- A bursa is a bag that is closed and filled with fluid, its surface is smooth to help reduce friction between the tissues of the body.
- Bursitis is the condition when the bursa becomes inflamed.
4 bursa in the knee
- Prepatellar bursa (located above the patella).
- Suprapatellar bursa (located above the knee, between the femur and the quadriceps tendon)
- Infrapatellar bursa (located just below the kneecap and below the tendon that attaches the thigh muscle to the kneecap)
- Anserine bursa
Causes
- Kneeling often
- Plumbers, roofers, carpet setters, charcoal miners and gardeners are at higher risk of developing this disease.
- Receiving a direct hit to the front of the knee
- Football, wrestling, or basketball are at greater risk for the disease.
- People with rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
- Infectious bursitis.
- If there is an injury to the knee, such as a bug bite, scratch, or puncture wound, bacteria can get inside the bursa and cause infection.
- Infectious bursitis is less common, but more serious and needs to be treated more urgently.
Symptoms
- Pain with activity, but usually not at night
- Rapid swelling in the front of the kneecap
- Tenderness and warmth to the touch
- Bursitis caused by infection can produce fluid and redness, as well as fever and chills
Prevention
- Use knee pads or supports for any sports, work, or household chores that strain your knees.
- Rest your knees every now and then. Stretch them to keep them flexible. Don’t overdo it. If one type of exercise hurts you, try something else. Put a cold compress on the painful joint after activity.
- Sit down, don’t crouch. Use a stool in the garden.
- Stay at a healthy weight. Extra pounds put extra strain on the knees.
