Infrapatellar bursitis causes pain and swelling under the kneecap due to inflammation of the fluid sacs in the knee joint. Treatment involves rest, cold therapy, and anti-inflammatory drugs, with cortisone injections or surgery as a last resort.
Infrapatellar bursitis is a condition that causes pain and swelling under the kneecap. It occurs when one of the infrapatellar bursae becomes inflamed, either from repetitive strain or direct impact. Treatment for this type of bursitis involves resting the injured joint and controlling the swelling with cold therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs. Sometimes a cortisone injection may be recommended if conservative treatment fails. Surgery to remove the bursa is considered a last resort but is an option if other treatments are ineffective.
Bursae are small fluid sacs found in the joints around the body. They help lubricate the joints and keep the tendons from rubbing on the bones. There are two infrapatellar bursae located above and below the tendon below the patella. They are known as the deep infrapatellar bursa, which lies below the tendon of the patella, and the superficial infrapatellar bursa, which lies above the tendon. If one becomes inflamed due to an injury, this is known as infrapatellar bursitis.
There are several potential causes of infrapatellar bursitis. Repeated friction of the bursa, which is the most common cause, can lead to inflammation and pain. The condition is sometimes known as “priest’s knee” because the bursa can be sore in the knee for long periods of time. Infrapatellar bursitis can also be the result of a direct impact injury to the region, although this is less common.
The primary symptom of infrapatellar bursitis is pain in the front of the knee below the kneecap. This pain often gets worse when the knee is put under stress. Sometimes a person suffering from infrapatellar bursitis may notice swelling around the area of the injury. Pain in this location is often mistaken for patella tendonitis, a condition caused by inflammation of the patella tendon, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis before treatment begins.
Treatment for infrapatellar bursitis begins with relative rest, which means avoiding all activities that cause pain. The patient should try to avoid kneeling or putting pressure on the area around the bursa as this can delay healing. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cold therapy can be helpful in reducing swelling and inflammation.
In some cases, conservative treatment for infrapatellar bursitis is ineffective. If rest, cold therapy, and NSAIDs fail to resolve the pain, a doctor may recommend that the bursa be aspirated. This involves removing fluids and injecting cortisone to reduce inflammation. Surgery is rarely needed in all but the most severe and difficult cases.
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