[Olecranon and pre-patellar bursitis]

Abstract

Olecranon and prepatellar bursitis have a prevalence of 3 in 1000 patients; the predominant etiology is a traumatic lesion with or without inoculation of infectious material, mainly during professional or leisure activities. Separation into septic and non-septic bursitis is possible in most cases according to clinical parameters and characteristics of the contents of the affected bursa. The therapy of acute and chronic bursitis is guided mainly by the nature of the aspirate retrieved from the bursa: a serous content justifies conservative treatment with compression, immobilization, antiphlogistic medication, and (in selected cases) the instillation of corticosteroids; a purulent aspirate necessitates bursotomy with incision and drainage, or bursectomy. Only in selected cases is a conservative trial with antibiotics, immobilization, and antiphlogistic medications justified.