What Causes Knee Bursitis?

Commonly referred to as patellar bursitis or housemaid's knee, knee bursitis is a condition that results when the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles near your joints become inflamed. There are several types of bursitis, but the most common type is associated with overuse of the knee joint during activities such as running, kneeling, or stair climbing. Bursitis is usually a short-term condition that responds well to self-care measures. However, in some cases, bursitis can become a chronic condition that leads to persistent pain and disability. Today, our physical therapy Pembroke MA center is sharing what causes knee bursitis, along with additional risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options. Read on to learn more about what causes knee bursitis from our physical therapy Pembroke MA professionals.

Causes of Knee Bursitis

Bursitis most commonly results from the overuse of joints or an injury. In addition, your knee bursitis may indicate an underlying medical condition such as arthritis or gout. While these are more common causes of knee bursitis, there is a range of additional reasons that could be the culprit of your knee bursitis.

Additional Causes of Knee Bursitis:

• Infection: In some rare cases, an infection can cause bursitis. Individuals may be at a higher risk if they have an open wound on their knee.
• Poor posture: Slouching puts unnecessary strain on your knees, hips, and shoulders, which may lead to bursitis. You may be at greater risk if you have a sedentary lifestyle or spend long hours hunched over a computer.
• Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions—such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, and thyroid disease—can increase your risk of developing bursitis. Obesity can also play a role, putting excess strain on your weight-bearing joints.

When visiting Peak Physical Therapy Pembroke MA, your physical therapist will assess each symptom, pinpoint your pain, and determine a cause of your knee bursitis. From here, we will discuss treatment plan from what causes knee bursitis pain for you.

Complications of Knee Bursitis

In some cases, bursitis can lead to complications such as:

• Tendon damage: Repeated bursitis bouts can damage the tendons that move your joints (tendinosis).
• Arteries and nerves become trapped: In rare cases, Long-term compression of arteries and nerves can cause limb paralysis or loss of sensation. This condition is known as compartment syndrome and requires immediate medical attention.

Knee Bursitis Treatment Options

Bursitis usually goes away with the R.I.C.E. method and self-care measures such as ice and heat therapy. However, in some cases, medical treatment may be necessary to relieve pain and swelling.

Additional Knee Bursitis Treatments:

After exhausting your at-home treatment options and experiencing no relief, we recommend seeking further care to prevent further injury or developing more severe conditions.

• Oral anti-inflammatory medication: Medications such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with bursitis.
• Corticosteroids: Corticosteroid injections are anti-inflammatory medications that can be injected directly into an inflamed bursa to help reduce pain and swelling. We recommend using corticosteroids sparingly, as too many corticosteroid injections can actually weaken nearby bones and soft tissue structures (such as tendons).
• Physical therapist Pembroke MA treatment: Exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles around your joints can help reduce stress on these structures and prevent future episodes of bursitis.
• Surgery: In very rare cases where nonoperative treatments have failed to provide relief from pain, surgery may be necessary to remove an inflamed bursa.

Trust Peak Physical Therapy Pembroke MA For Knee Bursitis Pain Relief

Although you can treat knee bursitis at home, care plans become more difficult when you cannot find the source of what causes knee bursitis symptoms. At Peak Physical Therapy Pembroke MA, our expert physical therapist team develops custom care plans that treat your immediate symptoms and prevent future injury and pain. To learn more about our physical therapy treatment options for knee bursitis, visit our website or contact us today.