Endoscopic bursal resection: the olecranon bursa and prepatellar bursa

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Olecranon and prepatellar bursitis are common conditions causing joint pain and swelling.
• Conservative treatments, including aspiration and corticosteroid injections, often fail to provide lasting relief.
• Surgical intervention may be necessary for persistent or recurrent cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of arthroscopic bursectomy for olecranon and prepatellar bursitis.
• To assess pain reduction, functional improvement, and complication rates following the procedure.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 31 patients with olecranon bursitis and 19 with prepatellar bursitis who underwent arthroscopic bursectomy.
• Preoperative aspiration and corticosteroid injections were administered to all patients.
• Surgical technique involved complete resection of the visible bursal sac.

Main Results:

• 86% of patients with olecranon bursitis reported complete pain relief post-surgery.
• 66% of patients with prepatellar bursitis experienced no pain, while 24% had residual tenderness and 10% reported pain on kneeling.
• Two recurrences were noted, one in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and another due to repetitive trauma. No significant complications occurred.

Conclusions:

• Arthroscopic bursectomy is an effective treatment for olecranon bursitis, yielding high rates of pain relief.
• The procedure shows promising results for prepatellar bursitis, though some residual symptoms may persist.
• Arthroscopic bursectomy is a safe and viable surgical option for managing refractory olecranon and prepatellar bursitis.