Intrabursal pressures in the olecranon and prepatellar bursae.

Intrabursal pressures were studied with a water manometer in 7 patients with olecranon bursitis and in 1 with prepatella bursitis. Baseline pressures in the olecranon bursa occurred from maximal extension to approximately 60 degrees of elbow flexion. Further degrees of flexion led to an exponential rise in pressure. In the prepatellar bursa a linear pressure rise was observed throughout the range of knee flexion.