What is the Best Knee Bursitis Treatment? Top 5 Knee Bursitis Treatments

When you first develop bursitis, you may notice a dull ache around your kneecap. This pain may intensify when you walk, run, crouch, or climb stairs. You may also feel a burning or stinging sensation. The skin over the affected bursa may be red and warm to the touch.

There are a few different ways to treat knee bursitis, depending on the severity of your condition. If you have mild bursitis, you can treat it at home with rest, ice, and over-the-counter medications. You can also try wearing a knee sleeve to compress the area and reduce swelling. If your knee bursitis is more severe, you may need to see a knee pain doctor for a corticosteroid injection or to have the fluid removed from the bursa with a needle (aspiration).

Knee Pain Doctor NYC is a state-of-the-art medical center led by interventional pain management doctors in New York. Our knee pain doctors always administer comprehensive imaging tests to diagnose the root cause of knee pain, following which they curate a personalized treatment plan consisting of conservative solutions and minimally invasive treatments. You can find our knee pain doctors in Midtown Manhattan or the Financial District, a short walk from the 9/11 Tribute Museum. Please schedule an appointment with your nearest knee pain doctor in New York.

Below, we describe the best knee bursitis treatments.

One of the most effective treatments for bursitis is the RICE method. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Let’s take a closer look at each of these four steps:

• Rest: Rest is essential for healing. When you have bursitis, you need to give your joints a break. Avoid activities that aggravate your pain, but don’t immobilize completely. A little bit of movement is good for you. Stretching can increase blood flow and reduce stiffness.
• Ice: Ice is a tried-and-true method for reducing pain and swelling. Apply a cold pack to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Don’t put ice directly on your skin. Wrap it in a towel first.
• Compression: Wrapping an elastic bandage around the affected area can reduce pain and swelling. Start at the farthest point from your heart and work your way back. Don’t wrap the bandage too tightly. You should be able to slip a finger under the bandage.
• Elevation: When you elevate your leg, it reduces swelling. Prop your leg up on a pillow when you’re sitting or lying down.

Physical therapy for knee bursitis usually involves a combination of exercises and manual therapy techniques. The goal is to reduce pain and swelling and improve the range of motion and strength. Exercises may include range-of-motion exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Manual therapy techniques may include joint mobilization and massage. Your physical therapist will design a treatment plan based on the severity of your condition.

Aspiration involves draining the bursa with a needle and syringe. This can be done in the knee pain doctor’s office or clinic. Aspiration is often successful in treating knee bursitis because it removes the fluid responsible for the swelling and pain. It can also reduce the risk of the bursa becoming infected. Aspiration is usually quick and easy; most people can go home shortly after the procedure.

Epidural steroid injections can relieve the pain and inflammation from bursitis. The corticosteroid medication is injected into the epidural space in your spine, i.e., the soft area surrounding the spinal cord and nerves. The medication then travels through the spinal cord to the inflamed area to reduce inflammation and pain. Epidural steroid injections are done as a series of injections. The number of injections depends on the severity of your symptoms.

Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa, a small sac of fluid that acts as a cushion between tissues in the body, such as the bone and muscles. Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, a tough, fibrous cord that connects the muscles to bone.

Multiple bursitis-tendonitis syndrome is characterized by the inflammation of multiple bursae and tendons. This condition can be caused by overuse, injury, or infection. Symptoms of multiple bursitis-tendonitis syndrome include pain, stiffness, and swelling. The treatment for multiple bursitis-tendonitis syndrome involves rest, ice, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections.

Yes, gout can cause hip pain. Gout is a type of arthritis that can affect any joint in your body, including your hip. When gout attacks your hip, you may experience sudden, severe pain. You may also notice swelling and redness around the affected joint. Hip pain caused by gout can make it difficult to walk or even stand.

Bursitis usually develops slowly and may only cause minor pain and discomfort at first. However, if left untreated, bursitis can become worse, leading to more severe pain, joint stiffness, and difficulty moving the affected joint. Bursitis can also lead to the formation of scar tissue, which can further restrict joint movement.

Bursitis usually responds well to conservative (non-surgical) treatments. However, how long it takes for bursitis to heal can vary, depending on the underlying cause of the condition and the severity of the inflammation. In most cases, you can expect to see some improvement within a few days to a week of beginning treatment.