Pain Joint

When you have an ache or a pain, you may think to yourself, "This will go away," or "Oh, it's nothing." Everyone should pay close attention to what their body is telling them, because these can be signs of more serious problems. When it comes to your knees, an ache here and there can be considered normal. You walked too long, climbed too many stairs, or did too many reps during that workout, but that pain in joints could be bursitis.

Bursitis of the knees, or "Prepatellar bursitis," can affect anyone. This inflammation of the bursa in front of the kneecap commonly occurs in people who spend extended periods of time kneeling, and this pain in joints can affect your normal lifestyle dramatically.

What's A Bursa?

Bursa is a fluid-filled sac which releases fluid to lubricate the muscles and tendons, allowing them to move freely. There are four bursae located around the knee joint. These are all prone to inflammation or bursitis, but the prepatellar bursa between the skin and the kneecap is the most commonly affected bursa.

What Causes Prepatellar Bursitis?

Trauma or injury-A fall or a direct blow to the knee, such as banging it on a hard object.

Recurrent or repetitive use-Applying pressure to the kneecap over long periods of time, such as a carpet installer or someone who plays sports.

Infection-The fluid in the prepatellar bursa can become infected and cause bursitis. This is common in children and normally occurs after a cut or injury to the skin covering the surface of the knee. Infection usually occurs when bacteria or germs are allowed to spread.

Gout -People who have gout are more likely to get bursitis. Gout is a build-up of uric acid crystals. Uric acid is a chemical in the blood that is normally passed out with urination. When you have gout, the uric acid crystals build up and remain within the joint, causing pain and swelling.

How do I Know if I Have Prepatellar Bursitis?

The most common symptoms are redness over the knee and the area may be tender to touch. You may also have difficult bending the knee or walking. If your prepatellar bursitis is caused by infection, you may have a fever as well as chronic joint pain.

Can Bursitis Be Cured?

Normally prepatellar bursitis symptoms will resolve in a few weeks with rest and medication. There are new all natural supplements available that reduce pain and inflammatory and support knee health. Your physician may also recommend joint therapy or a home exercise regimen. If your condition is chronic or recurrent, the affected bursa may need to be removed. If there area is infected, you will require antibiotics to treat the infection.

Prevention of Prepatellar Bursitis

Care should be taken to protect your knees. The use of knee pads or some type of support is highly recommended if you engage in any activities that require prolonged or repetitive kneeling. If you have previously suffered from bursitis, this is especially important to prevent recurrence.