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Knee bursitis is an inflammation of a tiny fluid-filled sac (bursa) around the knee joint. Bursae are structures that minimize friction and cushion pressure points between your bones and the tendons, muscles, and skin that surround your joints.
Knee bursitis can affect any of the bursae in your knee, although it most usually occurs over the kneecap or on the inner side of your knee below the joint.
Knee bursitis is a painful condition that can impair your movement. Knee bursitis therapy frequently consists of a combination of self-care measures and doctor-administered treatments to relieve pain and inflammation.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF KNEE BURSITIS?
The signs and symptoms of knee bursitis differ depending on which bursa is affected and what is causing the inflammation.
When you apply pressure to the affected area of your knee, it may feel warm, tender, and swollen. You may also experience pain when moving or even at rest.
A direct blow to the knee can cause symptoms to emerge quickly. However, most cases of knee bursitis are caused by friction and irritation of the bursa in jobs that require a lot of kneeling on hard surfaces, so symptoms usually appear gradually and worsen over time.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF KNEE BURSITIS?
Knee bursitis can be brought on by:
- Regular and prolonged pressure, such as kneeling, especially on hard surfaces
- Excessive or strenuous activity
- A direct hit to the knee
- Bursal bacterial infection
- Knee osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout complications
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR KNEE BURSITIS?
Knee bursitis is a common complaint, but the following factors can increase your risk of developing this painful condition:
- Long periods of kneeling: People who work on their knees for extended periods of time, such as carpet layers, plumbers, and gardeners, are more likely to develop knee bursitis.
- Participation in particular sports: Wrestling, football, and volleyball are examples of sports that can cause direct blows to the knee or frequent falls on the knee. Runners may experience pain and inflammation in the pes anserine bursa, which is located on the inside of the knee below the joint.
- Osteoarthritis and obesity: Pes anserine bursitis, which affects the inside of the knee below the joint, is common in obese women with osteoarthritis.
HOW IS KNEE BURSITIS DIAGNOSED?
A medical history and physical exam can often be used to diagnose knee bursitis. Your physician will:
- Examine the status of both knees, especially if only one is bothersome.
- Gently press on the parts of your knee that are heated, swollen, or painful.
- Examine the skin around the painful spot for redness or other symptoms of infection.
- Move your legs and knees carefully to evaluate your knee's range of motion and whether bending or flexing it hurts.
Imaging tests
Your doctor may order one or more of the following imaging tests to rule out injuries that can cause signs and symptoms similar to bursitis:
- X-ray: These can be effective in detecting a bone or arthritic condition.
- MRI: MRIs provide detailed images of structures within your body by using radio waves and a strong magnetic field. Soft tissues, such as bursae, are visualized using this method.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create images in real time, can assist your doctor in better visualizing swelling in the affected bursa.
Aspiration
If your doctor suspects you have a bursa infection or gout, he or she may collect a sample of bursa fluid for testing by inserting a needle into the afflicted area and draining some of the fluid. This can also be utilized as a form of treatment.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR KNEE BURSITIS?
Bursitis frequently improves with time, therefore therapy is mainly focused on symptom management. Your doctor may offer one or several treatment options based on the cause of your knee bursitis and which bursa is infected.
Medications
If the knee bursitis was caused by an infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
Therapy
Your doctor may recommend you to a physical therapist or sports medicine specialist who can help you develop flexibility and muscle strength. This therapy may help you feel better and lower your chances of getting knee bursitis again. If you can't avoid kneeling, protective knee braces and compression knee wraps can assist prevent swelling.
Surgical and non-surgical procedures
More invasive knee bursitis treatment options include:
- Corticosteroid injection: If the bursitis persists and does not respond to standard treatments, your doctor may inject a corticosteroid medicine into an afflicted bursa to relieve inflammation. The inflammation normally goes away quickly, although you may experience discomfort and swelling for a few days after the injection.
- Aspiration: A bursa may be aspirated by your doctor to remove extra fluid and relieve inflammation. He or she will place a needle in the afflicted bursa and extract fluid into a syringe. Short-term pain and swelling may result from aspiration, and you may need to wear a knee immobilizer for a short time following the injection to limit the risk of recurring swelling.
- Surgery: If you have severe chronic or recurrent bursitis that is not responding to previous therapies, your doctor may advise you to have the bursa removed.
HOME REMEDIES FOR KNEE BURSITIS
To alleviate knee bursitis pain and discomfort, try the following:
- Allow your knee to rest: Stop doing the activity that triggered your knee bursitis and avoid motions that aggravate your pain.
- Use over-the-counter painkillers: An anti-inflammatory medicine, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others), or naproxen sodium (Aleve, and others), can help alleviate pain in the short term.
- Use ice: Apply an ice pack to your knee for 20 minutes at a time multiple times a day until the pain is gone and your knee is no longer warm to the touch.
- Apply compression: Swelling can be reduced by using a compressive wrap or knee sleeve.
- Raise your knee: To help minimize swelling in your knee, prop your affected leg up on pillows.
HOW CAN KNEE BURSITIS BE PREVENTED?
To avoid or prevent the recurrence of knee bursitis:
- Put on kneepads: Use padding to cushion and protect your knees when working on your knees or participating in sports that put your knees at risk.
- Take a break: Take regular breaks to stretch your legs and rest your knees if you're on your knees for an extended period of time.
- Avoid squatting excessively: Excessive or repetitive knee bending increases the force on your knee joints.
- Achieve and keep a healthy weight: This can relieve stress on your knee joint.