Bursitis is the inflammation produced in a pocket located in the knee due to fluid accumulation. The function of this bag is to act as a shock absorber between the bones, muscles, and tendons. Consequently, pain around the joint is experienced when pressure is applied, as well as swelling and redness. It is an ailment caused, in most cases, by an overload, and the accumulation of fluid can be accompanied by blood due to the rupture of the blood vessels, generating a hematoma. If you want to know more about this ailment, at FastlyHealwe, will inform you about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of knee bursitis.
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Types of knee bursitis
The swelling that causes bursitis can occur in different knee parts where the bags are found. Based on the inflamed bursa, several types of knee bursitis are distinguished.
- Prepatellar bursitis . It is the most frequent inflammation and takes place in the front part of the patella. It is usually accompanied by moderate pain that increases when supporting the knee.
- Anserine bursitis . The swelling is located in the inner part of the knee, and the pain appears when movements such as going up and downstairs are carried out. It is more common in women who are overweight or arthritic.
- Iliotibial bursitis l. The inflammation is accompanied by pain in the outer part of the knee and occurs in athletes.
Causes of bursitis
Bursitis can have its origin in two leading causes. The first, known as mechanical or traumatic bursitis, is due to a contusion or excessive pressure of the knee as well as continuous friction of the bursa due to some movement; the second, called systemic or metabolic bursitis, is caused by other ailments such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, wounds, or infections.
Bursitis will be considered acute or chronic depending on how long the inflammation lasts. When we talk about acute bursitis, we refer to swelling for a short period. It usually appears when doing some exercise or bearing more weight than usual, such as lifting weights or praying. Second, chronic bursitis lasts for a few weeks, and the cause is the presence of different acute bursitis or having had a poorly healed acute bursitis.
Symptoms associated with knee bursitis
The most common symptoms that can occur when a person suffers from knee bursitis are the following:
- The pain usually appears when performing a movement that involves stress on the knee, in addition to stiffness and lameness.
- Inflammation of one of the knee parts, depending on the type of bursitis that the person suffers. If the inflamed area is pressed, the pain increases.
- On some occasions, a hematoma may be seen due to the accumulation of blood. In this case, we speak of hemorrhagic bursitis.
- Heat is accompanied by redness in the affected part of the knee.
- Occurrence of fever due to septic bursitis due to infection caused by a wound.
Symptoms are often seen together and are easily detected. Therefore, the person will immediately feel pain when the swelling occurs.
Treatment of knee bursitis
In most cases, knee bursitis does not require surgical intervention. It is recommended to apply ice to the area where the inflammation has occurred several times a day, as well as to rest and avoid doing exercises or activities that involve working the knee. When the rash does not disappear, one of the most common treatments is the administration of corticosteroids, an anti-inflammatory substance that reduces inflammation and pain. In the same way, what is known as plasma rich in growth factors can also be applied in order to facilitate the regeneration of tissues? Also, it does not involve surgery. In cases where it is necessary, arthroscopic surgery allows you to visualize the inside of the knee and perform a surgical intervention to heal the damaged area. Both local and general anesthesia can be used in this procedure. In the case of septic bursitis, treatment will be based on the administration of medications to eliminate the infection that causes the accumulation of fluid.
Some of the recommendations to avoid suffering from knee bursitis are:
- Exercise our body. Play sports to keep bones, tendons, and joints in shape.
- Warm-up before doing physical activity through proper stretching.
- Avoid those postures that involve overexertion of the joints.
- Maintain a balanced diet to keep our bones and joints in good shape.
- Avoid being overweight by maintaining an appropriate weight for our height and age.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Knee Bursitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment , we recommend that you enter our Bones, Joints and Muscles category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.