Retropatellar bursitis: symptoms and care

Bursae help tissues glide over one another. Around the kneecap, repeated kneeling, pressure, impact or altered knee movement may irritate a bursa. Pain can be worse with bending, kneeling, stairs or prolonged sitting, and the knee may feel tender or full. A clinician checks the kneecap, joint line, tendons and range of motion because several knee conditions can overlap. Swelling is a symptom, not a diagnosis by itself. Assessment may include imaging when there has been an injury, symptoms persist or another structure needs checking.

Pause kneeling and reduce activities that repeatedly compress the front of the knee. Use a cushion or knee protection when kneeling is unavoidable, and keep gentle movement within a comfortable range. A cold pack wrapped in cloth may ease soreness. Ask a clinician or pharmacist whether anti-inflammatory medication is safe with your medical history. Physiotherapy may improve hip and thigh strength, movement control and gradual activity tolerance. If fluid collects or symptoms continue, a specialist may discuss aspiration or an injection after considering infection and other causes.

Arrange an appointment if swelling or pain limits walking, stairs, work or sleep, or if it returns after each activity. Seek prompt care for a hot red knee, fever, drainage, rapidly increasing swelling or severe pain. Urgent assessment is needed after a major injury if the knee is deformed, locked, unstable or impossible to bear weight on.

Ask which bursa or knee structure is affected, whether you need imaging or fluid testing, which exercises are safe, and when kneeling can resume. Confirm how to protect the knee at work and which changes should trigger an earlier review.