Knee Bursitis: Symptoms, Causes and Gentle Relief

Around the knee there are several small, fluid-filled cushions called bursae. They sit between bone, tendons and skin and help these structures glide over each other without friction. Normally you do not notice them at all. When one of them becomes irritated, it can fill with extra fluid and swell. This is called bursitis.

The most common place is right in front of the kneecap. That is why this type has long been linked with work that involves a lot of kneeling, such as laying tiles, cleaning floors or gardening.

Typical symptoms

• A soft, rounded swelling on the front of the knee, sometimes the size of a small egg.
• Tenderness when you kneel or press on the spot.
• Warmer skin and slight redness over the swelling.
• Discomfort when you bend the knee fully, because the swollen cushion gets squeezed.
• The joint itself often moves normally. Unlike swelling inside the knee, bursitis usually sits on top of the kneecap like a small pillow.

Another bursa sits on the inner side of the knee, a little below the joint. When it is irritated, you feel pain on the inner side when climbing stairs or getting up from a chair. Our article on pain on the inner side of the knee describes this area in more detail.

Common causes

• Kneeling for a long time, especially on hard floors.
• A direct knock or a fall onto the front of the knee.
• Repeated friction, for example from frequent kneeling during sport or work.
• Osteoarthritis or gout, which make the area around the knee easier to irritate.
• Infection. A small cut or scrape over the kneecap can let bacteria into the bursa. This needs to be checked by a doctor.

What helps at home

• Stop kneeling for a while. This is the most important step. Give the bursa a rest so it can settle.
• Use padding when you cannot avoid kneeling: a thick garden cushion or knee pads ease the pressure.
• Cool the swelling. A wrapped cold pack for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day can ease it. Our article on heat or cold for knee pain explains how to do this safely.
• Keep moving gently. Walking and gentle bending help the knee stay mobile while the bursa calms down.
• A soft knee sleeve can give a pleasant sense of support and protect the skin from rubbing during the day. Choose a size that does not press hard on the swollen spot.

Most simple cases of bursitis settle within about a month once the pressure is taken away.

When to see a doctor

• the swelling is red, hot and very tender, or you have a fever
• there is a cut or scrape over the swelling
• the swelling grows quickly or does not go down even after 14 days
• the pain wakes you at night or you cannot bend the knee

Infected bursitis needs treatment, so do not wait in these cases. You will find more warning signs in our article on when knee pain is serious.

Bursitis can look alarming, but most of the time it is the knee's way of asking for less pressure. Protect it, give it time and it usually settles on its own.

A sleeve you will actually wear

The best sleeve is the one that does not end up in a drawer. The KeenTrove Bamboo Knee Sleeve is made for exactly that:

• soft, breathable bamboo, comfortable even in summer
• fits snugly but does not dig in behind the knee
• does not lock the knee, so you move naturally
• wear it under your clothes during the day and in bed at night

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See the bamboo knee sleeve →

Note: this article is for information only and does not replace an examination by a doctor. If you have circulation problems or diabetes, or have recently had knee surgery, talk to your doctor before wearing compression.