The Elbow

Literature

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1997 Jan;6(1):49-54

Surgical treatment of aseptic olecranon bursitis.

Stewart NJ, Manzanares JB, Morrey BF

Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

Most cases of aseptic olecranon bursitis respond to conservative treatment, yet some will develop a chronic bursitis with sufficient symptoms to warrant surgery. Over a 10-year period 21 cases of aseptic olecranon bursitis were treated surgically at our institution. Surveillance was a minimum of 2 years and averaged 5.2 years. The procedure provided complete and long-term relief in only 40% (two of five) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, whereas 94% (15 of 16) of the patients without rheumatoid arthritis did well (p = 0.028, Fisher's Exact test). No patients had deep infection or draining wounds. Properly performed surgical treatment of aseptic olecranon bursitis appears to offer long-lasting symptomatic relief to patients without rheumatoid arthritis.

Injury 1978 May;9(4):299-302

A useful procedure in the treatment of chronic olecranon bursitis.

Quayle JB, Robinson MP

An operation for chronic olecranon bursitis is described and the results of 11 cases reviewed. It is suggested that a number of patients with this condition have a prominent olecranon process or spur. The technique involves excision of the olecranon process only, the bursa itself is preserved. The overlying skin remains undamaged and this manoeuvre avoids the unpleasant sequelae that may follow its removal. The operation appears to give satisfactory results.