Housemaid's Knee (Pre-patella Bursitis)

What is Housemaids knee or prepatella bursitis?

A small sack of fluid, known as a bursa, sits between a tendon and a bone to aid smooth movement of the tendon over the bone. They occur at various joints throughout the body, such as the shoulder, elbow and knee.

The bursa that lies in front of the kneecap is the pre-patellar bursa. When this becomes inflamed and swollen the condition is known as Housemaid's Knee. This injury can be acute or chronic (sudden / longer term).

What are the causes of prepatella bursitis?

An impact to the knee will cause the blood vessels to bleed into the bursa causing swelling and subsequently an inflammation. It can also be triggered by an infection as a result of a surface injury, such as a skin wound over the kneecap. In this case, bacteria may spread into the fluid within the pre-patellar bursa causing infection.

Chronic bursitis can recur over a period of time and is a longer term problem. Repeated damage to the knee for example from kneeling or work that involves a lot of pressure on the kneecap thickens the walls of the bursa causing irritation.

What are the symptoms of prepatella bursitis?

• The kneecap will be painful and tender.
• Kneecap may appear swollen and warm to the touch.
• Problems kneeling.
• An abscess or fluid filled lump may be visible over the patella.
• Possibly a tender lump floating underneath the skin on the kneecap.

What is the treatment of prepatella bursitis?

• RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) technique
• Taking NSAID's such as Ibuprofen
• Avoiding aggravating movements such as kneeling
• Knee pads or padded knee supports if kneeling cannot be avoided.
• Visit a sports injury professional to aspirate (suck off) some of the fluid within the bursa.
• Anti-biotic's may be prescribed.
• In more serious cases the bursa may be completely removed by surgical procedure.

Useful Products:

• Cold Therapy - apply ice or cold therapy to help ease pain and swelling.

Please see the Virtual Sports Injury Clinic for more information on how to treat Housemaid's Knee and other causes of knee pain.