What to expect from bursa removal for knee bursitis

A bursa is a small fluid-filled cushion that reduces friction near a joint. Repeated pressure, injury, or infection can keep the knee bursa enlarged and painful. During removal, the surgeon takes out the affected sac and may send tissue or fluid for testing when infection is a concern. The incision is closed and covered; a drain, compression dressing, or brace may be used briefly.

Elevate the leg and use cold therapy only as instructed, protecting the skin and dressing. Keep the incision dry until cleared, take prescribed medicines, and walk with support if advised. Early knee movement can reduce stiffness, while physiotherapy later builds strength and restores comfortable stairs and walking. Avoid kneeling, direct pressure, heavy lifting, and sport until the wound and knee have recovered.

Contact the care team for increasing redness, warmth, drainage, wound separation, fever, or pain that is not settling. Seek urgent help for sudden breathlessness, chest pain, severe calf pain or swelling, or a foot that becomes cold, pale, blue, or numb. Rapidly increasing knee swelling after a fall also needs prompt review.

Ask whether the bursa will be tested for infection, how the incision and any drain should be managed, and when knee bending can begin. Confirm walking and kneeling restrictions, physiotherapy timing, pain relief, work and driving guidance, and what to do if swelling returns.