Final answer:
Bursitis is an inflammation of a bursa, causing joint pain and stiffness. 'Student's elbow' or olecranon bursitis specifically affects the elbow. It may result from muscle overuse or trauma, and treatments vary depending on the underlying cause.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bursitis and Student's Elbow
Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa near a joint that results in pain, swelling, tenderness, and possible joint stiffness. One common type is olecranon bursitis, known as student's elbow, which occurs at the elbow and involves inflammation of the bursa between the skin and the olecranon process of the ulna. This condition can be acute or chronic and may result from various causes such as muscle overuse, trauma, excessive pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or infection. Treatments include antibiotics for infection-caused bursitis, or anti-inflammatory agents like NSAIDs or corticosteroids for trauma or overuse-related cases. Chronic bursitis might require fluid drainage, but typically does not necessitate additional surgery. Of note, repetitive motions related to certain activities or professions can predispose individuals to bursitis, with variants including swimmer's shoulder and tennis elbow, while joint overuse can lead to microtrauma and tendinitis.