Septic Bursitis

[Mr Gearchange]

Anyone had this? I crashed my MTB a couple of weeks ago landing heavily on my elbow and put a deep cut into it.
All was ok until I went riding some downhill trails on Friday and it swelled up like a grapefruit. Went to A&E on Saturday and they have given me a whacking great dose of Antibiotics - but it seems to be getting worse, very painful and my whole arm is swollen and really hot to the touch.

Anyone know how long I should wait for the antibiotics to take effect before I go back to the docs as it's not improving?

[The_Doc]

Mr Gearchange said:

Anyone had this? I crashed my MTB a couple of weeks ago landing heavily on my elbow and put a deep cut into it.
All was ok until I went riding some downhill trails on Friday and it swelled up like a grapefruit. Went to A&E on Saturday and they have given me a whacking great dose of Antibiotics - but it seems to be getting worse, very painful and my whole arm is swollen and really hot to the touch.

Anyone know how long I should wait for the antibiotics to take effect before I go back to the docs as it's not improving?

ABx take 12 hours to get to you in full dose. If it's getting worse you may need them in a drip, on a ward. Olecranon bursitis is what you seem to be describing. Don't sit it out.

[didelydoo]

I've had this in each elbow after splitting them. First time was cleared up with oral antibiotics after 3/4 days, though was very swollen and puss filled, forearm was thicker than my leg! Second one was worse though- red, swollen and cups of ooze coming out after a few days- I ended up on IV antibiotics and had a 5 day stay in hospital.

To add- they were planning to remove the bursa the second time, but it cleared up so they had no need to operate in the end.

Edited by didelydoo on Monday 4th May 14:06

[Mr Gearchange]

I went to see my GP after my first weeks of Abx ran out - got another weeks worth and it seems to be working as it's now 1/3rd the size that it was.

I asked if she would drain it to relieve some of the pressure - but apparently they don't do that. I was advised against doing it myself so I'm being a good boy and following the advice to the letter.

[didelydoo]

Mr Gearchange said:

I asked if she would drain it to relieve some of the pressure - but apparently they don't do that. I was advised against doing it myself so I'm being a good boy and following the advice to the letter.

You're missing out on the best bit Something very satisfying about draining loads of gunk out, the nurse at the surgery did it first time I had it. However, it may be part of the reason I ended up in hospital the second time around.......