what causes a swollen elbow
Swelling of the elbow is mainly due to inflammatory processes. Excessive fluid collects in the tissue spaces and any cavities in the elbow and causes soft swelling of the area. Sometimes it can involve the bone â bony swelling â although the bone is in most cases resistant to the inflammatory processes affecting the surrounding soft tissue.
Elbow bursitis, also called olecranon bursitis, causes fluid to collect in a sac that lies behind the elbow, called the olecranon bursa. Elbow bursitis is the most common type of bursitis. A bursa is a slippery, sac-like tissue that normally allows smooth movement around bony prominences, such as the point behind the elbow. When a bursa becomes inflamed, the sac fills with fluid. This can cause pain and a noticeable swelling behind the elbow. The olecranon bursa measures up to 6 cm in length, and can swell to a size larger than a golf ball. Elbow bursitis may follow a traumatic accident, such as a falling on the back of the elbow, or it may seemingly pop up out of nowhere.