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Bursitis

ItalianMuscle

ItalianMuscle

Drama Queen senior Vip
Sep 1, 2010
2,563
969
Was diagnosed with Bursitis in my elbow a few weeks ago, and was just curious if any of you had this or went through this? From the x-ray it looks like my tendon is completely torn off my elbow. Not sure how long its been like this, but my elbow has always had pain in it for years. Its been very tolerable, and usually only got sore when training triceps. Anyways, going to an orthopedic surgeon next week and see what needs to be done. Only reason I went in to begin with is because I had a scab on elbow, must have bumped into something, have no idea, probably from work. Anyways, it got infected, and swelled up the size of an orange, and they diagnosed me with cellulitis. Was on anti-biotics for 10 days, and the swelling/fluid has seemed to gone done alot. Im assuming I need surgery, I guess I wont know till the surgeon looks at it.

Basically just want to know if any of you had surgery to correct it, or just deal with it at home. Been icing it whenever I can, usually in the evenings after work before i goto sleep. Taking anti-inflammatory meds and pain meds as well. Doesnt hurt or anything, just trying to be careful not to bump it.
 
shortz

shortz

Beard of Knowledge VIP
May 6, 2013
3,107
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Just so youre aware, a tear and bursitis are two different things. In your case, the injury might have caused the bursitis, but there are many cases of bursitis without a tear.

I have suffered from it as well. Most times it is not triggered by a tear, although I have a history of shoulder issues in general.

Bursitis, just like any other case of inflammation, should be treat basically the same; rest, ice, then eventually exercises to help prevent it. Oral and injected steroids are also treatments that can be very effective.

Having elbow reconstruction can be a little rough, depending on which tendon and how long it has been detached. Wish I had more info for you. You will have several weeks in recovery, for sure.
 
R

rawdeal

TID Board Of Directors
Nov 29, 2013
4,313
3,475
Just so youre aware, a tear and bursitis are two different things. In your case, the injury might have caused the bursitis, but there are many cases of bursitis without a tear.
Wish I had more info for you. You will have several weeks in recovery, for sure.

Think the doubts you pose are all the info IM needs to go with till competent docs can decide. I was also "hmmmm" when the thread title and the OP seemed to blend words like bursitis and completely torn tendon. More docs, more visualization procedures will tell IM more than that initial diagnosis.
 
DieYoungStrong

DieYoungStrong

VIP Member
May 27, 2013
1,388
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I had it bad in my hip a few years ago and it seems to be coming back again.

Full disclaimer - I'm allergic to NSAIDS and Aspirin. So that route wasn't an option for me.

The only thing that helped my hip was a cortisone shot. I went with the shot over trying predisone, which was other option the ortho gave me. That shit just messes me up bad.

Cortisone shot was instant relief. I was squatting again, and back on my meet peak in a week. I felt like I could have squatted that afternoon, but you are supposed to wait a bit and let the shot settle in before lifting again, or you risk a tear.
 
hawkeye

hawkeye

VIP Member
Sep 19, 2011
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I would definitely get an x-ray and an MRI if possible. I was diagnosed with bursitis in my elbow. Turns out after going to a specialist, I had bone spurs on my radial head and also had a piece of bone 3/4 inch in diameter floating in my elbow joint. It swelled and had all the signs and symptoms of bursitis, but obviously wasn't. I had to opt for having it cleaned out and scoped. Furthermore, the tendonitis would be potentially what your dealing with with your elbow tendon. Bursitis tends to be more attributed to the bursa suck becoming inflamed and potentially rupturing. I could make sure to get all the diagnostic tests you can before moving forward.
 
Rider

Rider

TID Board Of Directors
Aug 27, 2010
1,670
1,061
I would definitely get an x-ray and an MRI if possible. I was diagnosed with bursitis in my elbow. Turns out after going to a specialist, I had bone spurs on my radial head and also had a piece of bone 3/4 inch in diameter floating in my elbow joint. It swelled and had all the signs and symptoms of bursitis, but obviously wasn't. I had to opt for having it cleaned out and scoped. Furthermore, the tendonitis would be potentially what your dealing with with your elbow tendon. Bursitis tends to be more attributed to the bursa suck becoming inflamed and potentially rupturing. I could make sure to get all the diagnostic tests you can before moving forward.

I second that, good info! An MRI will tell you what's going on. Years back I had to have it done for my shoulder. I had a bad case of tendinitis that went away with PT, rest, massages and ice.
 
ItalianMuscle

ItalianMuscle

Drama Queen senior Vip
Sep 1, 2010
2,563
969
Thanks for the reply fellas. Just got back from orthopedic surgeon. Its definitely bursitis. Its not a torn tendon, like the first doctor thought, thankfully. From the X-ray they concluded its a bone spur. They drained 10mls of fluid out, so thats good news and put me on more anti bionics for another week. Its still slightly red, so she said it might be infected still If its not better in a week, they will give me a cortisone shot. And if it still doesn't get better, she said we can do a quick 30min surgery extraction of the bursitis sack and be done with it.
If I decide the bone spur is too painful to work out or work with, I can have surgery to get rid of that, but that involves shaving the bone spur down, cutting are reattaching part of my tendon, or something to that effect and cleaning it out, etc, and Ill be down for 2-3 months. Thats not an option right now. I can deal with the bone spur, I think Ive had that for years. Just want the infection gone. Looks like Ill be taking it easy the rest of the week and back on track with the gym on Monday.

I appreciate everyones feedback.
 
Last edited:
hawkeye

hawkeye

VIP Member
Sep 19, 2011
3,045
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Good to hear. Yup, a ruptured bursa sack surprisingly can be painful but also make you sick from the infection. In some cases, it can get nasty. Bone spurs are something that you can live with. Mine affected my range of motion and I couldn't straighten my elbow completely. Looks like you have a good plan of attack with opting for the least invasive action. Good thing is you have options. Cortisone is nice but it only masks the pain and doesn't fix it. In some cases, it works for the person. Depending on the physician, they may allow you to do a few, but keep in mind cortisone I don't believe will dissipate from the body. Hence why most physicians are reluctant to give too many out.

I was out approximately 3 months with my surgery. I was in the hospital for 7 days and on a CPM machine. It sucked. I also had a nerve block which was wonderful. I was very fortunate my ortho doc had connections to Mayo Clinic and two of the surgeons that conducted the procedure were on the Olympic Board of Surgeons. Needless to say, I was in good hands. Best of luck with your recovery.
 
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