The Treatment for Bicipital Radial Bursitis

Bicipital radial bursitis is a condition in which the small, fluid-filled sacs that protect the joints become inflamed or irritated. Injury, arthritis or an infection can cause bursitis. Although it is an incredibly painful condition, it is easily treatable.

Rest, Immobilization and Ice

• For simple cases of bicipital radial bursitis, doctors generally recommend several days of rest and immobilization of the elbow. Applying ice to the elbow will help reduce swelling and improve range of motion.

Anti-Inflammatory Therapy

• Doctors also will prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen or naproxen to help reduce swelling and manage the pain of bicipital radial bursitis. In more serious cases of bursitis, doctors will sometimes prescribe corticosteroids or even inject the affected area with steroids to manage the pain and ease inflammation.

Arthroscopic Excision

• In some complex cases of bursitis, doctors might recommend arthroscopic excision of the swollen bursa. An arthroscope is a small camera that the doctor can insert to view the affected area and cut out the affected tissue. Sometimes doctors will recommend arthroscopy as a way to get a closer examination of the affected area before recommending open surgery.

Antibiotic Therapy

• For cases of bicipital radial bursitis caused by an infection, doctors will usually prescribe antibiotics to attack the infection, along with other treatments to manage pain and swelling. Usually once the infection goes away, so do the swelling and pain.

Surgical Excision

• For complicated cases of bicipital radial bursitis, as well as recurring cases of bursitis, doctors may recommend surgical excision--open surgery--to remove the affected tissue. Doctors rarely decide to approach bursitis with open surgery, reserving this treatment option for serious cases that do not respond to more conservative therapies or for recurrent cases that continue to cause the patient pain.