Aspiration of the olecranon bursa is a key procedure for accurately diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of swelling and pain in the bursa. The main reasons for draining or injecting the olecranon bursa are:
The olecranon bursa is a small, fluid-filled, fibrous sac located just beneath the skin, over the olecranon process at the tip of the elbow. It sits between the pointed end of the elbow (the olecranon) and the skin. Swelling of this bursa can affect both men and women, most commonly in adults, though it can also occur in adolescents.
Before starting, inform the patient about the procedure, including the risk-benefit ratio, purpose, and available alternatives.
Position the patient sitting with their elbow supported at a right angle. Locate the center of the tender area over the bursa. Clean the skin thoroughly with an antiseptic solution, then insert the needle into the center of the tender area of the bursa.
Once the aspiration needle is in the bursa, apply gentle, steady traction on the syringe plunger to aspirate fluid or inject the steroid solution. After the bursa has been decompressed, remove the needle and apply a sterile dressing. Consider placing a compression bandage over the sterile dressing for added support.
Advise the patient to rest the elbow for about one week before resuming normal activities. They should avoid leaning on the elbow during this recovery period.
