How To Aspirate or Inject an Olecranon Bursa By Alexandra Villa-Forte, MD, MPH, Cleveland Clinic Reviewed / Revised Apr 2023 View Patient Education Indications Contraindications Complications Equipment Additional Considerations Relevant Anatomy Positioning Step-by-Step Description of Procedure Aftercare Warnings and Common Errors Tips and Tricks Reference Topic Resources Olecranon Bursitis Aspiration of the olecranon bursa is done for diagnostic purposes (eg, to diagnose septic bursitis, gout).