Knee bursitis is inflammation of a bursa located near your knee joint. A bursa is a small fluid-filled, pad-like sac that reduces friction and cushions pressure points between your bones and the tendons and muscles near your joints.
Each of your knees has 11 bursae. While any of these bursae can become inflamed, knee bursitis most commonly occurs over the kneecap or on the inner side of your knee below the joint.
Knee bursitis causes pain and can limit your mobility. Treatment for knee bursitis often includes a combination of self-care practices and doctor-administefred treatments to alleviate pain and inflammation.
Symptoms
Knee bursitis signs and symptoms may vary, depending on which bursa is affected and what precisely is causing the inflammation.
In general, the affected portion of your knee may feel warm, tender and swollen when you put pressure on it. You may also feel pain when you move or even at rest.
A sharp blow to the knee can cause symptoms to appear rapidly. But most cases of knee bursitis result from repetitive injuries — sustained in jobs that require a lot of kneeling — so symptoms usually begin gradually and may worsen over time.
Causes
Knee bursitis can be caused by:
• Frequent and sustained pressure, such as from kneeling
• A direct blow to your knee
• Bacterial infection of the bursa
• Complications from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or gout in your knee
Risk factors
Knee bursitis is a common complaint, but the following factors may increase your risk of developing this painful disorder.
• Excessive kneeling. People who work on their knees for long periods of time — carpet layers, plumbers and gardeners — are at increased risk of knee bursitis.
• Participation in certain sports. Sports that result in direct blows or frequent falls on the knee — such as wrestling, football and volleyball — may increase your risk of knee bursitis. Runners may develop pain and inflammation in the anserine bursa, located on the inner side of your knee below the joint.
• Obesity and osteoarthritis. Anserine bursitis, affecting the inner side of your knee below the joint, often occurs in obese women with osteoarthritis.
Treatments and drugs
Depending on which parts of your knee are affected, your doctor may recommend one or more treatment approaches.
Medications
If an infection has caused the knee bursitis, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotic treatment.
Therapy
Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist or specialist in sports medicine, who can help you learn appropriate exercises to improve flexibility and strengthen muscles. This therapy may alleviate pain and reduce your risk of recurring episodes of knee bursitis.
Surgical and other procedures
More invasive treatments for knee bursitis treatment may include:
• Corticosteroid injection.
• Aspiration.
• Surgery.
Lifestyle and home remedies
To ease pain and discomfort of knee bursitis, try these home remedies.
• Rest your knee. Discontinue the activity that causes knee bursitis and avoid movements that worsen your pain.
• Apply ice. Apply an ice pack to your knee for 20 minutes at a time several times a day until the pain goes away and your knee no longer feels warm to the touch.
• Apply compression. Use of a compressive wrap or knee sleeve can help to reduce swelling.
• Elevate your knee. Elevate your knee by propping up your legs on pillows. This can help reduce swelling in your knee.
References
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/knee-bursitis/basics/definition/con-20030816
