Knee bursitis is the inflammation of fluid-filled sacs around the knee, known as bursae. It can occur due to repetitive motions, constant pressure on the knee, or injuries, and cause pain, tenderness, and swelling.
When experiencing these symptoms, proper diagnosis is crucial. Symptoms like pain and inflammation might be signs of deeper issues like tendon damage [1].
Common treatments, such as painkillers or corticosteroid injections, can offer short-term relief. However, they don’t solve the underlying problem and can have severe side effects. If left untreated, these problems may lead to long-term pain and complications, as well as an over-reliance on
medications.The Regenexx approach provides a non-surgical alternative to address the causes of knee pain. Interventional orthobiologics can help promote the body’s natural healing processes without the complications associated with surgery or long-term medication use.
Defining the Anatomy of the Knee
The knee is one of the body’s most complex joints. It connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia). At the front of the knee is the patella, or kneecap. This is a small, triangular bone that protects the main knee joint.
The bones in the knee joint are connected by strong bands of tissue, ligaments and tendons. Ligaments connect bones and stabilize the knee joint. Tendons attach muscles to bones, facilitating movement.
Bursae are small sacs filled with fluid that act as “cushions”. They reduce friction on pressure points between bones and the tendons or muscles near the joints.
Adults have around 160 bursae in the body [2]. They are located around major joints like shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.
Each knee contains 12 bursae. Five of them play a primary role:
- Prepatellar bursa: Located between the skin and the kneecap.
- Infrapatellar bursae: Located below the kneecap, they cushion the patellar tendon.
- Suprapatellar bursa: Located above the patella, between the thigh muscle and the knee joint.
- Pes anserine bursa: Located on the inner side of the knee, under the hamstring tendon.
- Semimembranosus bursa: Located on the inner side of the knee, near the semimembranosus muscle.