Which is a potential risk of corticosteroid injection into the olecranon bursa?

Which is a potential risk of corticosteroid injection into the olecranon bursa?

• A. Systemic side effects are common.
• B. Corticosteroid injection into the bursa has no infection risk.
• C. Corticosteroid injections always prevent recurrence.
• D. Corticosteroid injection into the bursa may cause skin atrophy or infection.

Answer: (D)

Corticosteroid injections into superficial bursae carry notable local tissue risks. The olecranon bursa sits just under the skin, so delivering steroid there can thin the overlying skin and cause subcutaneous fat atrophy, leading to visible atrophy or skin changes. The injection also suppresses local immune defenses, which can increase the risk of infection in the area. While these injections can reduce inflammation, they do not guarantee that bursitis won’t recur, and systemic side effects are not common after a localized shot. The combination of possible skin atrophy and infection risk makes this the correct consideration.

Corticosteroid injections into superficial bursae carry notable local tissue risks. The olecranon bursa sits just under the skin, so delivering steroid there can thin the overlying skin and cause subcutaneous fat atrophy, leading to visible atrophy or skin changes. The injection also suppresses local immune defenses, which can increase the risk of infection in the area. While these injections can reduce inflammation, they do not guarantee that bursitis won’t recur, and systemic side effects are not common after a localized shot. The combination of possible skin atrophy and infection risk makes this the correct consideration.