The knee is one of the most sensitive and frequently used joint systems in the human body. As such, it is exposed to many injuries that affect our routine, preventing us from performing activities as simple as walking or simply getting out of bed. Find out everything you need to know about knee bursitis, how to detect it early and how to avoid it here.
What is knee bursitis?
Bursitis consists of inflammation of a structure positioned near the joint called the serous bursa. These small sacs or bags, known as bursas, cushion and facilitate movements by reducing friction between the different bone structures, tendons and muscles. When the bursae become inflamed, they increase the flow of fluid that can cause a hematoma if there are broken blood vessels.
What are bursae and which ones exist?
As we have mentioned, lBursae are small sacs filled with joint or synovial fluid. This viscous liquid is responsible for lubrication that results in reducing friction between all parts involved in the skeletal system's joints, ligaments and tendons.
Most common symptoms of knee bursitis
The symptoms of this knee injury usually begin gradually and progressively worsen. The patient will suffer from swelling and sensitivity to touch, will notice that the temperature of the affected part of the knee rises, causing some heat in the area (it can also be an indicator of infection) and may suffer from pain when walking or even at rest. . If there is hemorrhagic bursitis, there will also be a completely visible hematoma.
Others common symptoms of knee bursitis They are pain when flexion or extension of the joint, limping or limping, stiffness of the area and limitation of movement.
Methodologies for the diagnosis of knee bursitis
This pathology or injury to the knee is frequently diagnosed by a trauma professional through a simple physical examination and medical history. Usually the trauma doctor will do the following:
- He will compare and observe the condition of both knees, in this way he will be able to detect if there is notable swelling.
- He or she will press and feel the affected knee to look for increased temperature, swelling, or pain to the touch.
- He or she will check for redness or other signs of infection in the area to be treated.
- Will perform careful movements to detect the extent of pain when bending or flexing the knee and if the range of motion is affected.
Diagnostic imaging
Although the Knee bursitis can be diagnosed through a clinical examination, the traumatologist, in many cases, in order to rule out other injuries with symptoms similar to those of bursitis, could request complementary diagnostic tests.
The most common imaging tests to diagnose Bursitis are magnetic resonance imaging or MRI, ultrasound, and x-rays.
Treatment for knee bursitis
Once the diagnosis of this injury is confirmed, the traumatologist will proceed to design a medical treatment and rehabilitation plan. The treatment of bursitis will depend on the extent of the injury and the existing damage to the patient's knee.
If there is infection, treatment should include taking medication to prevent the spread of the infection. Evolution can be prevented in its beginnings with the application of cold, or cryotherapy, for short periods of time, as well as with periods of rest.
For a non-invasive treatment of this injury, your trauma doctor may indicate anti-inflammatory medications or antibiotics, synovial fluid aspiration and cortisone infiltration, electrotherapy and massages.
In more serious cases, which cannot be solved with non-invasive treatments, a surgical treatment will be indicated through which the affected pocket will be removed.
Causes that trigger knee bursitis
Mostly Knee injuries are rooted in repetitive movements, joint overload, repetitive trauma and microtrauma..
Additionally, knee bursitis can be caused by movements that are maintained for a long time, causing continuous pressure on the joint, which causes subsequent inflammation.
Among other causes that increase the possibility of suffering from this pathology is the frequent practice of sports such as running, volleyball, soccer or other contact sports.
Overuse of the joints and especially the knee as a result of blows, falls and excessive weight can result not only in bursitis but also in many other injuries such as knee sprains, patellar tendinitis, torn cruciate ligaments and many others. If you exercise frequently and suffer from this or another injury, you can make a consultation with a traumatology specialist in sports injuries.
There are also pre-existing pathologies that can make the patient more vulnerable to suffering from bursitis, such as the following: chondromalacia patella, biomechanical deficit, rheumatism or gout, diabetes and other diseases.
How can I prevent knee bursitis?
To try to prevent this pathology, it is essential to act by avoiding the causes that trigger it. If you do physical exercise frequently, you should try not to expose your joints and knees to excessive weight and repetitive and often poorly executed movements.
It is important that When carrying out a sports routine, you have the support of a professional to adapt it to your physical possibilities and achieve the best results without causing injuries to your knee. or in other areas of the body. If in your work you must subject your knees to long periods of time flexed, it is important that you take all the necessary measures to reduce the risks of suffering from knee bursitis to a minimum.
It is essential that before designing a sports routine you consult with a professional so that it is properly adjusted to your possibilities without causing injury. At Elgeadi Traumatology we have the best knee specialists to clarify your doubts. Make an appointment at the best trauma clinic in Madrid.
23 thoughts on “Diagnóstico, síntomas y tratamiento de la bursitis de rodilla”
super good..the specification and orientation are quite clear.
Good morning, Conny.
Thank you very much for your words, they are really motivating.
All the best!
Good afternoon, thank you for the information, I have these symptoms, but it's been almost three months now, the doctor will send me to have an MRI to find out.
thank you
Good morning, Dianita.
Thank you very much for commenting on our blog. If you present these symptoms, at Elgeadi traumatology we recommend that you consult with a specialist traumatologist, so that they can carry out a complete study of your pathology and determine the most appropriate treatment. You can contact Prof. Dr. Elgeadi's team at the following link: https://elgeaditraumatologia.com/contacto/
All the best.
Very good explanation. Very detailed and guiding.
Thank you
Good morning María Soledad,
Thank you very much for your comment. If you wish, you can read more articles in our trauma blog.
All the best.
My Doctor diagnosed me with knee bursitis in October of last year, I had to stop until February, and in March after 5 months I started again from scratch, I started walking, the bad thing is that I overdid it and the problem returned
Good morning Fabian,
We are sorry for what happened, thank you for sharing your experience.
You can receive a diagnosis from our specialized traumatologists if you wish.
All the best.
Good afternoon, I was left with this trauma, if you can call it that, after a patella realignment that was done in January of this year. My question is whether it could have been caused by this reason, because before the surgery I did not have any symptoms about it.
Hello Mary, thank you for your question.
I don't know the technique they used, it would depend on several factors. In this case we would have to review the CT and MRI tests and evaluate the angles of the patella to know the cause. Please come to our consultations so we can evaluate it.
Very good information.
Thank you very much and blessings
Thank you for your words!
Thank you for that excellent information. I didn't know any of this until it happened to me. I currently have knee burcytis. .
My doctor is already halfway through treatment.
It took 17 days but I got it and
The heat does not reduce my question is why when you stand it hurts more and becomes stiff
What to do for this and if it is convenient to do massages.
Thank you so much
Hi Carlos,
It is always advisable to perform physical therapy to strengthen muscles and joints.
A professional physical therapist will help you carry out complete rehabilitation.
Greetings.
At the moment I encountered all the symptoms, the doctors noticed with an ultrasound that there was too much fluid in the area. They took a sample to see if I was infected and waiting for what follows. The bad thing is that Ninel gave me the medication. It takes away my pain, it hurts a lot. Move your foot god
I live in Colombia and I know that you have the expertise and specialists in this issue, but I regret not being able to go with you to be treated and to heal my knees. I was diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, bursitis and tendonitis.
Thank you very much for your explanation
Thank you for leaving your comment, Clara.
There are very good specialists in Colombia who can surely accompany you in the rehabilitation process.
Greetings.
Hello, my name is Alejandra.
They diagnosed infrapatellar bursitis, I've had 3 others and it's almost down
I complete the inflammation but I still have discomfort
Before I was lifting weights, my question is, will I be able to resume this activity?
Hi Alejandra,
There is a part of your message that is not clearly understood. You could come to an appointment or call us by phone to better understand your case and give you the necessary instructions to follow for your recovery.
Greetings
Hello…my name is Mireya, I live in Colombia. My problem is that I have swelling on the inside of my knee, apparently from accumulated fluid, but there's no pain or discomfort at all. However, I can see a rather large lump there. Could you tell me what it is?
Hello Mireya,
Thank you for writing to us. Unfortunately, we can't give you an assessment without seeing you in person or having medical tests completed. It's best to see a doctor so they can properly examine you and, if necessary, order imaging tests to make a clear diagnosis. Only then can we determine exactly what you have and what treatment would be most appropriate.
Greetings.
Hello, I'm from Peru and I was diagnosed with knee bursitis. When I walk, my entire leg hurts. I feel like my muscles and tendons are stretched. I have burning and pain. I have to walk slowly. Now I've noticed the pain is also moving toward my buttock. I was prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs.
Hello Patty,
We're sorry you're experiencing pain. It's important that you always follow your doctor's recommendations and complete the prescribed treatment. If you notice the pain intensifying, spreading, or limiting your mobility, it's a good idea to return for a more detailed evaluation. Additionally, in some cases, physical therapy can help reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and relieve pain.
Greetings.