Endoscopic bursal resection: the olecranon bursa and prepatellar bursa.

Abstract

We treated 31 cases of olecranon bursitis and 19 cases of prepatellar bursitis. The average duration of symptoms before surgery was 1.1 years with a range of 3 months to 4 years. All patients had had preoperative aspiration and injection of cortisone. Patients underwent an arthroscopic bursal resection, removing all the bursal sack that could be seen. The results indicated that 86% of patients after olecranon bursectomy had no pain whatsoever. In the patients with prepatellar bursitis, 66% had no pain whatsoever, but we did note some residual tenderness in 24% of the patients, and 10% had pain on kneeling. There were 2 recurrences; 1 patient had rheumatoid arthritis and 1 repetitive daily trauma to the knee. There were no significant complications.