A 60-year-old man presents with swelling in his elbow for the last 2 months. He does not have pain unless he leans on his elbow. He denies any trauma. Figure 101-1 demonstrates a “goose egg” swelling over the olecranon bursa that is not warm and is tender only to palpation. He has full range of motion. His olecranon bursitis was treated with ice, rest, and NSAIDs and he was told to avoid leaning on his elbow.

Olecranon bursitis can be aseptic, from repetitive trauma or systemic disease, or septic, most commonly from Gram-positive bacteria. Differences in clinical presentation help differentiate aseptic from septic olecranon bursitis; however, analysis of fluid may be necessary. Aseptic olecranon bursitis is treated with an elbow pad, NSAIDs, and ice. Septic olecranon bursitis is treated with drainage and antibiotics.

Popeye elbow, student elbow, baker elbow.

Prevalence of aseptic olecranon bursitis is unknown, but is estimated to be twice as common as septic olecranon bursitis.1

• Prevalence of septic olecranon bursitis is at least 10 per 100,000 in the general population.2
  
• Peak age of onset is 40 to 50 years.
  
• Eighty-one percent are male.
  
• Fifty percent have antecedent trauma.

Inflammation or degeneration of the sac overlying the olecranon bursa from:

• Repetitive motion or trauma, such as direct pressure on the elbow.
  
• Systemic diseases such as gout, pseudogout, and rheumatoid arthritis.
  
• Infection, typically by Staphylococcus aureus or another Gram-positive organism.

• Aseptic bursitis—Occupation-related activities such as leaning on the elbow.
  
• Septic bursitis—Immunocompromised state.

The diagnosis of olecranon bursitis is made clinically, by its typical appearance (Figures 101-1 and 101-2). When necessary, joint aspiration verifies the diagnosis and separates septic from aseptic bursitis.

Clinical Features of Septic Bursitis2

• Common symptoms—Pain (87%), redness (77%), and subjective fever or chills (45%).
  
• Common signs—Erythema (92%), swelling (85%), edema (75%), tenderness (59%), and fluctuance (50%).
  
• Less common signs—Decreased range of motion (27%) and temperature greater than or equal to 37.8°C (100.04°F) (20%).