Prepatellar Bursitis

Prepatellar Bursitis

Prepatellar Bursitis is located over the front of the patellar ligament and kneecap (patella) - see the picture to the right. The pain is located right in the front of your knee, and it can even be painful to have the bedsheets touch your skin in this area.

Symptoms of Prepatellar Bursitis

Knee pain, swelling and redness
Difficulty kneeling and walking
Fever

Tenderness and swelling superficial to the patella
Erythema and localised warmth of the skin over the patella
Reduced knee movement
Fever, tachycardia or signs of systemic upset may indicate septic bursitis

Causes of Prepatellar Bursitis

Acute trauma: fall/direct blow on to the knee.
Recurrent minor injury: occurs after long periods of time spent kneeling forwards and putting pressure on the patella. Historically, this was typical of housemaids who spent long periods of time scrubbing floors on their knees, hence the term 'housemaid's knee'. Now more commonly seen in tradesmen, e.g. carpet fitters, concrete finishers, roofers.
Infection: pyogenic prepatellar bursitis is common in children. It may be mistaken for septic arthritis of the knee. Staphylococcus aureus is the usual causal agent.3 There is usually a history of a break in the skin prior to its onset.
A coexisting inflammatory disease: for example, synovitis related to rheumatoid arthritis.
A crystal depositing condition: prepatellar bursitis is more common in people with gout or pseudogout.

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