Knee bursitis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Knee bursitis is inflammation of a small fluid-filled sac (bursa) near the knee joint. The bursa reduces friction and cushions pressure points between bones and tendons, muscles and skin near joints.

Any of the knee bursae can become inflamed, but knee bursitis most often occurs above the kneecap or inside the knee below the joint.

Knee bursitis causes pain and can restrict your mobility. Treatment for knee bursitis often involves a combination of self-care practices and doctor-administered treatments to relieve pain and inflammation.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of knee bursitis vary depending on the bursa affected and the cause of the inflammation.

In general, the affected part of the knee may feel warm, tender, and swollen when pressed. You may also feel pain when moving or even when you are at rest.

A hard blow to the knee can cause symptoms to appear quickly. However, most cases of knee bursitis are due to the friction and irritation of the bursa that occurs in jobs that require a person to spend a lot of time kneeling on hard surfaces. This is why symptoms usually start gradually and can get worse over time.

Although knee bursitis is a common condition, the risk of developing this painful condition may be increased due to: Stay on your knees for a long time. People who work on their knees for long periods of time (carpet fitters, plumbers, and landscapers) are at higher risk for knee bursitis. Practice certain sports. Sports that cause frequent direct blows or falls to the knees (such as wrestling, soccer, and volleyball) can increase the risk of knee bursitis. Runners may experience pain and swelling in the houndstooth pouch, located inside the knee below the joint. Obesity and osteoarthritis. Houndstooth bursitis, which affects the inside of the knee below the joint, commonly occurs in obese women with osteoarthritis.

Diagnostic

Doctors can often diagnose knee bursitis through a history and physical exam. Your doctor: Will compare the condition of both knees, especially if pain is felt in only one knee. Lightly press different areas of the knee to check for warmth, swelling, and the source of pain. other signs of infection Move your legs and knees carefully to determine the range of motion of your knee and whether it hurts when you bend or flex it

Imaging exams

To help rule out lesions that can cause signs and symptoms similar to bursitis, your doctor may order one or more of the following imaging tests: X-rays. They can be helpful in revealing a bone problem or the presence of arthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of internal body structures. This technology visualizes soft tissues, such as synovial pockets. ultrasound. By using sound waves to produce images in real time, ultrasound can help the doctor better visualize the swelling of the affected bursa.

Suction

Bursitis often improves over time, so treatment is usually aimed at relieving symptoms. However, depending on the cause of your knee bursitis and the infected bursa, your doctor may recommend one or more treatment approaches.

Medications

If the cause of your knee bursitis is an infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotic treatment.

Therapy

Your doctor can refer you to a physical therapist or sports medicine specialist who can help you improve your flexibility and strengthen your muscles. This therapy can relieve pain and reduce the risk of recurrent episodes of knee bursitis. Orthopedic supports to protect the knee can help if you can’t avoid kneeling, and compression knee braces can reduce swelling.

Surgeries and other procedures

The most invasive methods of treating knee bursitis include: Injection of corticosteroids. If bursitis is persistent and unresponsive to basic treatments, your doctor may inject a corticosteroid into an affected bursa to reduce inflammation. The swelling usually goes away quickly, but you will likely feel pain and swelling from the injection for a few days. Suction. The doctor may aspirate a bag to reduce excess fluid and treat swelling. He will insert a needle into the affected bursa and draw fluid into the syringe. Aspiration is likely to cause short-term pain and swelling, and you may need to wear a knee immobilizer for a short time after the injection to reduce the risk of swelling recurring. Surgery. If you have chronic recurrent or severe bursitis and it is not responding to other treatments, your doctor will likely recommend surgery to remove the bursa.