Bursitis is a condition that results when the bursae, or fluid-filled sacs, become inflamed. Bursae are located in many joints in the body, such as the elbows, shoulders, and knees. However, bursitis has some of the same symptoms as arthritis and other joint conditions, so sometimes it’s hard to tell whether your pain is from bursitis. Let’s talk about knee bursitis, how to know if you’re suffering from bursitis in the knees, and where you can get treatment for knee bursitis from some of the most qualified orthopedic physicians in North Dakota.
What Is Knee Bursitis and What Are the Symptoms?
Knee bursitis is a condition that results when the bursae, or fluid-filled sacs, become inflamed. There are multiple bursae in the knee, as they provide a cushion between your bone and your skin to protect your joints. There are three bursae in the knee, but the most common one affected by bursitis is the patellar bursa or the bursa on top of the kneecap.
Symptoms of knee bursitis include pain, swelling, redness, and warmth around the affected area. The pain can be quite severe and may worsen with activity. You may also experience difficulty bending or straightening your knee.
How Do You Know if You’re Suffering from Knee Bursitis?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you may suffer from knee bursitis. It’s important to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis, as other conditions, such as arthritis, can also cause similar symptoms.
Bursitis generally develops slowly over time with repeated irritation of the bursae – such as if you have a job or hobby where you frequently kneel, especially on hard surfaces. This means that symptoms usually develop slowly over time as well.
Doctors distinguish bursitis from other injuries by doing a physical exam and imaging tests. Your doctor may use an X-ray to rule out arthritis or bone damage and an MRI to produce detailed images of the soft tissue in your knee, like the bursae.
Treatment Options for Knee Bursitis
Most cases of bursitis get better on their own over time once the activity causing it is stopped or modified (i.e., wearing kneepads when kneeling). This means that the treatments aim to relieve painful symptoms during the healing process. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of your condition and may include rest, ice therapy, compression wraps, anti-inflammatory medications, and antibiotics if your bursa is infected. Physical therapy can help strengthen your knee muscles and prevent future cases of knee bursitis.
If the swelling is not improving with these methods, your doctor may perform aspiration or a corticosteroid injection. Aspiration involves using a needle and draining excess fluid from the bursa. A corticosteroid injection delivers an anti-inflammatory steroid to the bursa to target inflammation at the source.
Knee Bursitis Treatment at The Bone and Joint Center
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, or knee pain is preventing you from participating in your daily activities, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment at The Bone and Joint Center. Our board-certified orthopedic physicians treat knee bursitis and many other musculoskeletal issues, and our in-house physical therapists are key players in preventing injury in the future.
To schedule an appointment with us, call now at (800) 424-2663 or request an appointment here. We look forward to serving you!
