Treatment of Elbow Bursitis

Conservative Treatment (First Line)

Relative rest is essential to prevent further damage and promote healing, although complete immobilization should be avoided to prevent muscle atrophy 1
Ice application (cryotherapy) for periods of 10 minutes through a damp towel provides effective short-term pain relief 1
Protection of the affected area with padding can help prevent additional irritation 1
Activities that do not exacerbate pain can be continued, but those that worsen symptoms should be modified or temporarily stopped 1

If symptoms persist despite 4 to 12 weeks of conservative treatment, consider the following options: 1
Local corticosteroid injections may be more effective than NSAIDs for relief in the acute phase 2, 1
However, they should be used with caution due to potential complications, including skin atrophy, infection, and tendon weakening 1

Surgical intervention should only be considered after failure of 6 to 12 months of appropriate conservative treatment 1

Patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors for ischemic heart disease should follow a gradual approach to pharmacological treatment 3