My elbow looks like Popeye’s elbow.
I have been experiencing some pain and swelling around the tip of my elbow since my fall on the stairs 4 weeks ago. I went last week for an x-ray to make sure I didn’t break any thing. Today the results came back and the Dr. said I had water on the elbow. So of course like most things I Googled water on the elbow, but wouldn’t you have it there is little information via Google about water on the elbow .
I called back the clinic and asked for the medical name. The proper name for water on the elbow is olecranon bursitis or elbow bursitis. (More information about olecranon bursitis via Yahoo Health.) Olecranon Bursititis is often regarded to as Popeye Elbow, because it resembles the elbow of Popeye. Go figure!
Water on the elbow can happen after a fall onto the elbow like in my case.
My advice is that if you get water on the elbow, take ibuprofen for pain and use ice to help with the swelling.
I just hope my water on the elbow goes away soon. The Dr. advised me that if it wasn’t better in a month that she would send me for an ultrasound.
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8 responses so far ↓
Wrote: Dec 12, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I hope you feel better soon, Rose.
Wrote: Dec 13, 2008 at 10:52 am
Ahhh, Rose. It sounds painful, I hope it clears up soon.
Wrote: Dec 13, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Oh ouch! Hope you feel better soon! Are you able to move it, or does it hurt too much?
Wrote: Dec 15, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Ouch…get well soon, Rose. I guess there is nothing that can be done to drain it?
Wrote: Dec 27, 2008 at 1:48 am
From what I’ve been reading on other sites, an ultrasound would be a big waste of time and money.
Wrote: Dec 27, 2008 at 1:58 am
My apologies! Look up gout on Wiki and read the Diagnosis section. An ultrasound would be helpful to determine if you are one of the small percentage of people whose olecranon bursitis is pre-gout. Same reason why some doctors prescribe antibiotics for it – i.e. in case yours is caused by a bacterial infection, which may be more likely since you described a preceding injury. Any breaking of the skin from your fall? You might want to ask your doctor if a round of antibiotics isn’t more practical prior to charging up an ultrasound, ESPECIALLY given the preceding injury. Wasn’t she listening?
Wrote: Oct 19, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Thanks for this, Rose. It told me what I needed to know.
Wrote: Oct 20, 2009 at 12:09 am
No problem.