Bursitis is painful but usually harmless. The irritation and inflammation of the fluid-filled tissue sacs can be treated well. Of the 160 or so bursae in the human body, several are located on the knee joint. If bursitis of the knee joint is recognized quickly and treated correctly, the bursitis usually heals well.
Find out more about knee bursitis, how it is diagnosed and treated here. You can also find selected specialists for the treatment of knee bursitis here.
With bursitis in the knee (ICD M70.5), a bursa in the knee joint becomes inflamed . This can occur in various places:
Knee pain? Bursitis is often the cause. © westfotos.de / Fotolia
In prepatellar bursitis, the bursa in front of the kneecap is affected by the inflammation. Infrapatellar bursitis, on the other hand, is limited to the bursa located below the kneecap. There are also bursae in the hollow of the knee that can become inflamed.
A bursa, known as a synovial bursa in medical terminology, is a tissue sac that is filled with fluid. Bursae are always found where joints are subject to particularly heavy strain. The structure acts as a buffer and reduces pressure and friction on the skin, muscles, bones and tendons. While most of the 150 or so bursae are quite insensitive, other joints are prone to bursitis. The knee joint is one of these susceptible joints.
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Inflamed bursa below the kneecap (pictured: side view)© Henrie / Fotolia
If the knee is exposed to pressure and/or heavy (incorrect) loads over a long period of time, the bursa can become inflamed. Bursitis is therefore one of the typical overload reactions of the knee joint. However, bursitis can also occur after a fall onto the kneecaps. Bacteria can then penetrate through an open wound, resulting in an infection of the bursa.
There are various risk factors for inflammation of the bursa in the knee. These include
Bursitis causes swelling in the affected area of the knee. The overlying skin is reddenedand the entire inflamed area is overheated. Those affected feel pain, particularly during movements that put pressure on the inflamed structure. The mobility of the knee is often restricted.
Specific symptoms can occur depending on the location of the inflammation:
A description of the symptoms and a look at the knee are usually enough to lead to a suspected diagnosis of "bursitis of the knee". As the inflammation is often caused by overuse, the doctor will also ask the patient about any strenuous physical activities. The patient's occupation, sports profile, falls, injuries or previous illnesses are also of interest when taking the patient's medical history (anamnesis).
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor performs a physical examination following the medical history. In doing so, he pays particular attention to swelling, redness or heat symptoms in the area of the knee.
If a patient frequently suffers from bursitis in the knee, further diagnostics may be necessary. For example, an X-ray examination can provide indications of changes in the area of the knee joint and thus help to identify possible causative diseases. If metabolic diseases such as gout or rheumatic diseases are suspected, a blood test may be useful.
Bursitis of the knee is usually treated conservatively. The PECH rule provides the first steps in first aid:
The affected knee joint should be protected and cooled. Depending on the location of the inflammation, a special tape bandage on the knee may also alleviate the symptoms; a doctor or physiotherapist can advise you on this. Anti-inflammatory medication can be taken to relieve the pain.
If there are no open injuries, the specialist can puncture the bursa if there is pronounced swelling with an unpleasant feeling of pressure in order to drain fluid using a syringe. If necessary, he can then directly inject anti-inflammatory cortisone to combat the inflammatory reaction.
A puncture can relieve the knee in the case of protracted bursitis. © ursule / Fotolia
However, it should be noted that an injection into the knee joint is always associated with risks. Bacteria can enter the bursa or the knee joint and exacerbate the inflammation. Sterile working is therefore particularly important.
If the symptoms of inflammation persist for several weeks or if inflammation occurs repeatedly, this is chronic bursitis. If conservative treatment does not work, the doctor can remove part or all of the affected bursa in an operation.
The course and duration of bursitis depend on the cause and severity on the one hand and on the treatment on the other. As a rule, however, bursitis can be treated well and heals quite quickly. In the case of mild inflammation, sick leave is generally not necessary or only for a few days at most. However, severe inflammation requiring surgery can mean several weeks off work.
Bursitis of the knee mainly occurs in people whose job requires them to kneel a lot. Sports activities that put a lot of strain on the knee can also lead to inflammation. However, you can counteract the inflammation with sufficient rest so that the unpleasant pain usually subsides quickly.
Knee supports protect against bursitis. © Picture-Factory / Fotolia
Bursae protect the knee joint from excessive strain. As long as they are not inflamed, they perform their shock-absorbing function almost in secret. To protect the bursa and therefore the knee joint, special knee pads or supports can be worn during strenuous activities or sports that put a lot of strain on the knees. Regular breaks and light mobilization through compensatory knee movement keep the knee joint strong and healthy.
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