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Knee bursitis also known as prepatellar bursitis, is an inflammation of the bursa, a little sac filled with fluid that is located close to the knee joint. Bursae are softened pressure points, which lessen friction between bones and nearby tendons, muscles, and skin. The anterior part of the knee will appear swollen, which typically indicates knee bursitis.
Inflammation of any of the bursa in the knee can occur, but knee bursitis is most commonly found over the kneecap or on the inner side of the knee below the joint. When the bursa sac is frequently irritated, injured, or infected, its thin lining thickens and generates more fluid.
There are two types of knee bursitis.
- Acute knee bursitis: This condition develops when the bursa in front of the kneecap is suddenly injured. This can be caused by trauma such as a forceful impact or infection are the usual causes of this.
- Chronic knee bursitis: Repeated kneeling or other knee-related pressure might cause chronic bursitis.
Patient may experience pain and limited mobility if they have knee bursitis. Self-care techniques and prescription medications are frequently used in combination with each other as knee bursitis treatment to reduce pain and inflammation.
Symptoms
The sign and symptoms of knee bursitis can vary depending on the affected bursa and the cause of inflammation. Symptoms can appear suddenly if there is a sharp blow to the knee, but most cases of knee bursitis develop gradually from friction and irritation caused by occupations that require a lot of kneeling on hard surfaces. These symptoms can worsen over time.
Knee bursitis has three common symptoms, however not everyone who exhibits all three symptoms will actually have the condition. These are the three indications:
- Swelling: Most cases of knee bursitis usually have swollen knee. The patient’s enlarged bursa sac will be visible and palpable through their skin. Pressing on it typically causes them to feel squishy. If the knee bursitis is not treated, the swelling may get worse.
- Limited range of motion: Knee bursitis in mild to severe forms typically does not interfere with the ability to flex and extend the knee. Knee bursitis might make it difficult to move the knee as normally as it would be if it is severe.
- Pain: Some cases of knee bursitis may not cause pain; others may experience pain or discomfort in the affected knee even when they are resting. Knee bursitis patients can have no pain while at rest but soreness or tenderness when bending or kneeling their affected knee.
An infection can occasionally develop in the bursa that lies over the kneecap. In addition to knee discomfort and swelling, if the patient has a fever, they need to seek medical attention.
Causes
Knee bursitis could be cause by the following:
- Activity: Knee bursitis could be cause by sustaining pressure and irritation from frequent kneeling.
- Trauma: Knee bursitis can result from injury to the knee, such as from falling or being struck by an object.
- Infection: Knee sac could become infected from a scrape, bug bite, or cut. Infectious bursitis is a term used to describe this type of prepatellar bursitis. Although it’s less often, this condition is dangerous and requires immediate medical attention.
- Other diseases: Complication from rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or osteoarthritis could cause knee bursitis.
Risk factors
There is a higher risk of developing knee bursitis:
- Kneeling: Knee bursitis is more likely to affect people who spend extended periods of time on their knees.
- Particular sports: Chance of developing knee bursitis can be increased by participating in sports like wrestling, football, and volleyball that involve repeated falls or direct hits to the knee.
- Obesity and osteoarthritis. Obesity with osteoarthritis frequently experience pes anserine bursitis, which affects the inner side of their knee below the joint.
Diagnosis
Knee bursitis is frequently diagnosed by healthcare providers through a medical history and physical examination. Your physician will:
- Physical examination: Healthcare providers will assess both knees to differentiate the condition. Healthcare provider will press on the area of the knee and assess for any swelling and pain. The skin will be inspected for tenderness, redness, and any other signs of infection.
- Knees will be carefully checked for pain during range of motion by moving the bending or flexing.
- Imaging tests: Healthcare provider will recommend one or more of the imaging tests listed below to help rule out injuries that can produce signs and symptoms similar to those of bursitis:
- X-ray: To ensure that the patient do not have a bone injury that is causing their discomfort and swelling, healthcare provider may have to get an X-ray of their knees.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A strong magnetic field and radio waves are used in MRIs to create precise images of the internal structures. With this technology, soft tissues like bursae that could cause the swelling.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound technology, which uses sound waves to create images in real time, can assist the healthcare provider in better visualize swelling in the afflicted bursa.
- Aspiration: If the patient has gout or an infection in the bursa, a sample of the bursa fluid may be taken for testing by inserting a needle into the affected area and draining some of the fluid.
Treatment
Treatment for bursitis typically aims to alleviate symptoms and may involve multiple approaches depending on the cause of the condition and the affected bursa. Some common treatment options may include:
- Medications: Healthcare provider will recommend an antibiotic treatment plan if an infection is to cause for the knee bursitis. Pain and inflammation can also lessen with the aid of anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen.
- Therapy: Flexibility and muscle strength can be improved with the assistance of a physical therapist or sports medicine professional. With this treatment, patient might experience less pain and fewer occurrences of knee bursitis in the future. If patient cannot help kneeling, protective knee braces or compressive knee sleeves could be helpful.
- Surgical and other procedures: The following more invasive procedures can be used to treat knee bursitis.
- Corticosteroid injection: Healthcare provider may administer an injection of a corticosteroid medication into a bursa that has been affected by bursitis if it is not responding to standard treatments. In most cases, the inflammation goes away quickly, but patient can experience pain and swelling for a few days after the injection.
- Aspiration: To decrease extra fluid and manage inflammation, healthcare provider may aspirate a bursa. The afflicted bursa will be punctured with a needle, and fluid will be drawn into the syringe. They might need to wear a knee immobilizer for a short time after the injection to lessen the possibility of repeated swelling. Aspiration may cause temporary discomfort and edema.
- Surgery: Healthcare provider may advise surgery to remove the bursa if patient have severe chronic or recurring bursitis and don’t respond to other therapies.
