessary. Often patients will feel a marble-like bump of thickened bursa even months after an episode of elbow bursitis. This is the thickened, scar that was the inflamed bursa.

   Patients who are prone to developing elbow bursitis are most often those people who place pressure on the point of the elbow for prolonged periods. In these patients, elbow pads can protect the elbow and help to prevent elbow bursitis.

   Does this sound like it ? If so sometimes a cortisone injection can give resolution.

   Good luck with your search for an answer.
2. ladysunshineau says:

   July 23, 2009 at

   you can have tennis elbow without playing tennis but it sounds more like a blister or a cyst, maybe he should see a dermatologist, keep it clean and dry and eventually it’ll clear up
3. ѕтσℓєη αηgєℓ says:

   July 23, 2009 at

   My fiance has tennis elbow and it is not a weeping swelling…..Antibiotics are not used to treat it normally either. Sounds more like bursitis. He needs to go back to the Dr’s.