Knee Bursitis: Treatment, Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention Health ConditionsFeaturedBreast CancerIBD MigraineMultiple Sclerosis (MS)Rheumatoid ArthritisType 2 DiabetesSponsored TopicsArticlesAcid RefluxADHDAllergiesAlzheimer's & DementiaBipolar DisorderCancerCrohn's DiseaseChronic PainCold & FluCOPDDepressionFibromyalgiaHeart DiseaseHigh CholesterolHIVHypertensionIPFOsteoarthritisPsoriasisSkin Disorders and CareSTDsDiscoverWellness TopicsNutritionFitnessSkin CareSexual HealthWomen's HealthMental HealthSleepOriginal SeriesFresh Food FastDiagnosis DiariesYou’re Not AlonePresent TenseVideo SeriesYouth in FocusHealthy HarvestNo More SilenceFuture of HealthPlanHealth ChallengesMindful EatingSugar SavvyMove Your BodyGut HealthMood FoodsAlign Your SpineFind CarePrimary CareMental HealthOB-GYNDermatologistsNeurologistsCardiologistsOrthopedistsLifestyle QuizzesWeight ManagementAm I Depressed? A Quiz for TeensAre You a Workaholic?How Well Do You Sleep?Tools & ResourcesHealth NewsFind a DietFind Healthy SnacksDrugs A-ZHealth A-ZConnectFind Your Bezzy CommunityBreast CancerInflammatory Bowel DiseasePsoriatic ArthritisMigraineMultiple SclerosisPsoriasisFollow us on social mediaShopProducts by ConditionInsomniaStress ReliefBack PainNeck PainSleep ApneaHot SleepersAllergiesPain ReliefProduct ReviewsVitamins & SupplementsSleepMental HealthNutritionAt-Home TestingCBDMen’s HealthWomen’s HealthHealth ConditionsDiscoverPlanConnectShopSubscribe

Knee Bursitis Treatment and Causes

Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT, Physical Therapy — By Tyler Read, BSc, CPT on October 20, 2022Share on Pinterestm-gucci/Getty ImagesIf you have swollen, painful knees that are tender to the touch, you may have knee bursitis. Knee bursitis is very common among people ages 40 to 60. Even so, many adults don’t know how to recognize knee bursitis, how to treat it, and when to seek medical intervention if they need it. This article will explain what knee bursitis is, how to prevent it, and what to do if you may have this condition.

Knee bursitis treatment

Most acute cases of bursitis heal in time, given adequate rest and recovery. So, if you notice any of the symptoms of knee bursitis, take a break from any physical activity that irritates your knee joint and wait until your condition improves to resume your daily tasks. Managing symptoms of knee bursitis usually includes ice, rest, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. Sometimes your medical team may advise aspiration of the bursa, 2020 research suggests. In aspiration, a healthcare professional will remove some of the fluid in the bursa sac. This allows doctors to test the fluid to ensure it’s not septic (infected). If they find that the fluid is septic, they’ll likely prescribe antibiotics as well. If your knee bursitis becomes chronic, or long lasting, your doctor may suggest corticosteroid injections in addition to the more conservative treatments listed above.

What is knee bursitis

Knee bursitis is swelling or inflammation of the bursa, the small fluid-filled sac located between either the skin and the tendon or the tendon and the bone. “Bursae” is the Latin word for bags. These bags act like tiny pillows, which cushion different joints in the body. Bursitis develops when these sacs become inflamed, 2018 research explains. Fluid may build up around the joint, a process called effusion. In the case of the knee, the bursae help protect it when you rest your knee on a hard surface. This helps reduce friction between the soft tissue and bone. There are over a hundred bursae throughout your body. When excessive pressure is placed on these sacs — either from repetitive use or a direct blow — it can cause the bursae to become inflamed and swell.

Symptoms of knee bursitis

Symptoms of knee bursitis include pain around the knee when touched as well as any visible swelling around the joint or swelling you can feel around the area. You may notice tenderness, redness, or warmth around your knee. In the case of septic bursitis, you may also have a fever and chills.

What causes knee bursitis

Frequent, sustained pressure on a joint is the most common cause of bursitis. Each year 1 in every 10,000 people will develop it in their knees or elbows. Most cases of knee bursitis come from excessive kneeling during activities. The colloquial name for knee bursitis is housemaid’s knee because of the long hours that maids would spend on their knees during work. To this day, people in certain professions are more likely to experience knee bursitis, including carpenters, tile installers, roofers, and gardeners. Sitting at a computer for extended periods of time may also contribute to a higher risk of bursitis, 2018 research suggests. Other causes of bursitis may include: a direct blow to the kneebacterial infectioncomplications from arthritis or gout

Prevention of knee bursitis

Common approaches to prevent knee bursitis include wearing kneepads and taking breaks from any job that requires you to kneel often, 2018 research advises. Healthcare professionals may also recommend physical therapy and range of motion exercises, 2022 research suggests. Strengthening the muscles around the bursa can often help support the knee. If bursitis doesn’t improve with conservative treatment, you and your doctor may decide that surgery is an option. Surgery is usually a last resort treatment, however.

Frequently asked questions about knee bursitis

Can I walk with knee bursitis

You can walk, but if you have acute knee bursitis, you may want to avoid excessive movement until symptoms decrease.

What causes knee bursitis to flare up

Flare-ups can result from repeated pressure on the knee, a direct blow to the knee, bacterial infection, or underlying inflammatory conditions like gout or rheumatoid arthritis.

What does knee bursitis feel like

Most people will feel pain in and around the knee joint at rest, but even more when moving. You may also feel warmth and tenderness in the affected area, and you may develop a fever if you have a bacterial infection.

Does knee bursitis ever go away

The outlook for most patients with bursitis is good, according to 2022 research. With adequate rest, bursitis should heal in a few weeks. If you have repeated flare-ups that don’t go away, seek medical treatment.

The bottom line

Knee bursitis is an inflammation of the bursae between your tendons, skin, and bones at the knee joint. If you notice swelling, pain, or redness around your knee and you have been participating in an activity that places pressure on that knee, you should rest your knee as much as possible. Do not continue any activity that will irritate your knee until the bursitis goes away. If you work at a job that requires you to spend hours on your knees, try to take frequent breaks so you can avoid excessive swelling in your joints. Stand up, stretch, and wear knee pads. If you have any chronic health conditions that could trigger a case of bursitis, be mindful to manage your symptoms and seek medical intervention if needed. Rest assured, while knee bursitis is not a pleasant experience, it is a curable condition that does not typically result in permanent damage. Last medically reviewed on October 20, 2022

How we vetted this article

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Bursitis: Overview. (2018).
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525773/Chatra PS. (2012). Bursae around the knee joints.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3354353/Rishor-Olney CR, et al. (2022). Prepatellar bursitis.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557508/Sato M, et al. (2020). Housemaid's knee (prepatellar septic bursitis).
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7549991/Williams CH, et al. (2022). Bursitis.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513340/Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Oct 20, 2022 By Tyler Read, BSc, CPT Edited By Saralyn Ward Medically Reviewed By Gregory Minnis, DPT Copy Edited By Chris Doka Share this articleMedically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT, Physical Therapy — By Tyler Read, BSc, CPT on October 20, 2022

related stories

7 Common Causes of Inner Knee PainSuprapatellar BursitisWhat Might Cause Sudden Knee Pain?What's the Difference Between Arthritis and Sciatica?Talonavicular Arthritis Overview

Read this next

7 Common Causes of Inner Knee PainMedically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. Inner knee pain is often caused by an injury. Common incidents leading to knee injury includes falls, collisions in sports, or increased activity…READ MORESuprapatellar BursitisMedically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. Suprapatellar bursitis is when your suprapatellar bursa becomes inflamed. Your suprapatellar bursa can be found just above your knee. Most cases will…READ MOREWhat Might Cause Sudden Knee Pain?Medically reviewed by Timothy Gossett, M.D. Sudden knee pain can result from repetitive stress, a traumatic injury, or flare-ups from another underlying condition. Learn what might cause sudden…READ MOREWhat's the Difference Between Arthritis and Sciatica?Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. Arthritis and sciatica can both affect the spine and cause back pain. But they don't have the same cause, and they have different treatments and…READ MORETalonavicular Arthritis OverviewMedically reviewed by Stella Bard, MD Talonavicular arthritis (TA) occurs when the cushioning surrounding the talonavicular joint in the foot wears down.READ MORELumbar Laminectomy: What to Expect After SurgeryMedically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M.D. Lumbar laminectomy is a surgery to treat spinal compression in your lower back. It involves removing the rear of one or more vertebrae. It’s usually a…READ MOREUnderstanding Testicle Pain Caused by Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)Medically reviewed by Stella Bard, MD Yes, ankylosing spondylitis can cause pain outside of the spine, including in the testicles. Let's look at the treatments available.READ MOREThe 5 Best Thumb Braces for Arthritis of 2022Medically reviewed by Nancy Carteron, M.D., FACR Read about splinting and our roundup of options to help you find the best thumb brace for you.READ MOREUnderstanding Periarthritis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Periarthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs when calcium crystals build up in and around joints. Learn about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and…READ MORE*clone Market VIP* The 11 Best Mattresses for Lower Back Pain in 2022Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT These 11 picks are some of the best mattresses for lower back pain. Offering medium-firm support, they’ll help keep you aligned and rested.READ MORE