Snapshot A 54-year-old plumber reports left elbow swelling for the past few months. The swelling has worsened and became more painful over the last week. He works 12 hours a day and spends a lot of time on his knees and elbows when repairing pipelines. On examination, he has no fever. There is a red and tender swelling of the left posterior elbow. Introduction Clinical definition login to view 2 more bullets Epidemiology Demographics login to view 3 more bullets Location login to view 1 more bullet Risk factors login to view 6 more bullets Etiology Trauma Underlying systemic inflammatory disorder Avulsed osteophyte Infection (20% of cases) Pathogenesis login to view 4 more bullets Associated conditions login to view 3 more bullets Presentation Symptoms login to view 1 more bullet Physical exam login to view 4 more bullets Imaging Radiography login to view 4 more bullets Studies Labs login to view 3 more bullets Needle aspiration of bursa with Gram stain and culture login to view 2 more bullets Making the diagnosis login to view 1 more bullet Differential Diagnoses Gout login to view 2 more bullets Treatment Conservative login to view 7 more bullets Medical login to view 10 more bullets Non-operative login to view 6 more bullets Operative login to view 3 more bullets Complications Bursa rupture Osteomyelitis Prognosis Nonseptic bursitis responds very well to 1-2 joint aspirations