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Suggest Treatment For Yellow Fluid Discharge From The Elbow
Question: I was looking at your answer to the man with yellow fluid seeping from his elbow. You recommended certain cephalosporins to prevent infection.
I have had yellowish fluid oozing for 4 months from my left elbow, in small drops throughout the day, through a small hole made to drain an inflamed bursa. The elbow is not inflamed,only slightly swollen, and not painful. I usually cover it with a light gauze bandage. My rheumatologist said, when I asked, that antibiotics would not help. He is recommending a bursectomy. I'm hoping to find a way to avoid this. I realize you can't prescribe or diagnose on this forum, but your opinion would be extremely helpful. I am, by the way, a 70 year old man (in New York City), in otherwise good health, fairly active, not overweight. Thanks!
I have had yellowish fluid oozing for 4 months from my left elbow, in small drops throughout the day, through a small hole made to drain an inflamed bursa. The elbow is not inflamed,only slightly swollen, and not painful. I usually cover it with a light gauze bandage. My rheumatologist said, when I asked, that antibiotics would not help. He is recommending a bursectomy. I'm hoping to find a way to avoid this. I realize you can't prescribe or diagnose on this forum, but your opinion would be extremely helpful. I am, by the way, a 70 year old man (in New York City), in otherwise good health, fairly active, not overweight. Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Antibiotics are not likely to help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The oozing of a clear yellow fluid with no pain . swelling or redness is not likely to be due to an infection. This is likely to be a reactionary fluid due to a chronic inflammation in the area.
In such cases, antibiotics do not help much. Local steroid injections can cause a decrease in inflammation thus decreasing the oozing. But it provides only a temporary relief. Otherwise it is best to go for the surgical procedure and get the inflamed bursa removed.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Antibiotics are not likely to help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The oozing of a clear yellow fluid with no pain . swelling or redness is not likely to be due to an infection. This is likely to be a reactionary fluid due to a chronic inflammation in the area.
In such cases, antibiotics do not help much. Local steroid injections can cause a decrease in inflammation thus decreasing the oozing. But it provides only a temporary relief. Otherwise it is best to go for the surgical procedure and get the inflamed bursa removed.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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