General practice & primary care · UKMLA & AKT
Olecranon bursitis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
Key high-yield points
- Soft, fluctuant swelling directly over the posterior elbow
- Elbow range of movement largely preserved - bursa lies outside the joint capsule
- Pain only at full flexion (distended bursa compressed against olecranon)
Preserved elbow range of movement (except at full flexion) = bursal pathology. All movements painful and restricted = suspect septic arthritis of the elbow (orthopaedic emergency).
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