A health condition in which one or more small fluid-filled sacs appear near the knee joint and cause inflammation is called knee bursitis. The name of this condition comes from these sacs (bursae). This condition decreased friction and cushion pressure between the tendons and bones, muscles, and skin near the affected joint.
These fluid-filled sacs can be painful and cause swelling (inflammation). However, in most cases, knee bursitis occurs over the kneecap or on the inner side of the knee.
Knee bursitis usually causes pain and may cause movement problems. Healthcare professionals often treat this condition with a mix of self-care measures, medicines, physical therapy, and surgery (sometimes).
Symptoms
The symptoms that people with knee bursitis experience are often different because they depend on which bursa is affected and the exact cause of inflammation. In most cases, people notice that the knee feels warm, tender, and swollen. Some people may experience pain when moving or at rest.
While a direct blow to the knee may cause symptoms to appear suddenly, this condition often occurs from friction and irritation of the bursae. It often takes place with jobs that require a lot of kneeling on hard surfaces. As a result, most people notice that symptoms appear gradually and may worsen over time.
It is advised to seek medical help right away if any of the following symptoms occur. Examples include:
- A fever or chill, along with swelling and pain in the knee
- Long-lasting inflammation or a change in skin color around the knee
- Difficulty moving or extending the knee
Causes
Check below the most common causes of knee bursitis:
- Frequent pressure on the knee, such as from kneeling on hard surfaces for long periods
- Direct blows to the knee
- Overuse of the knee
- Heavy training
- Infections that negatively affect the bursa
- Some people may develop knee bursitis as a result of another health condition. These include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and others.
Risk Factors
There are some factors that could increase your risk of developing knee bursitis. Examples include:
- Kneeling for long periods – People who overuse their knees at work are at increased risk of developing this condition. For example, carpet layers, plumbers, gardeners, and others.
- Certain sports – Those who play sports that cause frequent falls or direct blows to the knee are also at higher risk of developing knee bursitis. The most common sports that significantly increase the risk for this condition include wrestling, football, basketball, and volleyball. Sometimes, runners may develop a type of condition called pes anserine bursitis. It happens when inflammation occurs on the inner side of the knee below the joint.
- Obesity and osteoarthritis – Obese women with osteoarthritis are more prone to develop per anserine bursitis.
How to Prevent Knee Bursitis?
Below are some tips that may help reduce the risk or even prevent knee bursitis. Examples include:
- Wear kneepads – This is a protective measure that reduces the risk of knee bursitis. You should wear them either at work or when playing sports.
- Take breaks – You should take breaks regularly if you are on your knees to let your legs stretch and rest.
- Try to get and keep a healthy weight – Excessive body weight or obesity also increases the risk of developing knee bursitis.
Diagnosis
First, doctors ask some questions about your medical history and symptoms and often perform a physical examination. During this procedure, they will:
- Compare the condition of both knees
- Check the skin over the affected area
- Move gently the legs and knees to check the range of motion
- Gently press on the affected area to check for symptoms including warmth, swelling, and pain.
Imaging Tests
Doctors may perform some imaging tests to confirm knee bursitis and rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms. Check below some tests often used:
- X-ray – It helps find the problem with bones (such as arthritis)
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans – This imaging test uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of different structures and organs in the body.
- Ultrasound – This test is used to find inflammation in the bursa.
Aspiration
This test involves the removal of a small sample of fluid from the bursa for testing. To perform it, doctors use a needle that is often placed into the affected area to drain fluid (aspiration). However, this test is performed rarely when doctors suspect an infection or gout in the bursa.
Treatment
In general, this condition improves over time. That’s why treatment focuses on lessening the symptoms in most cases. However, some people may need one or more treatments to relieve the symptoms and treat the disease. Check below the most common treatments often recommended by doctors for knee bursitis:
Medicines
Physicians may prescribe antibiotics if knee bursitis is caused by a bacterium. When medicines do not work, they may recommend surgery to remove the infected bursa.
Physical Therapy
During this treatment, a physical therapist helps you to learn specific exercises that help muscles around the knee become stronger and more flexible. It may also help relieve pain and reduce the risk of repeated bouts of knee bursitis.
Surgery and Other Treatments
- Corticosteroid injection – This treatment is often used when primary treatments do not work. It is injected into the affected area to reduce swelling and pain.
- Aspiration – This involves a needle that is inserted into the affected area to drain extra fluid into the syringe. It is also recommended when self-care measures and medicines do not help. Aspiration helps the bursa to heal and significantly decreases the risk of recurrent inflammation.
- Surgery – This treatment is used in rare cases. It involves the removal of the bursa. In most cases, it is recommended for people with chronic infections. People usually return to their activities within 2 weeks.
Home Remedies
- Rest the knee regularly and wear knee pads for protection
- You can administer over-the-counter pain relievers such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, or Naproxen sodium
- Apply ice to the knee until the warmth goes away
- Try to get and keep a healthy weight
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get rid of bursitis in the knee?
Usually, this condition is effectively managed with a combination of ice, compression, rest, and elevation (RICE). You can also take nonprescription pain relievers when needed. In severe cases, physicians may recommend corticosteroid injections, aspiration, and surgery.
How long does it take for a knee bursa to heal?
Commonly, people can return to their activities within several weeks. Immediately contact your healthcare professional if the condition does not improve more than 3 weeks.
What happens if knee bursitis is left untreated?
If you ignore the symptoms and leave the condition untreated, it may lead to some complications. Check below some examples:
- Chronic pain
- Swelling
- Limited motion range
- Muscle weakness
- Joint damage
- Infection
- A ruptured bursa
- Septic bursitis
This document does not contain all possible knee bursitis complications. Ask your healthcare provider if you have additional questions.
