Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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TerriH52 09/22/2011

I have had this twice in the last year-my elbow swells up about the size of a lemon. It stays for awhile then for some reason it pops and goes away. Went to the RA doctor yesterday and he wanted to drain it but I told him no. Got up this morn. and it was gone. Sore as heck. My question is does this happen all the time.? He said he wanted me to go to a Specialist to have it scraped out? He says it will keep coming back till I do this. Should I do this?

Angelpuss 09/23/2011

Well, Terri, I would be guided by my PCP or Rheumy, who is the Specialist. If you're not confident in your doctor, get a second opinion.
Others here may have had experience with this happening and be able to help you more.
Hugs

ahhhsushie 09/23/2011

I have chronic bursitis in my knees elbows and shoulders i've had them drained but never burst. I've heard that you can have them removed/scraping but that they come back. If you decide to do this please let us know howit oges. Hope you are feeling well soon!

camba 09/23/2011

My rheumy said there is no point draining or removing anything related to RA as they just reoccur... At least yours go away of their own accord. It never ceases to amaze me since being on this site how much so called experts disagree!!!

deleted_user 09/23/2011

I have swollen elbows, too. The right is worse than the left. I am a walking bursitis commercial. LOL My hip bursitis is the most painful. I almost had it removed. My rheumy said no way. It is interesting what different views docs have.

Blessings,
V

puffster 09/24/2011

Terri,
I had a bursitis in my left foot right before getting dx with RA. I got a steroid shot (was very painful) which helpd it to shrink, but the pain and inflammation stayed in my foot. That's when my podiatorist referred me to RA doctor. The inflammation was due to my RA. I think you should go see the specialist - he could give you a shot to shrink it and you may not have to scraped it out.

deleted_user 09/24/2011

I have bursitis in both elbows. Its extremely painful to the touch if I forget and lean on them or wear a shirt that pulls too tight across my elbows. The orthopedic surgeon said he could take them off but that it might not help / might come back. I'm adding that to the list of surgeries that are being offered that I don't really want to do (along with a joint replacement in my jaw).

I'm kind of the opinion that I have enough going on without adding to it. If the surgeon says it might not help / they might come back, well, that's not good enough for me.

Is it bursitis or a nodule? How much does it bother you? Have you gotten a second opinion, from another rheumy or from an orthopedist?

TerriH52 09/25/2011

Thanks everyone for your input. I am of the impression that it does not bother me at the present time so I am going to leave it alone. I have a knee and a hip that needs to be fixed first. With the odds of it coming back even if I get it fixed does not sound worth it to me. So far the only time it is a little sore is after it "pops" and that is just for a day. It is unsightly but I am not worried about that. Less unsightly than a scar on the elbow!

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