Complications of Aspirating or Injecting an Olecranon Bursa Complications are uncommon and include Subcutaneous fat atrophy, skin atrophy and sinus tracts, temporary skin depigmentation, and infection due to superficial (< 0.5 cm deep) corticosteroid injection Painful local reaction thought to result from a chemical synovitis in response to the crystals in the corticosteroid solution (sometimes called postinjection flare) occurring within a few hours of depot corticosteroid injection and usually lasting ≤ 48 hours In diabetic patients, hyperglycemia after a depot corticosteroid injection Equipment for Aspirating or Injecting an Olecranon Bursa Antiseptic solution (eg, chlorhexidine, povidone iodine, isopropyl alcohol) Sterile gauze, gloves, adhesive bandage 20-mL syringe with 18 - to 20-gauge needle for fluid withdrawal Needle insertion site anesthesia (eg, topical freezing spray and / or injectable 1% lidocaine without epinephrine, in a 3-mL syringe) Optional: For therapeutic injection, 5 - to 10-mL syringe with 2 to 3 mL 1% lidocaine (without epinephrine) mixed with injectable depot corticosteroid (eg, triamcinolone acetonide, 20 mg) Hemostat, if switching of syringe while leaving the needle inserted after aspiration is anticipated Some 3 -, 5 -, and 10-mL syringes For diagnostic aspiration, appropriate tubes for specimen collection, including blood culture bottles Having an assistant is helpful.