If your elbows become swollen when you do pushups, chances are you've developed one of the "itis" conditions. The most common afflictions that affect the elbow are bursitis, tendonitis and arthritis. Each results in tenderness, pain and swelling on the elbows when they are stressed, such as placing your body weight on them during pushup routines.
Consequences
Persistent bursitis can lead to the more disabling and permanent arthritis. Tendonitis can cause you to alter your lifting techniques and cause bursitis. Overuse is the main cause of all three ailments. Repetitive physical activities such as pushups wear out the bursa sac in the elbow and eventually wear away the fluid that lies between the elbow ball and sockets. Small tears appear in the tendons from continued stress and repetitive motions. Busitis, tendonitis and arthritis are more commonly found in the elderly, but can affect anyone, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Symptoms
In addition to the swelling, your elbow usually appears red and is more tender when you press on it if you have bursitis, according to MayoClinic.com. It will feel stiff and achy and could cause severe shooting pains when you do pushups. As the condition progresses, you could develop a fever and a rash. Tendonitis pain often hurts at your swollen elbow and causes pain to travel down your arm. Arthritis pain carries many similar symptoms and often results in decreased range of motion.
Treatment
When you experience swelling after doing pushups, you should stop and give your elbows time to rest and recover. You can apply ice to reduce the swelling and take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen. Talk to your doctor if the swelling persists longer than a day or two or you have other symptoms, such as a fever or shooting pain. Persistent swelling that doesn't respond to rest and home remedies may make you a candidate for elbow arthroplasty, or joint replacement. According to the Campbell Foundation, joint replacement is one of the most durable and reliable medical procedures you can undergo.
Prevention
Ensure that you are doing your pushups correctly to prevent swelling. Proper technique can help you alleviate tears and strains and relieve pressure on the bursa sac. Strengthening the surrounding muscles in you shoulders, chest and core also relieves pressure on your elbows. Exercises such as crunches and resistance activities with free weights or pulley machines help to build chest, back and core muscles so you don't have to rely as much on your elbows to lift your body weight.
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