Bursitis of the knee
Information for patients
Physiotherapy Department
The aim of this leaflet is to give you some understanding about problems you are having with
your knee. It has been divided into sections; description of the knee joint bursae, what we
know about bursitis and your treatment options. It is not a substitute for professional
healthcare advice and should be used along with verbal information given by your GP or
Physiotherapist.
What is Bursitis?
There are a number of bursae in the body. A bursa is a
small fluid filled pocket that acts as a buffer or pad
between tendons and bones. The best way to imagine it
is like two bits of cling film with olive oil between them so
that it allows tendons to glide smoothly over the bone.
Bursitis is inflammation or swelling of the oil. There are
four bursae around the knee joint. They are all prone to
bursitis, which can be a painful condition. Sometimes it
can be due to trauma or overuse, but often it can occur
for no apparent reason.
How common is it?
It is less common than it was 100 years ago as we have less labour intense jobs. It was
common in the knee with housemaids who were kneeling while polishing floors. Nowadays it
is more common in people who run long distances and who are overusing their knee.
What are the symptoms?
•
Swelling at the knee.
•
Heat.
•
Redness in the area affected.
•
Pain on bending or straightening the knee.
•
Tight muscles or tendons around the knee.
What tests may be done?
The main way we diagnose bursitis is through what you tell us and by examining your knee.
We will take a detailed history of your complaint and assess all the different structures around
the knee that may cause extra pressure on the bursae affected. For example, tight hamstring
tendons can exert pressure on the bursa on the inside of your shinbone and rub it too hard
causing pain and swelling. You do not need any x-rays or scans to diagnose bursitis.
What are my treatment options?
•
Rest the knee.
•
Use ice packs. A tea towel wrapped around a bag of frozen peas makes a good ice pack.
Apply for 10 minutes twice a day.
•
Use a thick foam cushion or knee pads, to kneel on.
•
A physiotherapist can help by teaching you some exercises if your knee joint is stiff.
•
A stick or a cane can help with walking.
•
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can be taken for mild
to moderate pain caused by housemaid's knee. They also help to reduce inflammation.
Discuss this with your GP or pharmacist.
•
Steroid Injection can help to reduce the inflammation and swelling if needed.
Generally, the outcome is very good with appropriate treatment. You should find the
condition clearing up in a few weeks. Most episodes of bursitis will settle with treatment.
Surgery is not generally indicated unless the bursa becomes infected and antibiotics do not
help.
It will also be important to keep your knee moving (gently at first) and keep your muscles
strong so they do not weaken because you are using them less.
Exercises for your knee
If these exercises make you sorer for more than 30 minutes, stop them.
Repeat all the exercises ten times regularly throughout the day.
1) Lie on your bed. Bend you knee up and
down, use a strap to help if necessary.
Repeat ten times trying to get a little further
each time. You can apply ice before and after
this exercise.
2) Tighten up the thigh muscle and push your
knee straight, pull your toes up as you do it.
Repeating this can push some of the fluid out
of the knee. Repeat ten times regularly
throughout the day.
3) Sit on the edge of a chair and push your
heels into the ground.
Hold for ten seconds, repeat ten times.
Additional information
Additional information can be found on the NHSinform website: www.nhsinform.co.uk
Developed by Musculoskeletal Redesign Group and has been reviewed by patients, Allied
Health Professionals and medical staff.
Revised: 02/2015 Review: 02/2017 LN0698
Bursitis of the knee
Information for patients
Physiotherapy Department
The aim of this leaflet is to give you some understanding about problems you are having with
your knee. It has been divided into sections; description of the knee joint bursae, what we
know about bursitis and your treatment options. It is not a substitute for professional
healthcare advice and should be used along with verbal information given by your GP or
Physiotherapist.
What is Bursitis?
There are a number of bursae in the body. A bursa is a
small fluid filled pocket that acts as a buffer or pad
between tendons and bones. The best way to imagine it
is like two bits of cling film with olive oil between them so
that it allows tendons to glide smoothly over the bone.
Bursitis is inflammation or swelling of the oil. There are
four bursae around the knee joint. They are all prone to
bursitis, which can be a painful condition. Sometimes it
can be due to trauma or overuse, but often it can occur
for no apparent reason.
How common is it?
It is less common than it was 100 years ago as we have less labour intense jobs. It was
common in the knee with housemaids who were kneeling while polishing floors. Nowadays it
is more common in people who run long distances and who are overusing their knee.
What are the symptoms?
•
Swelling at the knee.
•
Heat.
•
Redness in the area affected.
•
Pain on bending or straightening the knee.
•
Tight muscles or tendons around the knee.
What tests may be done?
The main way we diagnose bursitis is through what you tell us and by examining your knee.
We will take a detailed history of your complaint and assess all the different structures around
the knee that may cause extra pressure on the bursae affected. For example, tight hamstring
tendons can exert pressure on the bursa on the inside of your shinbone and rub it too hard
causing pain and swelling. You do not need any x-rays or scans to diagnose bursitis.
What are my treatment options?
•
Rest the knee.
•
Use ice packs. A tea towel wrapped around a bag of frozen peas makes a good ice pack.
Apply for 10 minutes twice a day.
•
Use a thick foam cushion or knee pads, to kneel on.
•
A physiotherapist can help by teaching you some exercises if your knee joint is stiff.
•
A stick or a cane can help with walking.
•
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can be taken for mild
to moderate pain caused by housemaid's knee. They also help to reduce inflammation.
Discuss this with your GP or pharmacist.
•
Steroid Injection can help to reduce the inflammation and swelling if needed.
Generally, the outcome is very good with appropriate treatment. You should find the
condition clearing up in a few weeks. Most episodes of bursitis will settle with treatment.
Surgery is not generally indicated unless the bursa becomes infected and antibiotics do not
help.
It will also be important to keep your knee moving (gently at first) and keep your muscles
strong so they do not weaken because you are using them less.
Exercises for your knee
If these exercises make you sorer for more than 30 minutes, stop them.
Repeat all the exercises ten times regularly throughout the day.
1) Lie on your bed. Bend you knee up and
down, use a strap to help if necessary.
Repeat ten times trying to get a little further
each time. You can apply ice before and after
this exercise.
2) Tighten up the thigh muscle and push your
knee straight, pull your toes up as you do it.
Repeating this can push some of the fluid out
of the knee. Repeat ten times regularly
throughout the day.
3) Sit on the edge of a chair and push your
heels into the ground.
Hold for ten seconds, repeat ten times.
Additional information
Additional information can be found on the NHSinform website: www.nhsinform.co.uk
Developed by Musculoskeletal Redesign Group and has been reviewed by patients, Allied
Health Professionals and medical staff.
Revised: 02/2015 Review: 02/2017 LN0698