About three weeks ago I banged my elbow on a car’s side mirror in the garage. There was a very sharp pain but it was so brief that I didn’t even have time to get an “Ouch!” out of my mouth. I didn’t really have any pain until either that night or the next when I would wake up with pain in my elbow when it hit the mattress when rolling over.
After that the only pain (mild) I had was if a pressed on my elbow. A few days later my elbow was feeling a little more tender so I went to the mirror to see if it was bruised. It wasn’t bruised but my elbow had a large lump right on top of my elbow. I waited a week or so to see if the lump would go away on its own. It didn’t so I did an internet search and found that I had olecranon bursitis also known as Popeye, Student, or Baker elbow. It appears likely that I fractured my olecranon causing inflamation and accumulation of fluid in my elbow bursa.
Is this unsightly thing likely to go away on its own given enough time?
I just made an initial appointment (full physical) with a new doctor, but that’s not until early September. If it will have to be drained, is there any harm waiting a couple of months for my scheduled appointment. I wonder if by waiting it may be more difficult to treat.
There is almost no pain at all now, just a tiny bit if I put my full weight on the elbow. Feeling the lump it feels like there are perhaps three or four smaller cycts contained within.
I watched a video where a fellow drained it himself (filled three syringes) in between doctor visits. I hope I won’t need to do that!
I knew someone who had Popeye elbow around 25 years ago. I recommended he rub olive oil on it, but his physician prescribed a course of steroids instead, which cleared it up in a week or so. I don’t think they’re quite as casual with the steroids these days. Olive oil might be looking better.
I assume this works better with an increased dietary intake of spinach, right?
Honestly while that’s one elbow injury I’ve avoided so far (but I’ve had a matched pair of broken ones, not at the same time fortunately) but reading the link the OP posted, it doesn’t sound like it’s likely to cause permanent damage unless an infection sets in. IANAD, of course.
I am bumping this old thread because I have the same thing.
I had no injury to speak of just the growth of the lump on my left elbow over a week.
I went to my PCP and they were no help at all by that time it had been 3.5 weeks.
I set up an appointment with a well recommended Ortho Surgeon and he took x-rays (normal) and I had it drained - it was a lot of fluid.
I was told to wrap it tightly, rest and prescribed anti-inflammatories. I have done nothing but follow his instructions to the letter and kept my elbow free from movement, wrapped tightly and bump free but less than 2 days later the bump is back.
It is smaller than before, but definitely back and very noticeable.
Considering i have a $1500 yearly deductible, and this first visit cost me over $200 + followup bill what are my options?
I am afraid if I get it re-drained that it will just keep coming back and I will slowly “drain” my bank account.
I guess I could get surgery - again very expensive and be out of commission for weeks while I heal and also expensive physical therapy treatments but what guarantee do I have that it will not return?
The problem is that I don’t know why it happened so is there anyone out there with advice? I have had no known injury on my elbow.
In my case (I’m the OP), it was caused by a blow to the elbow, but an infection, repetitive motion or even leaning on the elbow a lot can cause the problem. I never sought any treatment and it went away after several weeks. It’s not clear how long you’ve had this (sounds like at least a month), but if it hasn’t been too much longer than a month you may just want to give it a few more weeks.