Knee bursitis

Diagnosis

Knee bursitis is frequently diagnosed by healthcare providers through a medical history and physical examination. Your physician will:

• Physical examination: Healthcare providers will assess both knees to differentiate the condition. Healthcare provider will press on the area of the knee and assess for any swelling and pain. The skin will be inspected for tenderness, redness, and any other signs of infection.
• Knees will be carefully checked for pain during range of motion by moving the bending or flexing.
• Imaging tests: Healthcare provider will recommend one or more of the imaging tests listed below to help rule out injuries that can produce signs and symptoms similar to those of bursitis:
  • X-ray: To ensure that the patient do not have a bone injury that is causing their discomfort and swelling, healthcare provider may have to get an X-ray of their knees.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A strong magnetic field and radio waves are used in MRIs to create precise images of the internal structures. With this technology, soft tissues like bursae that could cause the swelling.
  • Ultrasound: Ultrasound technology, which uses sound waves to create images in real time, can assist the healthcare provider in better visualize swelling in the afflicted bursa.
• Aspiration: If the patient has gout or an infection in the bursa, a sample of the bursa fluid may be taken for testing by inserting a needle into the affected area and draining some of the fluid.

Treatment

Treatment for bursitis typically aims to alleviate symptoms and may involve multiple approaches depending on the cause of the condition and the affected bursa. Some common treatment options may include:

• Medications: Healthcare provider will recommend an antibiotic treatment plan if an infection is to cause for the knee bursitis. Pain and inflammation can also lessen with the aid of anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen.
• Therapy: Flexibility and muscle strength can be improved with the assistance of a physical therapist or sports medicine professional. With this treatment, patient might experience less pain and fewer occurrences of knee bursitis in the future. If patient cannot help kneeling, protective knee braces or compressive knee sleeves could be helpful.
• Surgical and other procedures: The following more invasive procedures can be used to treat knee bursitis.
• Corticosteroid injection: Healthcare provider may administer an injection of a corticosteroid medication into a bursa that has been affected by bursitis if it is not responding to standard treatments. In most cases, the inflammation goes away quickly, but patient can experience pain and swelling for a few days after the injection.
• Aspiration: To decrease extra fluid and manage inflammation, healthcare provider may aspirate a bursa. The afflicted bursa will be punctured with a needle, and fluid will be drawn into the syringe. They might need to wear a knee immobilizer for a short time after the injection to lessen the possibility of repeated swelling. Aspiration may cause temporary discomfort and edema.
• Surgery: Healthcare provider may advise surgery to remove the bursa if patient have severe chronic or recurring bursitis and don’t respond to other therapies.