The bursa is a sac containing fluid that sits in front of the kneecap, otherwise known as the patella. Prepatellar bursitis causes this sac to become inflamed, which can lead to pain, problems with mobility, and other bothersome symptoms. Prepatellar bursitis is rarely serious, but proper management of the condition is crucial to ensure a prompt recovery process.
Certain factors, such as being middle aged or older and having a weakened immune system, can increase one’s risk of experiencing this type of bursitis. However, knee injuries and repetitive movement, like frequently kneeling at work, can cause this condition in anyone. In some cases, prepatellar bursitis can result from an infection, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
Prepatellar bursitis is often easy to self-diagnose. Most people experience three distinct symptoms, although you can be afflicted by the condition and not have all three at once. Symptoms to watch for include:
If an infection is present, a person can also experience symptoms like fever and skin discoloration (red, pink, or purple). With infection, it is important to be assessed by a medical professional as soon as possible.
A bursitis diagnosis can be confirmed with a physical examination, diagnostic imaging, and prepatellar bursa aspiration, a procedure that entails taking a fluid sample from the bursa sac using a thin needle to check for infection. These steps can also determine the severity of prepatellar bursitis, which plays an integral role in treatment.
When inflammation is the only issue, doctors will typically recommend the following treatments:
Doctors can also administer a steroid injection to further reduce inflammation. And in the event of an infection, antibiotics may be necessary. Doctors can also use surgical drainage to treat infection. In severe cases, a procedure called a bursectomy, or removal of the bursa sac, may be needed.