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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Swelling In The Elbows?

I have been to a&e on monday with a swollen elbow, it was some form of bursitis but infected, I ve got antibiotics but the hot infected area seems to of spread a bit up and down my arm, should I give the medication longer to work or should I go back for advice, I ve been feeling quite hot and exhausted since
Fri, 28 Jul 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM.
You can wait for your medications to act as swelling is quite common in bursitis.
If I were your treating doctor,I would recommend,
-x ray elbow and physical examination to rule out fracture
-anti inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen twice a day for 5 days
-applying ice packs to the joint 3-4 times in a day till swelling subsides
-Have adequate rest
-once the swelling recedes,physical therapy involving muscle strengthening exercises of elbow,wrists ,forearm.You may visit physiotherapist for that.

If the symptoms persist beyond 1 week,visit to orthopaedician for further management who may consider intra joint corticosteroid injection and other surgical measures .
Thanks and regards.
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What Causes Swelling In The Elbows?

Hello and welcome to HCM. You can wait for your medications to act as swelling is quite common in bursitis. If I were your treating doctor,I would recommend, -x ray elbow and physical examination to rule out fracture -anti inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen twice a day for 5 days -applying ice packs to the joint 3-4 times in a day till swelling subsides -Have adequate rest -once the swelling recedes,physical therapy involving muscle strengthening exercises of elbow,wrists ,forearm.You may visit physiotherapist for that. If the symptoms persist beyond 1 week,visit to orthopaedician for further management who may consider intra joint corticosteroid injection and other surgical measures . Thanks and regards.