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Pre-Patella Bursitis

What is Pre-Patella Bursitis?

The most common form of knee bursitis is pre-patellar bursitis. Its nickname is "housemaid's knee".

Pre-patellar bursitis causes and pain on top of the kneecap. The name "housemaid's knee" comes from the association of this condition with individuals whose work necessitates kneeling for extended periods of time. Pre-patellar bursitis is common in professions such as carpet layers and gardeners.

Pre Patella Bursitis

What is a Bursa?

A bursa is a thin sack filled with the body's own natural lubricating fluid. This slippery sack allows different tissues such as muscle, tendon, and skin slide over bony surfaces without catching.

A bursa is normally very thin, but they do present a potential space that can become inflamed and irritated. This is what is known as bursitis.

If the inflammation of bursitis is associated with trauma and a break in the skin or a puncture injury, the bursa can become infected, this is called infected bursitis, which may need antibiotics to fight the infection.

What are the Symptoms of Pre-Patellar Bursitis?

The symptoms of pre-patellar bursitis or knee bursitis include:

Swelling over the kneecap
Limited motion of the knee
Painful movement of the knee

The swelling of knee bursitis is within the bursa, not the knee joint itself. People often call any swelling of the knee joint "water on the knee," but it is important to differentiate fluid accumulation within the bursa, versus fluid accumulation within the knee joint.

Symptoms of pre-patellar bursitis are usually aggravated by kneeling, and relieve when sitting still.

How is Pre-Patellar Bursitis Diagnosed?

Your physiotherapist will provide you with a thorough quiz of your medical history and a physical examination of your knee to determine if you have pre-patellar bursitis. If there is localised swelling and you feel tenderness over the bursa when pressure is applied, a diagnosis is confirmed.

The diagnosis is the easy part, Your physiotherapist will also undertake a biomechanical analysis to determine what the cause of your bursitis actually is. Factors may include muscle weakness, tightness, pain inhibition, leg length discrepancy, training techniques and more.

How Can You Prevent Pre-Patellar Bursitis?

Pre-patellar bursitis is best prevented by maintaining flexible thigh muscles and reducing the amount of time you are in a kneeling position. Ice after kneeling is recommended to avoid an inflammatory response, which is the first stage of bursitis.

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