Knee bursitis is a disease that occurs as a result of inflammation of the joint capsule. Often, as a result of injury or heavy physical exertion, the synovial membrane of the knee joints begins to secrete an excess amount of intra-articular fluid.
This is a protective reaction of the body that helps relieve excessive tension from the joint and minimize the negative impact of the traumatic factor.
However, at some point, there is so much intra-articular fluid that it is no longer processed by the body and begins to accumulate in the cavities of the synovial membrane, which leads to the occurrence of bursitis of the knee joint, the symptoms and treatment methods of which we will discuss in this article.
Why does knee bursitis occur and what is it? The causes of bursitis are not always identified. Very often it occurs completely unexpectedly and seemingly without reason.
The development of the disease may be preceded by:
Depending on which bursa is inflamed, the following types of bursitis are distinguished:
According to the type of course, bursitis can be acute (suddenly occurring, proceeding very brightly and ending just as quickly) and chronic (currently sluggish and long). Therefore, the symptoms and treatment regimen for the disease will directly depend on the type and form of bursitis.
The symptoms of bursitis of the knee joint are pronounced. It has certain characteristics:
With prolonged mechanical irritation of the bursa, chronic knee bursitis can develop. In acute bursitis, pathological changes will be expressed by obvious inflammation of the walls of the bursa.
We offer detailed photos for viewing of what knee bursitis looks like.
To figure out how to treat bursitis of the knee joint, the doctor must not only diagnose it, but also determine the cause of its development. One of the most important aspects of diagnosis is confirmation of the aseptic nature of the inflammation, for which a puncture of the bursa is performed.
In general, diagnosing this disease is not a problem - an experienced specialist only needs to conduct a general examination and palpation examination.
If bursitis of the knee joint is detected, therapeutic measures are aimed at eliminating the cause of inflammation and reducing its severity. This requires an integrated approach, including:
Specific treatments for knee bursitis depend on the nature of the disease. For aseptic inflammation of the synovial bursa, the treatment regimen usually includes:
In the case of septic (purulent) bursitis, antibiotics are first prescribed. Removal of pus from the bursa by aspiration and drainage of the joint capsule are also indicated.
At the moment there are a large number of anti-inflammatory ointments:
Compresses with dimexide and a 0.5% solution of novocaine, taken in proportions of 1:3, are applied externally:
The duration of use of such a compress should not exceed 30 minutes, as severe burns can occur.
Over time, all traditional methods have been tested for effectiveness. At home, you can use only the best of them:
Also, if the disease worsens, you can apply ice cubes tightly fixed with a bandage to the knee joint.
Surgery for bursitis is rarely required and is prescribed as a last resort when traditional drug therapy has failed.
Indications for surgery:
During surgery, the inflamed joint capsule is removed, which leads to disability for the patient.
The speed at which knee mobility is restored is largely dependent on the efforts of the patient himself. To shorten the rehabilitation period, it is necessary to perform physical exercises and play sports.
It is necessary to avoid activities that lead to the formation of microtraumas of the joint. At this stage, folk remedies are effective: infusions and compresses that reduce swelling.
Prevention of the disease consists of proper distribution of loads during work or training, preparing the ligamentous apparatus to accept force, ensuring safe conditions, and eliminating the possibility of injury.
Anyone who has suffered from any form of knee bursitis should periodically use kneecap elastics. It is they who will support the knee and provide compression, which will reduce the degree of load on the knee joint.
If the skin is damaged, it is necessary to thoroughly treat it with an antiseptic, or apply an antibacterial ointment or patch. All emerging phenomena of pyoderma, as well as any rashes in the knee area, must be subjected to timely treatment.
Foot anserine bursitis is an inflammatory process affecting a certain part of the synovium of the knee joint. Most often found in older people, the disease is considered a complication of deforming arthrosis. In rare cases, this pathology is diagnosed at a young age. This is due to prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position or frequent knee injuries. Experts identify other reasons why anserine bursitis of the knee joint may occur.
The anserine bursa is located in the area of the anterior surface of the lower leg. This section is surrounded by tendons and muscle tissue. Moreover, the crow's foot lies at the junction of these elements with the tibia. The most common causes of bursitis are the following:
Anserine bursitis is somewhat less common than the inflammatory process in the lining of the hip joint. The point is the special location of this area, due to which it is practically not subject to friction.
Inflammation of the joint capsule of the knee joint is associated with its injury; the area of the anserine pes is less frequently damaged. Such conditions are almost always accompanied by tissue inflammation. When the pes anserine is affected, tendinitis often occurs - a change in the condition of the tendons and muscles connecting to the tibia.
Arthritis of the knee joint that is not treated in time causes degenerative changes in connective and cartilaginous tissues. It is difficult to identify the pathological process that precedes bursitis.
Characteristic signs of the inflammatory process in the area of the crow's feet are pain in the inner part of the knee, which intensifies during walking and physical activity. Similar symptoms may occur with other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Any inflammatory process, including bursitis, is accompanied by a slight increase in body temperature and chills.
In rare cases, swelling appears in the affected area. The examination of the patient begins with an external examination, with the help of which diagnostic signs of the disease are identified. It is necessary to consult a doctor if you experience even minor discomfort in the knee area.
For bursitis of the knee joint, treatment must begin with eliminating infections that can trigger the inflammatory process. These include syphilis, gonorrhea, and brucellosis.
During therapy, it is necessary to immobilize the joint. For this purpose, tight bandages and warm compresses are used.
To get rid of discomfort, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and painkillers are used.
Antibacterial agents are used for purulent forms of bursitis. The drug is injected into the joint cavity, which helps to quickly relieve inflammation.
In the early stages, external painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs can be used. Ointments and creams are applied to clean skin several times a day.
To restore mobility of the affected area, special gymnastics is used. A set of exercises is developed taking into account the stage of the disease and the individual characteristics of the body. Exercise therapy is an auxiliary method of treating anserine bursitis. Physiotherapeutic procedures help alleviate the general condition. As the articular membrane is restored, the load on the knee must be gradually increased. To do this, it is recommended to engage in sports, such as swimming.
Surgical treatment is prescribed for chronic forms of bursitis. During the operation, inflammatory exudate is pumped out of the joint cavity, after which it is treated with special preparations. This prevents bursitis from becoming purulent. In the post-traumatic form of the disease, intra-articular injections of hydrocortisone are given, which quickly relieves pain and swelling.
Treatment of pes anserine bursitis becomes effective only if started in a timely manner. The possibility of a full recovery depends on the following factors:
Alternative medicine products are aimed at:
Their use does not imply abandonment of traditional therapeutic methods. For external use, compresses are prepared from vegetables - potatoes, beets, cabbage. They are cut into thin slices and placed on gauze, which is wrapped around the sore knee. The top of the compress is covered with plastic wrap and a warm cloth. The product is left on the leg overnight. Treatment helps relieve pain and inflammation.
The next day, the potatoes are replaced with fresh beets, then chopped cabbage is used. Treatment is continued until the symptoms of the disease disappear completely.
A compress with sugar is considered no less effective. It is heated in a dry frying pan until softened. Hot sugar is poured into a canvas bag, which is tied to the sore joint for several hours. Plastic film and woolen fabric are placed on top. The procedure is carried out daily until complete recovery.
Celery tea is good for treating bursitis. This drink improves the general condition of the body and eliminates chronic inflammatory processes. 1 tbsp. l. seeds, pour 200 ml of boiling water and leave for 2 hours.
Knee bursitis is an inflammatory disease. It affects the periarticular bursae of the knee joint with the accumulation of exudate in them. The knee joint is the most vulnerable due to its position and fragility, which is why it needs the closest attention.
The main reasons for the development of bursitis are:
prolonged loads on the knee joint (as a result of which the muscles are constantly in a tense state and, as a result, gradually become thinner);
damage to the skin in the area of the knee joint (this may be a catalyst for the formation of infections);
open wounds in the knee area;
any form of sepsis (has a positive effect on infection and the formation of cysts, including numerous ones);
excessively high body index (for this reason, there is also a significant load on the knee joint, as a result of which it remains weakened);
concomitant diseases, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, gout or psoriasis (you need to be especially careful with them, because they provoke the formation of a chronic form of bursitis).
Moreover, each type of bursitis has individual provoking factors, more on this later in the article.
Signs indicating knee bursitis are:
change in the shape of the knee;
slight swelling in the soft tissue area (soft tissue changes color, which remains unchanged for a week);
redness and changes in the skin to the touch (the skin becomes hot);
inability to move the knee joint.
The severity and nature of manifestations depend on the location of bursitis.
There are three types of knee bursitis, namely prepatellar, infrapatellar and suprapatellar. Baker's cysts, which are tumor-like formations in the popliteal region, and septic bursitis should be included in a special group.
The name of each of the presented types of bursitis is just the type of bursa that is located in the knee joint. If it becomes damaged and is not cured on time, it becomes inflamed and suppurates, which is bursitis at a late stage. Depending on its location, problems may arise during treatment and even diagnosis.
The peculiarity of prepatellar type knee bursitis is that it is located in the upper part. This pathology begins to appear just above the patella. In this case, pain is observed during extension and flexion of the knee. The prepatellar type manifests itself even more intensely with increasing load.
Its diagnosis and subsequent treatment are extremely simple and do not pose any difficulties. It is this type of disease that most often manifests itself in people over 60 years of age and takes on chronic forms. With this development of events, treatment is practically impossible or ineffective. As a result, a person loses the ability to fully move.
A Baker's cyst is a growth in the hollow behind the knee that is soft and rubbery to the touch. This cyst is characterized by the fact that the skin over the swelling remains of a normal color and is not fused with adjacent tissues. Thus, it can be easily determined by touch, even without being a specialist.
The neoplasm protrudes most intensely when the knee is in an extended state. In the process of bending, its dimensions become smaller or it completely ceases to be visible to the eye. With more significant parameters of the Baker's cyst, swelling in the knee joint may become obvious.
The main complaints should be considered:
lack of comfort, feeling of pressure and pain in the area under the knee;
the presence of swelling in this area;
inability to move the knee joint;
sudden locking of the knee muscles.
Treatment of the formation can be either conservative or surgical. The second method is much more effective and often used.
Infrapatellar bursitis of the knee occurs when the bursa under the kneecap near the main tendon becomes inflamed. The reason for the formation of such bursitis is most often an injury to one of the tendons near the synovial bursa.
Mostly, this is an occupational disease that occurs in athletes - runners and jumpers. Therefore, very often it becomes chronic and, at the same time, can be caused by genetic factors.
This form of the disease is identified as a consequence of infection, which, in turn, begins to develop as a consequence of the active influence of microbes.
Penetration in this case is carried out through injured skin or minor trauma. In certain situations, the cause of the inflammatory process of the periarticular bursae are microbes that are inside the body and provoke illnesses in other organs and tissues.
This form is characterized by a severe course, and its treatment must be carried out as soon as possible, because if it is not carried out on time, the formation of gangrene and amputation is likely.
A characteristic feature should be considered the presence of a round tumor in the upper area of the knee joint, which does not hurt. Moreover, it has a soft consistency and dimensions of up to 10 centimeters.
Patients are faced with serious signs of the disease, such as malaise, pain in the knee area, decreased mobility of the knee, and high temperature that does not decrease during the day.
In certain cases, this type of bursitis may become chronic due to deposits of calcium salts in the joint area. With such a diagnosis, a surgical intervention is carried out, the purpose of which is to remove all deposits from the joint.
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Diagnosis of the presented disease is a fairly simple process if inflammation of such a bag, which is located on the surface, has occurred.
In any case, the diagnostic algorithm is based on the usual signs of the clinical type. It is also possible to make the diagnosis easier by puncturing the cavity of the bursa. This makes it possible to identify by the content what the nature of the inflammatory process is, which can be purulent, serous, purulent-hemorrhagic.
As part of the diagnostics, it is necessary to establish the characteristics of the microflora and the degree of its sensitivity to drugs. This will help outline further treatment and identify preventive measures.
If we talk about aseptic bursitis, then conservative treatment methods will be more than effective for a speedy recovery. First of all, those who are sick should be provided with complete rest and maintain an elevated position of the knee. This is done in order to reduce blood flow to the knee area, this immediately reduces pain and significantly reduces swelling.
Compresses with ice should be applied to the knee area several times a day, but it is recommended to leave them for no more than twenty minutes. The specialist should evaluate the inflammation and, most likely, if it is not too pronounced, will recommend simple and effective exercises. They will ensure an optimal degree of mobility in the knee area.
When inflammation is associated with serious pain, the specialist prescribes anti-inflammatory drugs, which are used either orally or as a cream. Often we are talking about corticosteroids, which are introduced into the area of the synovial bursa. If there is a suspicion of infection, then the specialist prescribes antibiotics.
In order to prescribe antibiotics, clinical signs are not always sufficient; it may be necessary to carry out laboratory research methods.
To significantly reduce the volume of fluid in the inner part of the bursa, fluid is pumped out from the area of the synovial bursa. As a result of these actions, not only swelling, but also pain is noticeably reduced. Samples of the available liquid are sent for analysis to a special laboratory.
The resulting test results make it possible to find out which antibiotics are best suited for combating specific flora.
Speaking about Baker's cyst, which can appear in childhood, it should be noted that in many cases treatment is not required. When the course of the disease occurs without pronounced symptoms, the doctor does not intervene and the disease goes away after a certain time.
With chronic bursitis, as with significant infection, when medications do not have the desired effect, surgery may be necessary. In this case, a drainage is placed in the bursa area or a bursectomy is performed.
To successfully get rid of bursitis, hospitalization is not always necessary. If bursitis does not show any signs of infection, then the treatment process can be carried out at home. At the same time, at the slightest increase in symptoms or the appearance of a new symptom of the disease, it is necessary to contact a specialist as quickly as possible.
In order to avoid re-inflammation of the synovial area, it is advisable to continue treatment until complete recovery, so that joint motility has time to recover to the required extent. In the future, you should watch out for strengthening your leg muscles. Special exercises are best suited for this; it is also recommended to avoid hypothermia in the knee area so that the blood supply to the muscular system is always sufficient.
Anyone who has suffered from any form of knee bursitis should periodically use kneecap elastics. It is they who will support the knee and provide compression, which will reduce the degree of load on the knee joint. In addition, all people who have experienced bursitis are advised to exclude those manipulations that are accompanied by emphasis on the knee area. Together with medications, it is necessary to carry out massage and physiotherapeutic procedures (electrophoresis, restoration with paraffin, as well as a magnet). Special physical training can also be effective.
All this is carried out already at the last stage of treatment. The goal of these measures is to completely eliminate inflammation, stabilize the knee and expand the range of motion in the joint.
Thus, today there are quite a lot of methods for treating knee bursitis and each of them is effective. That is why it is important to notice the manifestations of the disease in time, because in this case it will be possible to get rid of it in a matter of weeks without serious emotional and material costs.
Author of the article: Muravitsky Igor Valerievich, rheumatologist
Prepatellar bursitis is a condition characterized by tissue damage and inflammation of the knee bursa (the small fluid-filled sac that sits between the kneecap and the skin). The main sign of bursitis development is pain in the affected area.
There are several types of bursitis of the knee joint, depending on the involvement of a particular joint capsule in the inflammatory process.
In addition to the prepatellar bursa, in the knee area there is also a suprapatellar articular bursa, which is located at the junction of the knee cartilages. Its inflammation is called suprapatellar bursitis. However, despite the different names, the symptoms of the diseases remain almost the same.
The most common factors leading to the development of knee bursitis are:
The development of inflammation in the knee joint is typical not only for athletes. This condition can develop in any person even after a minor injury:
Knee bursitis is classified:
The main symptoms of knee bursitis include gradually increasing pain and swelling just in front of the kneecap. In less severe cases, swelling may not be observed, and the patient is concerned about stiffness of movement, which increases with prolonged physical activity. At the initial stage, pain, on the contrary, may subside as blood flow in the joint area improves, that is, with moderate loads, the patient’s condition may improve.
Other signs include:
The pain begins just above the kneecap and can spread to the back of the knee and inner thigh, as well as up or down the leg. The pain intensifies when crossing your legs, as well as when standing up after sitting in one position for a long time. A patient with prepatellar bursitis cannot kneel.
An indirect symptom is sleep disturbance. This is because the pain when bending the leg or changing body position can increase significantly, depending on the severity of the inflammation. Many patients, based on their own feelings, recommend placing a pillow between the knees (or thighs) while sleeping.
Restriction of mobility occurs as the disease progresses, when untreated inflammation becomes more pronounced, causing severe pain when bending the leg. Over time, muscle weakness and dystrophy develop in the affected limb.
Timely and correct treatment of acute bursitis stops the progression of the disease and it does not become subacute and then chronic.
Prepatellar bursitis is the most common and involves inflammation of the subcutaneous bursa on the front of the knee. The cause may be padagric arthritis, salt deposition due to pseudogout, rheumatoid arthritis, and also often occurs after a bruise, injury, fall on the knee or professional, if the work requires frequent kneeling. Unlike arthritis, the pain is not severe and the limitation of movement is not significant. When the contents in the bursa cavity become infected, the lymph nodes enlarge, the pain intensifies, and the body temperature rises.
Infrapatellar bursitis - occurs due to inflammation of the bursa located under the tendon under the kneecap, most often develops after jumping or injury. Treatment consists of rest, cold compresses, NSAIDs, and painkillers.
Anserine bursitis (Baker's cyst) is an inflammation of the bursa located at the back of the inner surface of the knee joint. It occurs more often in overweight women and is accompanied by pain, which is more pronounced when going up or down stairs.
Most cases of prepatellar bursitis are treated with physical therapy. The frequency of positive results largely depends on the participation of the patient himself. One of the key components of treatment is adequate rest after any physical activity that leads to increased pain.
If deterioration occurs after physiotherapy, the tuberculous etiology of the disease should be excluded, since massage, thermal procedures and physiotherapy lead to worsening and progression of the disease in extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis.
Actions that have a pronounced irritating effect on the joint capsule of the knee joint should be kept to a minimum. Once the patient feels that he can perform these activities without associated pain, gradual restoration of activity will mean that there is no further increase in severity and the patient's condition is improving.
Ignoring symptoms or trying to adapt to pain can lead to the disease becoming chronic. Therefore, it is important to begin treatment immediately, regardless of the severity and condition of the patient.
When the course of the disease becomes chronic, the healing process slows down significantly and the likelihood of relapse in the future increases.
Treatment of bursitis of the knee joint in the initial phase takes place in the following mode: Ice - Rest - Pressure - Elevation. This regimen allows for significant improvement to be achieved if measures are started within the first 72 hours after injury.
Gentle mode includes:
The healing process can be accelerated by the use of anti-inflammatory drugs that have an analgesic and decongestant effect.
Manual therapy can help improve the course of the disease:
With proper physical therapy, most mild cases usually heal with restoration of normal function within a few weeks. In more severe and chronic cases, recovery may take much longer.
Also, there is a higher likelihood that the patient will require additional interventions (corticosteroid injections). Early initiation of physical therapy is necessary to speed up the recovery process and ensure an optimal outcome of the disease with a decrease in the likelihood of its recurrence.
Special exercises play an important role in treatment:
Tighten the muscles on the front of your thigh (quadriceps) by placing a small towel under your knee and trying to straighten your leg. Place your palm on the inside of your thigh so you can feel the tension on the inside of the muscle as it contracts. Lock your leg in this position for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat the exercise 10 times with as much force as possible, but without causing pain.
Bend and straighten your leg at the knee joint with the greatest possible amplitude, but without causing pain. Repeat 10-20 times, provided that the symptoms of the disease do not increase during the exercise.
Eliminate squats, repetitive knee bending, leg crossing, and other similar exercises from your training program.
Bursitis of the knee joint, the treatment of which has had no effect, may require surgical intervention in the form of aspiration (suction) of the contents of the joint capsule and the injection of corticosteroids into it.
This procedure is performed using a thin needle under local anesthesia. After draining the joint capsule, the doctor may inject hormonal drugs into it - corticosteroids. This is necessary in order to stop the inflammatory process. Then it is necessary to continue wearing the elastic bandage and ensure long-term rest of the limb (usually 48 hours). This treatment is much more effective than treatment with medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), since tablet forms have a general effect on the body, often without penetrating into the joints.
In rare cases, treatment is ineffective, and the only option is surgical removal of the prepatellar joint capsule. Restoration of normal joint functions after such an operation occurs within a few days, and a return to a full life without restriction of physical activity can be achieved in 2-3 weeks.
If bursitis is of infectious origin (the penetration of bacteria into the joint capsule), then to prevent the development of purulent complications, it is necessary to promptly begin treatment with antibiotics. The selection of the drug is based on determining the sensitivity of the pathogen. If after the start of treatment the disease continues to progress, the joint capsule is opened and surgically cleaned.
In addition to knee pads, to improve the condition, relieve swelling, inflammation and pain, you can use ointments with anti-inflammatory components (see the article ointments for pain for more details):
New to the market of assistive therapeutic devices is the Knee Inferno Wrap ® knee brace, which stimulates local blood flow due to exposure to radiation in a certain spectrum.
The device emits light in a range almost identical to sunlight. Due to this, additional energy is generated, received by the patient’s body and used to enhance recovery processes.
Since the device acts locally, the energy flow penetrates deep into the joint capsule and promotes the rapid removal of toxins, dead cells and accelerates the growth of new tissue, increasing its elasticity.
There are several simple tips on how to prevent the development of such an unwanted disease:
Bursitis is a disease that is accompanied by purulent-inflammatory tissue damage. With prolonged development of the disease, exudate forms in the cavity. If, after treatment of bursitis, the problem area is injured, the disease develops into a chronic form. In this article you will learn about the symptoms of knee bursitis and how to treat it at home.
There are quite a few reasons for the occurrence of bursitis. Any, even minor injuries (bruises, various wounds) can become infected. In this case, the bag becomes infected through the lymphatic ducts, which causes boils, deep bedsores and other purulent formations to appear.
If any mechanical impact or increased tension is applied to the inflamed area, the disease becomes chronic. Uncomfortable shoes, excess weight, metabolic failure, joint changes, improper removal of corns, calluses, poisoning, allergies, autoimmune diseases - these are the most common causes of the disease.
Symptoms of bursitis and treatment at home
Bursitis develops gradually, but in any case it requires treatment at home. First, exudate accumulates in the periarticular bursa, then purulent purulent inflammations grow into adjacent tissues. In this case, intermuscular, subcutaneous bulging phlegmons appear. Without timely treatment, non-healing fistulas or purulent arthritis appear.
With exacerbation of bursitis in the knee joint (after injury), the disease develops a little differently. The cavity of the bag is filled with blood or plasma. The walls thicken and become overgrown with connective tissue, causing new pockets to appear.
Bursitis is divided into several types, but in all cases it affects the joints. Inflammation in the hip joint occurs after injuries, muscle strain, obesity, and sedentary work.
Elbow bursitis
Inflammation in the knee type of bursitis is divided into classes: prepatellar and suprapalellar. Prepatellar bursitis involves inflammation above the kneecap and occurs after constant pressure on the knees. During the course of the disease, damage occurs under the kneecap. Most often, the disease occurs due to injury. The popliteal type appears when the inner surface of the knee becomes inflamed and, without treatment at home, develops into a Baker's cyst.
Symptoms and treatment at home
With bursitis of the feet, there can be several types of inflammation. Bursitis of the thumb occurs after a deformation of the joint, causing the finger to deviate inward. The bone sticks out. This leads to bone friction and inflammation. The following symptoms appear: redness, swelling, pain, joint deformity. Achilles bursitis occurs where the heel tendon attaches to the bone. It manifests itself as redness and swelling of the heel. Without treatment, bursitis develops into rheumatoid arthritis.
To determine bursitis, an x-ray and puncture are done. This allows you to determine the nature of the disease, that is, hemorrhagic, purulent or serous. In this case, treatment at home with medications is selected. After diagnosing bursitis, it is recommended: rest of the sore spot, warm compresses, bandages.
Surgical treatment of bursitis
Chronic bursitis involves removing the resulting exudate and washing the inside of the bursa with antiseptic and antibiotic drugs. In the purulent type, the pus is removed. Treatment at home of any type depends on the severity of the disease. Protecting the problem area after healing, treating wounds with antiseptics, and applying bactericidal dressings protect against relapse.
Brusitis finger symptoms
Bursitis should be treated at home at the slightest manifestation, as this will avoid further problems in the future. Keep an eye on your legs and joints, then you will be able to identify any disease based on symptoms in time and begin treatment. Do not allow ordinary joint disease to develop into chronic disease.
In the pathology of bursitis of the knee joint, symptoms and treatment depend on the location and type of disease. Therapy is carried out according to proven schemes, but its success is reflected in the correctness of the diagnosis and the patient’s compliance with all medical recommendations.
The functionality and stability of the knee is ensured by its unique structure. One of the important structures that are responsible for the safety of the joint are the periarticular bursae (bursae). There are a dozen of these capsules, filled with liquid and lined with epithelium on the inside, around the knee. When any of the bursae become inflamed, bursitis is diagnosed.
The type of disease depends on the location of the inflamed capsule . With prepatellar bursitis, the bursa located in front of the patella becomes inflamed. Often observed in people whose activities involve leaning on the knee. With suprapatellar bursitis, inflammation is concentrated above the patella. The top bag is the largest. Therefore, with such bursitis, the tumor can reach significant volumes.
With pes anserine bursitis, which is not so common, the swelling is observed on the medial side. This bursa is located at the junction of the three tendons on the lateral inner side. With infrapatellar bursitis, the pathology affects the bursa located below the knee. The main reason is a direct blow.
Baker's cyst is classified as a separate category . The pathology is considered a benign tumor that forms in the popliteal fossa. It may be associated with both rupture of the synovial membrane and inflammation of the bursae. In addition, the type of disease, and, accordingly, the symptoms and treatment of knee bursitis, depend on the nature of the fluid that accumulates during inflammation. Serous, purulent and hemorrhagic exudate is found in the bags.
The bags become inflamed under the influence of both external factors and internal pathologies. Traditionally, bursitis is a sports disease, since the pathology occurs against the background of blows, bruises, and careless movements, which is typical for active sports.
The disease is experienced by people whose daily or professional activities involve squatting, kneeling, and standing for long periods of time. Therefore, the name bursitis is found as a disease of “housewives” and “roofers”. The risk of bursa inflammation increases under the influence of increased stress on the joints, which is observed with excess weight.
Problems with bags occur when infection enters the joint. In such cases, there is a high probability of purulent bursitis. If we talk about internal diseases that provoke bursitis of the knee joint, the symptoms and treatment will be characteristic of the main pathologies.
Inflammation of the periarticular bursae is observed against the background of:
Important! In the presence of provoking pathologies, in addition to symptomatic treatment, basic therapy aimed at eliminating the underlying pathology is required.
During the inflammatory process in the bursa, the patient is bothered by painful sensations, which usually intensify under the influence of tension and during movement. Usually the acute form of the disease is accompanied by intense pain. In chronic pathology, the pain is aching and less intense. At rest, in some cases the pain does not bother you, but it manifests itself with certain movements.
The main sign of bursitis is a swelling that is clearly palpable . Moreover, palpation causes pain. A tumor with clear boundaries and mobility in the presence of superficial bursitis is recorded. If the deeper bursae are inflamed, the bumps are not visualized. The size of the tumor depends on the volume of exudate in the bursa. Therefore, it varies from barely noticeable to reaching 10 cm.
There is slight redness and hyperemia on the skin. Problems with motor abilities are explained by the presence of pain. If bursitis has an infectious etiology, the main symptoms are accompanied by an increase in temperature up to 39 0 C.
Baker's cyst, located in the popliteal fossa, can rupture in advanced cases. In such situations, burning pain appears in the lower leg, which is caused by the leakage of exudate into the periarticular tissue.
The symptoms accompanying bursitis are not specific. Similar signs, with the exception of the presence of characteristic bumps, are observed with joint damage, inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Therefore, based on symptoms or photos of knee bursitis, it is impossible to select effective treatment without examination.
Faced with incomprehensible symptoms, patients most often try to find suitable methods of treating knee bursitis in the virtual world, or consult with friends, or try to get a correspondence consultation via the Internet.
Of course, on medical forums, experienced patients will tell you everything about bursitis of the knee joint, symptoms and treatment, and show photos. But trusting correspondence diagnostics and advice is simply stupid. This disease requires competent diagnosis, without which it is impossible to select adequate treatment methods.
First of all, doctors perform a visual examination and palpate the formation. Superficial forms of bursitis do not cause problems in diagnosis, as they are easily visualized. However, differential diagnosis is necessary to exclude lipoma, hyangioma, and other benign or malignant tumors.
More detailed diagnosis is required for deep types of bursitis, because they are not visible visually. Determine the type of illness and the complexity of the pathological process using:
An informative method of diagnosis is puncture. Drawing fluid helps identify the type of exudate in the bag. If examination of the obtained material confirms the presence of infection, bacterial culture is performed to determine the sensitivity of pathogenic particles to drugs.
Based on the examination results and symptoms of knee bursitis, a treatment method is selected. Uncomplicated forms of pathology are treated by orthopedists or traumatologists. If bursitis requires a surgical solution, surgeons deal with the disease.
Symptoms of bursitis of the knee joint indicate the presence of a dangerous disease, as it can become chronic without adequate treatment. Serious complications include calcareous deposits and fistulas. Therefore, it is important not just timely therapy, but also well-chosen methods of influencing the disease, and patient compliance with treatment and rehabilitation recommendations.
In the acute phase, the sore leg is provided with rest . Any load on the joint is eliminated. Immobilization is carried out using orthoses, splints, splints, and elastic bandages. In difficult cases, a plaster cast is applied.
To reduce swelling, ice compresses are applied to the inflamed area. Keep the ice or heating pad for about 15 minutes. The compresses are repeated periodically.
Provided for symptoms of knee bursitis and drug treatment. Several groups of drugs are selected:
In addition to medications, bursitis is treated with ointments. During the acute period, anti-inflammatory and cooling ointments such as Voltaren, Nise-gel, Ortofen, Fastum gel are required.
When signs of inflammation are eliminated, treatment is continued with warming ointments. These can be products made from the venom of bees and snakes: Apisatron, Viprosal. Ointments with hot pepper also help: Capristin, Camphocin. Mellivenon and Finalgon also have a warming effect. Warm up the knee using a compress with medical bile, Dimexide. To treat purulent bursitis, bandages are made using Vishnevsky ointment.
Surgical procedures are also provided if treatment does not bring results, and a large volume of fluid has accumulated in the bag. In such a situation, therapy begins with a puncture, which helps to extract exudate. Thanks to the puncture, swelling decreases and the patient feels significant relief. The manipulation ends with the introduction of hormonal drugs into the bag.
If a large volume of purulent exudate accumulates, the bursa opens. After removing the pus, surgeons treat the open cavities with antiseptic agents and apply antibiotics. For complex bursitis, surgery is required. Burectomy involves complete or partial excision of the bursa.
Traditional therapy refers to auxiliary methods and does not exclude the main treatment.
Important! It is prohibited to begin treatment for bursitis according to popular advice until diagnosis is made and the true cause of the disease and the type of disease are identified.
Traditional medicine recommends using for bursitis:
During the rehabilitation period, treatment of bursitis is supplemented with physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises and massage.