Prepatellar bursitis, or knee bursitis, is a condition characterized by pain and swelling in the knee joint area, usually above the kneecap. Prepatellar bursitis specifically causes the inflammation of the thin, fluid-filled cushions (the bursa) that protect the knee joint, absorb shock and help prevent irritation when tendons, skin and ligaments pass over the knee bone. Due to age or trauma, however, prepatellar bursitis can set in when the bursa become inflamed and cause a great deal of discomfort.

Bursitis can also affect other areas of the body, including the elbows, shoulders and feet.

Causes of Prepatellar Bursitis

Prepatellar bursitis is also known as Housemaid’s Knee, since many people who spend a lot of time kneeling (such as on a floor to clean, lay carpet, fix a dripping sink, etc.) develop this condition. Athletes who could potentially sustain trauma to the knee, such as those playing football, are also at risk.

Numerous different factors, however, can cause the development of prepatellar bursitis, including:

Repetitive motion can cause prepatellar bursitis.
Twisting or rapidly moving the knee joint can result in prepatellar bursitis.
Overusing/ abusing the knee joint may lead to the development of prepatellar bursitis.
Age can also be a contributing factor to prepatellar bursitis.
If you have gout or rheumatoid arthritis, you may be predisposed to prepatellar bursitis.

Major Symptoms of Prepatellar Bursitis

As stated above, the main symptom of prepatellar bursitis is pain and swelling of the knee joint. Prepatellar bursitis, however, can also cause the following symptoms:

You may have trouble moving your knee joint if you develop prepatellar bursitis.
Sometimes, prepatellar bursitis can even cause a complete loss of motion.
Heat can emanate from the knee joint if you have prepatellar bursitis.
Your knee may feel weak if you have prepatellar bursitis.
You may also feel increased pain in the morning, or after being immobile for extended periods of time, if you come down with prepatellar bursitis.

You can worsen these symptoms of prepatellar bursitis when kneeling down, and they are usually relieved when sitting still.

Treating Prepatellar Bursitis

The best way to ease symptoms of prepatellar bursitis is to rest and stop doing whatever is aggravating the pain and swelling, such as kneeling or playing sports.

You can also try these treatments for symptoms of prepatellar bursitis:

RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
Take anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen.

In severe cases of prepatellar bursitis, your doctor may recommend draining or even taking out the bursa.

If you have any questions about prepatellar bursitis, see your doctor. See more products that help with knee pain like Prepatellar Bursitis.

Information on foot, leg and lower body health conditions like prepatellar bursitis provided by The Podiatry Institute, dedicated to advancing the standard of care in podiatric medicine and its effects on musculoskeletal health.