What does the olecranon bursa do?
First, understand that a bursa is a sac made of thin, slippery tissue. Bursae occur in the body wherever skin, muscles, or tendons need to slide over bone, especially in the shoulder, hip and knee. Bursae are lubricated with a small amount of fluid (called synovial fluid) inside that helps reduce friction from the sliding parts. The olecranon bursa is located between the tip, or point, of the elbow (the olecranon) and the overlying skin. This bursa allows the elbow to bend and straighten freely underneath the skin. In short, this bursa acts as a cushion between the skin and the bone. However, if the elbow is hit, or you put constant pressure against the tip of the elbow (as when you lean on a desk or other hard surface), the bursa can become inflamed and irritated, a condition called bursitis. The bursa begins to swell, and may create a lump over the tip of the elbow. Often, elbow bursitis is called Popeye’s Elbow, after the famous cartoon sailorman.
