Knee Bursitis

Small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae (shown in blue) act like cushions in your body's joints, reducing friction. Knee bursitis is when one or more of these bursae around your knee become swollen and inflamed.

This swelling can happen in any of the bursae around the knee, but it's most common on the kneecap or along the inside of the knee below the joint. The swelling causes pain and makes it harder to move your knee.

Knee bursitis treatment often combines self-care methods, like rest and ice, with medical help, such as medication or physical therapy. These approaches aim to reduce the pain and swelling.

Knee bursitis, a condition where the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) around your knee become inflamed, can cause various symptoms. These symptoms differ depending on which bursa is affected and what's causing the inflammation.

Common signs include a feeling of warmth, tenderness, and swelling in the affected area of your knee. You might also experience pain when you move your knee or even when you're not moving. Sometimes, pain comes on suddenly after a direct hit to the knee. But more often, bursitis develops gradually, often from repeated rubbing and irritation of the bursae. This can happen if you spend a lot of time kneeling on hard surfaces, like in certain jobs. The pain and discomfort may worsen over time.

In some cases, the bursa located over your kneecap can become infected. This is a serious situation, and you should seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the following:

• Fever or chills: Along with pain and swelling in your knee.
• Persistent swelling: If the swelling lasts for a long time.
• Changes in skin color: If the skin around your knee changes color (e.g., becomes red or discolored).
• Difficulty moving your knee: If you have trouble bending, straightening, or extending your knee.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to contact your doctor or other healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

A small, fluid-filled sac called a bursa sits over your kneecap. Sometimes, this bursa can get infected. If you notice any of these signs, it's important to contact your doctor right away:

• You have a fever or chills, and your knee hurts and is swollen. A fever and chills often signal an infection in the body. Swelling is a common sign that something is wrong with the joint. The pain and swelling could be from a simple injury, but infection needs prompt attention.

• Your knee is swollen for a long time, or the skin around your knee has changed color. If the swelling doesn't go away or if the skin around your knee becomes red, warm, or discolored, it could be a sign of infection. These changes can also indicate other problems, so it's crucial to get checked out.

• You have trouble bending or straightening your knee. Pain and stiffness in your knee, making it hard to move your knee normally, could be linked to the bursa infection. This difficulty moving the knee is a significant indicator that something is wrong and needs evaluation by a healthcare professional.

Knee bursitis happens when the small, fluid-filled sacs (bursae) around your knee become inflamed. This inflammation can be caused by several things:

• Repeated pressure: Frequently kneeling, especially on hard surfaces, puts consistent pressure on the knee. This pressure can irritate the bursae and lead to inflammation. Think of it like rubbing the same spot on your skin repeatedly – it will get sore. Similarly, activities that repeatedly stress the knee, like running or jumping, can also cause bursitis.

• Overuse or strenuous activity: Doing too much too soon, or pushing your knee too hard during exercise, can also irritate the bursae. This is common in athletes or people who suddenly increase their physical activity.

• Direct impact: A hard blow to the knee can injure the bursae. This could happen during a fall, a sports accident, or even a simple bump.

• Infection: Sometimes, bacteria can enter the knee, possibly through a cut or scrape, and infect the bursa. This is less common but important to know about. An infection can cause significant pain and swelling.

• Underlying medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout, can sometimes cause bursitis in the knee. These conditions affect the joint and can lead to inflammation of the bursae. For example, if you have arthritis, the irritated joint may put extra pressure on the surrounding bursae, resulting in inflammation.

In short, knee bursitis can result from a variety of factors, ranging from everyday activities to more serious medical issues. If you experience knee pain, it's important to see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Knee bursitis, a painful condition, can be triggered by several factors.

Overuse: Spending a lot of time on your knees, like carpet installers, plumbers, or gardeners, significantly increases your risk. Repeated pressure on the knee joint can irritate the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that cushions the knee, leading to bursitis.

Impact and Friction: Sports that involve frequent falls or direct blows to the knee, such as wrestling, football, basketball, and volleyball, can also cause bursitis. Activities with a lot of friction, like sliding on a mat, can also irritate the bursa. Even runners can develop pain and inflammation in the bursa on the inside of the knee below the joint, called pes anserine bursitis.

Other Contributing Factors: Being overweight or having osteoarthritis can increase your likelihood of developing pes anserine bursitis, especially in women. These conditions can put extra stress on the knee joint, making it more prone to inflammation of the bursa.

Protecting your knees from bursitis is easy! Here are some simple ways to prevent it, or help it from returning:

• Use knee pads: If you spend a lot of time on your knees, whether it's gardening, working, or playing sports, knee pads can be a lifesaver. They provide a protective layer, cushioning your knees and reducing the risk of injury that can lead to bursitis. Think of them as extra armor for your knees!

• Take regular breaks: Even if you're wearing knee pads, prolonged kneeling can still strain your knees. Make sure to get up and move around regularly. Gentle stretches and short breaks can help prevent stiffness and overuse, both of which can contribute to bursitis. Try to stretch your legs and hamstrings to loosen up the muscles around your knees after periods of kneeling.

To figure out if you have knee bursitis, your doctor will first ask about your health history. Then, they'll do a physical exam. This usually involves:

• Comparing your knees: If only one knee hurts, your doctor will check both to see if there's a difference.
• Checking the skin: They'll look closely at the skin over the sore area for any redness, swelling, or other signs of infection.
• Testing range of motion: Your doctor will gently move your leg and knee to see how far you can bend and straighten it. This helps them understand if bending or flexing the knee causes pain.

Sometimes, more tests are needed to rule out other possible causes of your knee pain besides bursitis. These tests might include:

• X-rays: X-rays can show if there's a problem with your bones, like a fracture or arthritis.
• MRI scans: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of soft tissues in your body, including the bursae (fluid-filled sacs) around your joints. This can help find problems in the bursa.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images. It can help your doctor see if there's swelling in the bursa.

In very unusual cases, your doctor might need to take a small sample of fluid from the bursa. This is called aspiration. A small needle is used to remove some of the fluid. This might be done if your doctor suspects an infection or a condition called gout in the bursa. Aspiration can also be a treatment in some cases, helping to relieve the swelling and pain.