Knee bursitis is a type of knee injury that occurs due to irritation or inflammation of the bursa. Bursas are small, fluid-filled sacs that sit near the joint of the knee and help reduce friction during movement. To better understand what causes this condition and how to treat it, consider the following guide.

Symptoms and Causes of Knee Bursitis

The primary symptoms of knee bursitis are tenderness, warmth around the area, stiffness, and pain. The pain can occur when you move, but it may also be present during periods of rest. Although this can happen due to forceful impact, bursitis usually results from spending too much time kneeling on hard surfaces. This is because doing so creates a lot of friction and irritation to the area, which can trigger inflammation. Other causes include repetitive friction from kicking or jumping, muscle tightness, knee swelling, or other knee injuries. 

Different Treatment Options 

There are a few different classifications of knee bursitis, so seeing your doctor is an important first step in treatment. After a diagnosis is made and other, more serious conditions are ruled out, you'll receive treatment that's primarily aimed at symptom relief. You may also need to take antibiotics if the knee bursa is infected. However, in most cases, your doctor will recommend plenty of rest, stretching, and icing the area.

You may also want to work with a specialist in sports medicine to help you strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee. In more serious cases that don't get better over time, you may need more invasive treatment. These treatments include corticosteroid injections to help reduce inflammation at the site, aspiration to remove fluid buildup, or surgery to remove the bursa completely. 

If you've recently experienced a knee injury or bothersome symptoms, trust the team at Associates in Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Dalton, GA. This orthopedic care clinic offers the latest resources and compassionate care to help you restore mobility, relieve pain, and receive the treatment you need to alleviate your symptoms. Their services are trusted by over 125 health care providers within the area and always provide compassionate, comprehensive care for their clients. To learn more about their various specialties and team of professionals, visit their website, or call (706) 226-5533 to schedule an appointment today.