pocket of fluid on elbow

Midwest Alice · 06-03-2009, 06:39 AM

In Feb I was dx with stage 2 lymphoedema. I don't always wear my glove and sleeve, I pay close attention to swelling to my fingers and hand to reuglate wearing or not. Then... my friend is like Look at your elbow!! A pocket of fluid the size of an egg!! Strange..

Has this ever happened to anyone? I am calling my onc nurse this morning to get ideas. My sleeve isn't tight enough to move the fluid. I would rather have the fluid remover with a needle than have to go in and have my arm wrapped everday for a week.

Always a new challange!! I am learning so much and never bored. (he,he)

Make it a great day

Midwest Alice · 06-03-2009, 08:56 AM

Off to my PT this afternoon. I guess if you go with out your sleeve during daytime and sleep with elbow bent fluid can pool at your elbow. More later. Nothing can ever be easy.

Lani · 06-03-2009, 10:02 AM

Thinker, or anyone who puts their"elbows on the table"

The skin over the elbows is one of the areas of the body where many bacteria live and I have read that it is considered more risky to put a needle in and take the fluid out than not to (the "egg" usually resolves on its own unless a needle is put in and the area subsequently gets infected--in which case an extensive surgery may be needed)

A case of "less is more"

So insisting you be sent to an orthopaedic surgeon if ANY other doctor wants to try to aspirate it (ask if it is something they do routinely in the course of a week)seems reasonable.

I have personally known people who developed infections in olecranon bursae because they were treated by doctors who were not specialized in the area and didn't know to "leave it alone"

Now if the area is red and the redness is streaking up your arm--that may be a different matter.

Also remember that there is a common warning to those with lymphedema NOT to have needles used on the affected arm.

So it seems there are many reasons not just to trust the opinion of a physical therapist or oncologist but rather ask to see someone specialized in the area. Orthopaedic surgeons treat bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and assorted other structures like discs, menisci and bursae. I think they would be the direction to aim.
I certainly do not recommend treatments (or nontreatments) but report on what I have read, try to provide information including which specialist might have experience, background and training in your problem. I try not to guess at diagnoses or opine, but your use of the word "egg" sort of made a buzzer go off in my head. Sorry if I overstepped.

Olecranon bursitis is a problem of its own (as is its overtreatment), but the combination of lymphedema and olecranon bursitis sounds like it needs expertise.

Hope this helped!

Sheila · 06-03-2009, 01:11 PM

Alice
I agree with Lani..and this can be brought on by a slight bump that you would not even remember...usually draining the fluid will take care of it....the only other thing I can think of that can cause this egg fluid filled mound in this area is cellulitis....either way, get it checked and taken care of...its painful and no fun!

Midwest Alice · 06-03-2009, 01:18 PM

Sheila and Lani, Thanks for the heads up. I will take this information with me to my pt. nothing can be easy for us you know.... I goggled: lymphedema and olecranon bursitis : and immobilize, ice and wrap were the only treatments I could find. breastcancer.org and lymphedema.org didn't have anything about it. .. or I couldn't find anything. I talked to my PT on the phone earlier and she said a lot of her girls who go with out their sleeves and sleep with their elbow bent get fluid on their elbow. She did say, remember you never want to have a needle in that arm. I maybe remember hitting my elbow now… maybe it is from trauma. My PT is the local expert with a MA specializing in lymphedema…I am just stopping by for a look-see visit. …lets see if she has seen anything like this.
Sheila and Lani you are wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big cyber hug!!!

Be back in a few hours..
Blessings to all

Believe51 · 06-03-2009, 03:23 PM

Alice, thinking about you and awaiting an update. Thinking of you.>>Believe51

Midwest Alice · 06-03-2009, 03:55 PM

Lani is right, it's olecranon bursitis.. it was wonderful going in with a little knowledge and not being taken by surprise. The plan is to continue to wear my sleeve as normal ( everyday) and have a recheck next Wed. We measured it, its not red and it doesn't hurt when touched. I am already on an antibiotic for a sinus infection which will end a week Fri. I was told it could take several weeks for the swelling to go down. My PT said I could go to an orthop Dr and have it looked at... but to never, no matter what any Dr. says let them stick a needle in my arm.

So my plan is to really watch it when I go off my sinus antibiotics on Fri. to make sure an infection doesn't try to set in. This should turn out just fine. Thanks everyone for being there. I am so thankful for everyone who post here and that I have a place to turn.

Hi Jennifer, If you post I will know you got the up date.. if not I will give you a call tomorrow.
Wow... I rented a movie because now I need to rest....