...less medical jargon in a 'Quick Glance' format!
Pes Anserine Bursitis is an irritation or inflammation of a bursa in your knee. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between tendons, bones, and skin.
The pes anserine bursa is located on the inner side of the knee just below the knee joint. Tendons of three muscles attach to the shin bone (tibia) over this bursa. These muscles act to bend the knee, bring the knees together, and cross the legs.
Pes anserine bursitis is common in swimmers who do the breaststroke and is sometimes called breaststroker's knee.
Symptoms:
swelling in front of the kneecap or underneath the kneecap
warmth and tenderness
pain when you bend or straighten your knee.
This disease may cause distinctive pain as follows:
increase in pain when you climb stairs or exercise
pain that radiates to the back and inside of your thigh
pain when your knees touch as you lie on your side
pain located a few inches below the kneecap, in the center of it, or behind it
Treatment:
with rest, ice, and compression to reduce swelling. To relieve pain, doctors typically recommend an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and others) or naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, and others).
You'll also need to avoid activity that aggravates the condition during the healing process, which usually lasts two to six weeks. If the fluid in the bursa shows signs of infection, you'll need to take antibiotics, and the doctor may remove fluid daily. In extreme cases, the swollen bursa is removed surgically.
Your doctor may also recommend physical therapy. Physical therapy focuses on strengthening and stretching the quadriceps and inside hamstrings. A physical therapist can also show you how to protect your knee in sports and daily activities. If your normal stance puts pressure on the pes anserine bursa, using flexible, over-the-counter arch supports in your shoes may reduce it.
Prevention: Wear protective kneepads (such as roofer's pads or gardening pads) while kneeling or while playing sports likely to involve hitting the knees. Bursitis can recur if you don't take preventive measures after it heals.
