Bursitis

A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac found between soft tissues and bones. It lubricates and acts as a cushion to decrease friction between bones when they move. Bursitis refers to the inflammation and swelling of the bursa. Inflammation of the bursa in front of the kneecap (patella) is known as kneecap bursitis or prepatellar bursitis.

Kneecap bursitis is often caused due to pressure applied on the knees with constant kneeling, conditions such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis, a direct blow to the kneecap while playing sports such as basketball, football and wrestling, or due to infection.

Symptoms of kneecap bursitis include pain and swelling in front of the knee. You may experience tenderness, warmth and redness on the front of the knee.

Diagnosis is done by reviewing your medical history and performing a thorough physical examination. Fluid from your bursa may be removed for lab analysis. Your doctor may order imaging studies, such as X-rays, MRI and CT scans to rule out other causes.

Kneecap bursitis can be effectively treated with conservative therapy where your doctor advises sufficient rest, use of ice packs and elevation of the affected leg to reduce inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs may also be prescribed to alleviate pain and swelling, and antibiotics for infections. Sometimes the bursa may be aspirated with a thin needle to remove fluid and reduce swelling or corticosteroids may be injected at the region of the inflamed bursa to relieve pain. Surgery is performed only when conservative treatment is ineffective, which involves surgical removal of the bursa.

Goosefoot Bursitis of the Knee

A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac found between soft tissues and bones. It lubricates and acts as a cushion to decrease friction between bones when they move. Bursitis refers to the inflammation and swelling of the bursa. Goosefoot bursitis or pes anserine bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa present between the tendons of the hamstring muscle and the tibia (shinbone) on the inner side of the knee.

Goosefoot bursitis is often caused due to repetitive friction on the bursa, overuse of the joints during sports, osteoarthritis of the knee, obesity, medial meniscus tear, tight hamstring muscles and incorrect training techniques.

The primary symptom of goosefoot bursitis is pain on the inner side of the knee and/or on the center of the tibia, which may worsen with physical activity. When you present to the clinic with these symptoms, your doctor diagnoses goosefoot bursitis by ruling out other conditions with a thorough physical examination of your knee and X-ray imaging studies.

Goosefoot bursitis can be effectively treated with conservative therapy including rest, use of ice packs, anti-inflammatory drugs and injection of steroids at the region of the inflamed bursa to relieve inflammation and pain, and physical exercise to help improve range of motion at the affected region. Surgery is performed only when conservative treatment is ineffective, and involves the removal of the bursa.