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October 06, 2008  
EDUCATION CENTER: Knee Conditions
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  • Housemaid’s Knee

    Description

    Also known as Prepatellar Bursitis.

    The points of contact between your bones, tendons and ligaments are cushioned by small fluid-filled sacs called bursae (singular: bursa). When a joint is overused or injured, these bursae can swell up with extra fluid. As a result, they may push against the inner tissues within the joint, causing pain, inflammation, tenderness, and swelling known as bursitis. Since it most often affects those who are on their feet and kneel often, the condition is often called "Housemaid's Knee". If bursitis is left untreated, it can lead to pain and inflammation in the soft tissues, which may restrict the motion in that knee and cause pain when it is moved, and bone spurs.

    Symptoms

    • Pain bending your knee
    • Pain around the knee; on top of the knee or just below the knee
    • Warmth around the joint, especially after walking
    • Stiffness
    • Swelling

    Bursitis is not usually accompanied by fever, although the joint area may feel mildly warm.

    Cause and Risk Factors

    Causes
    • Injury
    • Overuse
    • Pressure on one joint for a long time

    Risk Factors

    • Strenuous activity
    • Repetitive action

    Treatment

    Immediate Action
    • Know your physical limitations.
    • If symptoms suggesting bursitis continue for more than a few days, consult your doctor. Activity modifications, medications, and surgical intervention may help reduce the effects of the condition. With any recent injury, use RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
    • For frequent pain, if the joint is not warm or swollen, heat may help relieve some of the joint pain.
    • Mild exercise will loosen and strengthen joints.

    See your doctor If:

    • You have pain in one joint for several days straight
    • You take prescription painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs, but swelling persists.
    • Your persistent pain was triggered by a recent injury

    Procedures
    For severe cases, it may be necessary to drain the fluid from the joint with a needle. In very severe cases, surgery may also be considered to remove the affected bursae.

    Prevention

    Avoiding overuse of the knee joint will help reduce the risk of bursitis. Increasing physical exercise or weightlifting by no more than 10 percent a week should help avoid irritating the bursae within your knees. Take steps to avoid knee strain or injury and pay attention to ergonomics in daily activities, such your desk and work surroundings.

    Last updated: 26-Oct-01

       
     
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