KNEE BURSITIS

KNEE BURSITIS 

Overview and Facts

Knee bursitis is a type of inflammation that affects the bursa, a small sac filled with fluids that are located near the knee joint, hence the name of the disease. The said bursa helps in friction reduction and cushions the pressure in most joints, mostly near the points wherein the bone meets with the tendons, muscles, and the skin.

Inflammation may occur on any bursa on either knee, wherein the disease usually affects the kneecap first. Sometimes, it can also affect the inner side of the knee, commonly below the said joint.

Affected patients have their mobility severely affected and they may suffer from severe pain in the knee area. Luckily, various forms of treatment are available for this disease to help patients alleviate pain and inflammation on their affected knee.

Types and Symptoms

TYPES

Currently, there are no other types of this particular disease that has been medically recorded.

SYMPTOMS

This disease’s symptoms and signs may vary from patient to patient, being highly dependent on the affected bursa and the leading cause of inflammation.

The noticeable symptoms for this are listed below:

  1. A warm feeling on the affected knee
  2. Affected knee feels tender and swollen when touched.
  3. Feeling pain when the affected knee is moved or when moving fast in general.

Some factors contribute to the inflammation, that will gradually make the symptoms mentioned above worse, such as the following:

  • A sharp blow to the knee
  • Frequent kneeling (on hard surfaces) that causes friction and irritation to the bursa

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

In diagnosing knee Bursitis, there are known two forms of diagnostic tests done for infected individuals, which are listed below:

Imaging tests are usually done via x-ray images to determine the diagnosis but are only done to exclude other factors that cause pain. If the x-ray test doesn’t work, additional imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI will be used instead, after doing a physical exam to the patient.

Laboratory tests are done when a doctor requires two separate tests to be done to the infected patient, either a blood test or a fluid analysis test extracted from the inflamed bursa to determine the leading cause of the joint’s inflammation and the accompanying pain.

TREATMENT

There are various forms of treatment for knee Bursitis. However, the best-known treatment for this is via natural healing over time. Nevertheless, other types of treatment are listed below:

  • Medication – usually is an antibiotic for inflammation that will be followed and maintained in a certain period for recovery.
  • Therapy – can be either physical therapy or an exercise meant to ease pain and prevent it from happening again in the affected area.
  • Injections – usually a corticosteroid drug type injected in the bursa that can eliminate the pain and inflammation on it.
  • Assistive devices – the use of walking-assist equipment like a walking cane can help patients alleviate the pain.
  • Surgery – usually used as a last resort wherein the surgeon or the physician will proceed to operation to target the affected area.

Related Articles

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]

TRICHINOSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]