The Student's Elbow

The Student's Elbow, the least athletic injury

As a student, you're probably familiar with the long hours of studying in the library at a desk, often resting your elbows on the table. What you might not know is that this habit can lead to a condition known as "student's elbow," also called olecranon bursitis.

What is Student's Elbow?

A student's elbow is an inflammation of the bursa located at the tip of the elbow, the olecranon. This bursa acts as a cushion between the bone and the skin, allowing the skin to move smoothly over the bone. However, when you rest your elbow on a (hard) surface for extended periods, the bursa can become irritated and inflamed, leading to pain, swelling, and redness. 

Causes and Risk Factors

Although the name suggests this problem only affects students, anyone who frequently puts pressure on their elbows, such as writers or office workers, can suffer from olecranon bursitis. Some time ago, we saw a father who had this in both elbows. While reading to his son, he leaned on both elbows on the mattress, and after 4 weeks, this developed into two student's elbows. Nevertheless, we see it more often in students due to their long study hours at a desk, during which they unconsciously strain their elbows.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a student's elbow are quite clear:

• Swelling: The back of the elbow can swell to a size comparable to a golf ball.
• Pain: especially when moving or leaning on the elbow.
• Redness: This can sometimes occur, especially if the inflammation worsens.

What can you do about it, and more importantly, how do you prevent it?

Fortunately, there are simple ways to prevent student's elbow:

• Use a soft cushion: Place a cushion or other soft surface under your elbows if you sit at your desk for long periods.
• Change position: Try to change your position regularly and avoid prolonged leaning on your elbows (even on a softer surface).
• Take breaks: Stand up and move around regularly to reduce pressure on your elbows.

If you do get it? Rest and ice are your best friends. Rest your elbow and cool the area with ice a few times a day to reduce swelling. If the pain becomes really severe, an anti-inflammatory can help (always consult your doctor about this!)

Prevention is better than cure

The good news: a student's elbow is not serious and usually resolves on its own. But preventing it is always preferable, of course! So, pay a little attention to how you sit, ensure soft support, and take a break now and then. 

So, the next time you lean on the table with your elbows again, think of your bursa and give your elbows some love. That will make studying a lot more comfortable!

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