Question 1

what about if you have bursitis and you don't drain it?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Many cases of bursitis do not need to be drained.  Often, rest, anti-inflammatories, ice, compression can relieve and diminish the swelling/fluid.  If a bursa is infected though, it needs to be drained/evaluated.  An infected bursa will be red, will hurt, can limit motion, can drain, can cause fevers or malaise, and do not get better.

Question 2

how is a ruptured bursa sac different from traditional bursitis?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation: Bursitis refers to inflammation of the bursa around a joint.  The bursa is still intact.  A ruptured bursa on the other hand is open and the fluid may leak out.  This sometimes happens and may require surgical treatment.

Question 3

what can i do to treat bursitis in my elbow if draining is ineffective?

Accepted Answer

Surgical excision: Surgery for noninfected bursa. If elbow bursitis is not a result of infection, surgery may still be needed if nonsurgical treatments do not work. In this case, surgery to remove the bursa is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. The surgery does not disturb any muscle, ligament, or joint structures. Good luck.

Question 4

small amount of fluid within the subacrominal subdeltoid bursa which may reflect in bursitis in the absence of visualized full thickness r-cuff tear?

Accepted Answer

Inflamed bursa: A bursa is a small sac that often cushions an area around a bony prominence and also often sits next to tendon. Subacromial bursitis often accompanies a significant rotator cuff tear and less commonly, can occur by itself as a result of inflammation. Treatment can include rest from aggravating activities, anti-inflammatory meds, physical therapy and corticosteroid injections.

Question 5

is it possible to have subacute or chronic infectious bursitis with the infection being contained only to the bursa and not spreading?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Bursal  infections are generally confined to the bursa (or "small sac") in which they originate.
Hope this is helpful!

Dr Z

Question 6

can i get my bursitis drained or does that not help

Accepted Answer

Depends: We try not to drain it as often the fluid will return  worse than before.  If it is full of blood often our hand is twisted to remove it to prevent ossification

Question 7

if i have a ruptured elbow bursa or elbow bursitis, how long should this take to fully heal?  thank you

Accepted Answer

Variable : Most cases of elbow bursitis can be resolved with eliminating activities or positions that aggravate the bursa and reducing the inflammation (rest, ice, compression, elevation). Other more severe cases may require physical therapy, aspiration or steroid injection. Rarely is surgery required.

Question 8

will clindamycin reduce swelling of elbow bursitis without having the fluid drained?

Accepted Answer

: Maybe, maybe not. If fluid persists after a few days treatment, likely drainage will be required. Discuss with the doctor or clinic treating you.

Question 9

i have a morton's neuroma and intermetatarsal bursitis. cortisone helped a lot but i still can't run or power walk. should i consider surgery?

Accepted Answer

No, not after one : Injection. I find injection therapy works better than 90percent of the time. Do consider orthotics. 
Cortisone is likely the standard but I use dehydrated alcohol injections more in my own practice.

Question 10

my husband has been diagnosed with elbow bursitis. his doctor tried draining it, but after he stuck the needle in, he said that there was no fluid in there. is bursitis possible without fluid?

Accepted Answer

Bursitis: Yes. Bursitis can result from swollen bursar tissues without a drainable fluid collection.  If persists and symptomatic, may need to be excised.

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Doctor answers about:

Can intermetatarsal bursae be drained in the event of bursitis

A member asked:

What about if you have bursitis and you don't drain it?

A member asked:

How is a ruptured bursa sac different from traditional bursitis?

A member asked:

What can i do to treat bursitis in my elbow if draining is ineffective?

A member asked:

Small amount of fluid within the subacrominal subdeltoid bursa which may reflect in bursitis in the absence of visualized full thickness r-cuff tear?

A member asked:

Is it possible to have subacute or chronic infectious bursitis with the infection being contained only to the bursa and not spreading?

A member asked:

Can i get my bursitis drained or does that not help

A member asked:

If i have a ruptured elbow bursa or elbow bursitis, how long should this take to fully heal? thank you

A member asked:

Will clindamycin reduce swelling of elbow bursitis without having the fluid drained?

A member asked:

I have a morton's neuroma and intermetatarsal bursitis. cortisone helped a lot but i still can't run or power walk. should i consider surgery?

A member asked:

My husband has been diagnosed with elbow bursitis. his doctor tried draining it, but after he stuck the needle in, he said that there was no fluid in there. is bursitis possible without fluid?

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