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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?
6 doctors weighed in across 4 answers
Bursitis: Yes. Bursitis can result from swollen bursar tissues without a drainable fluid collection. If persists and symptomatic, may need to be excised.
Answered 1/26/2015
5.1k views
Yes: It could be that no fluid is present and it could be that the doctor did not have the needle into the correct area of the bursa. You could have an orthopedist look at it.
Answered 5/8/2013
5.1k views
Yes: Yes, it is possible. Let the doctor know if the bursitis does not improve with treatment. If there is increased redness, warmth, pain in the area or if the surrounding skin becomes inflamed, let the doctor know immediately.
Answered 5/8/2013
5.1k views
The other possibly: The other possibilty is that it could have been a rheumatoid nodule or even a gout tophus. However; if it is was a tophus, it should have been obvious when the needle was pulled out of the site if they were in the right location. See a specialist for further evaluation.
Answered 5/8/2013
5.1k views
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