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Injury advice > Elbow Injuries > Elbow Bursitis

Bursitis / Students Elbow

What is students elbow?

The elbow pain originates from below the tip of the elbow where there is a sack of fluid called a bursa. A bursa is used to help lubricate the movement of tissues in joints. However if you take a hard impact onto the back of the elbow or are constantly leaning on the elbows the bursa can become inflamed or bleeding can occur in the bursa. The result is elbow pain and swelling on the bony bit at the back of the elbow.

Symptoms include:

  • Elbow pain at rest and during exercise.
  • A painful swelling on the back of the elbow.
  • Limited mobility in the elbow.

How can bursitis/elbow pain be avoided?

  • Wear elbow guards if playing a game such as cricket where you can get hit on the elbow.
  • Do not spend long periods of time leaning on the elbows.

Useful Products:

  • Elbow Pads - wear elbow pads to protect elbows during sports such as cricket.
  • Cold Therapy - apply ice or cold therapy to ease pain and inflammation.

Please see the Virtual Sports Injury Clinic for more information on how to treat Elbow Bursitis and other elbow injuries.