Knee Bursitis
Knee bursitis is a common cause of localised pain and swelling around the knee. It occurs when one of the small fluid-filled sacs around the knee, called bursae, becomes irritated or inflamed.
At Momentum Joint Care, we offer doctor-led assessment and ultrasound-guided injection treatments for selected cases of persistent, non-infective knee bursitis.
Knee bursitis can cause:
Localised swelling around the knee
Tenderness over one specific area
Pain with kneeling
Pain when walking, climbing stairs or exercising
Warmth or irritation around the affected bursa
Symptoms that worsen with pressure or repeated activity
A very hot, red, rapidly worsening swelling, or feeling generally unwell, may suggest infection and needs urgent medical assessment.
Many cases of bursitis improve without injection.
Initial treatment may include:
Rest from aggravating activities
Avoiding kneeling or direct pressure
Ice and compression
Anti-inflammatory medication where suitable
Physiotherapy if symptoms are linked to weakness, overload or altered biomechanics
Addressing contributing factors such as knee osteoarthritis or training load
If the bursa is significantly swollen, aspiration may be considered. This involves removing fluid from the bursa with a needle.
Aspiration may help reduce pressure and discomfort. It can also be important if infection or crystal inflammation needs to be excluded (usually done in the hospital environment).
Corticosteroid injections are anti-inflammatory injections that may help reduce pain and swelling in persistent, non-infective bursitis.
A steroid injection may be appropriate when:
Symptoms have not settled with simple measures
The bursa remains painful or swollen
Infection has been excluded
Pain is limiting walking, kneeling, work or exercise
The bursitis is recurrent or persistent
Steroid injections are not suitable if infection is suspected.
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is not routinely used for knee bursitis.
There is some limited evidence for PRP in pes anserine bursitis or tendinobursitis, but overall the evidence is much stronger for conditions such as tendinopathy and mild to moderate osteoarthritis.
For most patients with knee bursitis, treatment usually focuses on reducing inflammation, managing swelling, avoiding pressure, addressing the underlying cause, and considering aspiration or corticosteroid injection where appropriate.
If knee bursitis is not improving with rest, activity modification and other conservative measures, we can help.
Following assessment, we will discuss whether aspiration, corticosteroid injection or continued conservative management is most appropriate for your symptoms.