Prepatellar Bursitis - Housemaid's Knee

Prepatellar bursitis, commonly called housemaid's knee, is an inflammation of the bursa in front of the kneecap.

Bursitis is an inflammation of a bursa, occasionally accompanied by a calcific deposit in the underlying supraspinatus tendon, the most common site is the subdeltoid bursa. Bursa is a small, sac-like structure, found mainly in joints, that protects bones and tendons from friction (for example, in the elbows and knees).

In most cases the cause is unknown, but it can be caused by such factors as injury, infection, and repeated friction. It is treated by rest; use of cold, followed by heat; anti-inflammatory drugs; and sometimes an injection of a corticosteroid drug. A bursa can become inflamed from injury, infection, or underlying rheumatic condition.

The treatment of any form of bursitis depends on whether or not it involves infection. If you modify your activities and stay off the affected joint, symptoms should resolve within two-weeks. In the meantime, you may want to take an anti-inflammatory drug such as aspirin to relieve discomfort and reduce the inflammation. If the pain is tenacious or acute, your doctor may inject a corticosteriod drug directly into the area. Infectious (septic) bursitis requires even further evaluation and treatment.

When bursitis occurs repeatedly in the same joint, the affected bursa may be removed surgically.

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