5 types of PT treatment that may improve your elbow bursitis

Thin, fluid-filled sacs called bursae are located throughout the human body. These sacs contain a small amount of lubricating fluid that helps cushion the area between the bones and soft tissue such as the skin. When a bursa in the elbow gets inflamed, it’s called elbow bursitis. 

You can experience bursitis in many areas of your body. In fact, each year, around 1 in 10,000 people get bursitis in their knees or elbows alone. Elbow bursitis can cause pain and swelling in the tip of your elbow specifically, making it difficult to put pressure on your elbow or complete daily tasks such as washing dishes or typing. 

Physical therapy treatments for elbow bursitis

Physical therapy can decrease inflammation in your elbow and help get your elbow bursitis under control. The first thing your physical therapist will do is evaluate your condition. Depending on your pain level and physical limitations, they may suggest certain activities or movements to avoid. This can give your elbow a rest and help you not aggravate the inflamed bursa even more. Once your physical therapist knows what your limitations are, they can design a specialized treatment program for you. Here are some of the physical therapy methods they may use:

• Manual therapy — Manual therapy is a hands-on physical therapy method. Using their hands, your physical therapist will carefully move and stretch your arm and elbow. This method of manual therapy is intended to stretch and manipulate your joints and muscles to release tension and increase mobility. With elbow bursitis, you may struggle to move the joint correctly or put pressure on it without pain. Manual therapy is a way your physical therapist can help you move and stretch to regain some of that range of motion.

• Aquatic therapy — Also known as hydrotherapy or aquatic rehabilitation, aquatic therapy can help you strengthen your muscles and reduce pain from elbow bursitis. Water provides buoyancy and resistance, which can make it easier to exercise without putting unnecessary pressure on your affected joints. 

• Therapeutic exercise — After an injury, you will naturally avoid using the affected joints and muscles in order to protect them. However, disuse can weaken those muscles and make it easier for you to reinjure yourself. Targeted therapeutic exercises can help you not only regain strength in your elbow and arm, but also achieve better:

• Stability
• Balance
• Endurance
• Flexibility

Once your physical therapist evaluates your injury, they’ll show you how to do specific exercises that can help you regain your mobility and strength without reinjuring yourself. Therapeutic exercises are typically used as one part of a larger physical therapy treatment plan.

• Electrical stimulation — Electrical stimulation is a type of physical therapy that aims to stimulate nerves and help with pain, flexibility and range of motion in the elbow and arm. When using electrical stimulation, your physical therapist will place self-adhesive electrodes around the injured area. These electrodes allow electricity to pass through the affected tissue, which can disrupt pain sensors and bring you relief. It may also help with swelling and range of motion in your elbow. There are different kinds of electrical stimulation, so your physical therapist may choose a specific kind depending on your condition.

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization — Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a form of therapy where your physical therapist will use instruments to help stretch and mobilize the affected area. Methods such as the Graston Technique^® may help with loss of motion or function due to injuries or conditions such as bursitis.

As your elbow begins to heal, your physical therapist may allow you to resume certain activities or include new physical therapy exercises in your treatment plan. These must be added slowly and shouldn’t cause you additional pain.

Symptoms of elbow bursitis

There are many conditions that can affect your elbow joint, so how do you know if it’s elbow bursitis specifically? Here are a few symptoms of elbow bursitis that may confirm whether that’s what you’re dealing with:

• Swelling — This is the first symptom many people notice. It can be difficult to see swelling right away in the elbow since the skin is loose around the joint. However, swelling can flare up quickly and make the elbow joint look bigger even when the arm is straight. As the swelling increases, it may begin to look as though you have a golf ball under the skin at the tip of your elbow.

• Pain — Pain in and around the elbow is a common symptom of elbow bursitis. This pain most often occurs if you place direct pressure on the injured elbow, such as leaning on your elbow or resting it on a hard surface. Sometimes, pain can occur while bending the elbow. People with elbow bursitis usually don’t feel pain while straightening the elbow. While pain is a common symptom, not everyone experiences significant pain.

• Redness and warmth — Sometimes, the affected bursa can become infected. When that happens, you may experience redness and warmth at the tip of your elbow. A thick, cloudy, yellow or white fluid (pus) may also drain from an infected bursa, and you can also develop a fever if the infection is severe. If you think the bursa in your elbow is infected, call your doctor immediately.

• Tenderness — Another symptom of elbow bursitis is sensitivity in and around the elbow. Even gentle pressure on or near the point of the elbow may be painful if the bursa is inflamed.

There can be similarity between elbow bursitis and other conditions that affect the same area, such as tendinitis. However, tendinitis is caused by inflammation in the tendons in the arm, while bursitis is caused by inflammation of the bursae. If your pain is more concentrated around the elbow directly, it’s more likely to be bursitis. If the pain shoots down your arm, it may be tendinitis.

At-home treatments for elbow bursitis

In cases of mild elbow bursitis without infection, you may be able to heal it with rest and by avoiding activities that may aggravate the elbow. Using a compression wrap or sleeve and icing your elbow for 15-20 minutes two to three times a day may help decrease swelling. Additionally, a small pad or cushion on the elbow can help you avoid putting pressure on your injury. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can help ease inflammation and swelling in the elbow joint. 

If these at-home methods don’t provide relief, physical therapy or draining the fluid from the inflamed bursa may be the next step. If the bursa is infected, you may need antibiotics or surgery. See your doctor right away if you think your bursa may be infected.

Getting control of your elbow bursitis

Elbow bursitis can interfere with your life in many different ways, but it doesn’t have to stop you from doing what you love. With the right treatment methods, you can get back to an active life doing your favorite sports and hobbies. 

The sooner you begin treatment for your elbow bursitis, the sooner you can get relief. Our licensed physical therapists at Peak Performance are highly trained in the best methods for treating elbow pain and helping you get your mobility back. If you’re ready to take control of your elbow bursitis, call us or request an appointment today.