Bursa or Bursitis

There are a number of small lubricated friction reducing sacks around the knee to separate and allow freer movement between structure that would otherwise rub badly. Such as the skin at the front of the knee when kneeling has to move freely on the underlying bone The prepatella bursa, superficial infrapatella bursa and deep infrapatella bursa are all in this area. At the inner side of the knee the hamstring tendons are separated from the bone by a bursa (the semimembranosis bursa). These bursae can get inflamed and swollen causing a lump and pain in these areas. Initial teatment is rest and anti-inflammatory tablets and cream. Aspiration of the bursa and injections of steroid into the bursa may be necessary. Finally if the bursa keeps recurring then arthroscopic or open removal may be necessary.