Infrapatellar bursitis is inflammation of the bursa under the kneecap causing knee pain and limited mobility. This condition is often caused by repetitive movements, pressure, or injury, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness around the knee.
If you’re involved in activities like running, cycling, or kneeling for long periods, you’re more likely to develop this condition. Studies show that approximately 10-20% of people with knee pain experience bursitis, with athletes and individuals who frequently kneel being at higher risk.
This article covers causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatments of Infrapatellar Bursitis so you can manage and get relief.
What is Infrapatellar Bursitis
Infrapatellar bursitis is inflammation of the bursa under the kneecap causing knee pain and limited mobility. This can be superficial infrapatellar bursitis or deep infrapatellar bursa, both of which act as cushions to reduce friction between the patellar tendon and the underlying structures.
Many bursitis sufferers find their daily activities affected, from walking to climbing stairs, due to the discomfort and swelling from the inflamed bursa.
Causes of Infrapatellar Bursitis
Bending your knees frequently, whether standing, squatting, running or jumping can cause infrapatellar bursitis. This repetitive stress on the knee puts continuous pressure on the infrapatellar bursa and causes it to become inflamed. Kneeling on hard surfaces frequently is especially notorious for causing this condition.
Here are some common causes of infrapatellar bursitis:
1. Repetitive Kneeling (Preacher’s Knee)
If you spend a lot of time kneeling, whether for work, sports, or hobbies, you put constant pressure on the bursa, leading to irritation and swelling.
2. Direct Trauma to the Knee
A fall, bump, or sudden impact on your knee can inflame the bursa, causing pain and swelling in the area just below your kneecap.
3. Overuse from Running or Jumping
Activities like running, jumping, or squatting put stress on your patellar tendon, irritating the bursa underneath. If you’re an athlete or do a lot of high-impact movements, you might be more at risk.
4. Poor Knee Mechanics or Muscle Imbalances
If your quadriceps, hamstrings, or hip muscles are weak or tight, your knee may not track properly. This can put extra pressure on the infrapatellar bursa, leading to inflammation.
5. Infection (Septic Bursitis)
In rare cases, a cut or scrape near your knee can allow bacteria to enter the bursa, causing infection. If you notice redness, warmth, fever, or severe swelling, you should seek medical attention.
6. Arthritis or Other Inflammatory Conditions
When you have rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or another inflammatory condition, your bursae may be more prone to swelling and irritation.
If you’re experiencing knee pain caused, check these out knee joint related causes and adjust your activities to prevent further damage.
Symptoms
The symptoms of infrapatellar bursitis are obvious, pain and swelling near the kneecap is the most common. Many bursitis sufferers report warmth, tenderness and redness in the area. Symptoms can vary in intensity sometimes even the slightest knee movement is painful.
Symptoms:
- Pain with movement or at rest depending on severity
- Swelling and tenderness around the knee joint
- Warmth and redness in the affected knee
Common Risk Factors
Certain activities and conditions can increase the risk of infrapatellar bursitis. People who engage in sports or jobs that require kneeling or crawling for a long time are more prone to this. Strenuous activities that put excessive stress on the knee joint can also cause this condition.
Risk factors for infrapatellar bursitis:
- Contact sports
- Jobs that require knee work
- Pre-existing joint condition like osteoarthritis
How is Infrapatellar Bursitis Diagnosed
Accurate diagnosis of infrapatellar bursitis is important for treatment and healing. The diagnosis process involves a combination of medical history taking, physical examination and imaging tests. These will help the doctor diagnose infrapatellar bursitis and rule out other causes of knee pain.
Diagnosis involves evaluating past knee injuries, checking the knee’s range of motion and tenderness or swelling. In some cases bursa aspiration may be done to test for infection or other conditions.
Medical History and Physical Examination
Before your appointment make a list of your symptoms and personal details about your knee condition. Your doctor will likely ask about the severity and duration of your knee pain and risk factors for bursitis. This will help in diagnosing the cause of knee pain and range of motion.
Physical examination will include checking tenderness, range of motion and swelling in both knees for comparison. Both medical history and physical examination are important in diagnosing infrapatellar bursitis and planning treatment.
Imaging Tests
Targeted musculoskeletal ultrasound or MRI are the imaging tests used to detect inflammation of the infrapatellar bursa. These tests will provide detailed images to assess the bursa and identify any inflammation or injury.
Imaging tests are important in diagnosing infrapatellar bursitis by visualizing soft tissue injuries. It ensures proper diagnosis which is important for treatment and healing.
Aspiration
Aspiration involves extracting fluid from the bursa to check for infection or other conditions. This procedure will relieve pressure and provide important information for diagnosis.
Fluid aspiration from the bursa will allow analysis to rule out infection or other pathological conditions. This procedure is useful in diagnosing septic bursitis or other conditions that may be causing knee pain.
Infrapatellar Bursitis Treatment
Infrapatellar bursitis will relieve knee pain and improve joint function. There are various treatment options, medications, physical therapy, injections or surgical procedures.
1. Rest & Activity Modification
Give your knee a break. Avoid activities that put stress on it, like squatting, running, or jumping. If you need to stay active, try low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling.
2. Ice Therapy
Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 15–20 minutes, 3–4 times a day to reduce swelling and pain. Make sure to wrap the ice in a cloth to avoid direct skin contact.
3. Compression & Elevation
Wearing a knee brace or compression bandage can help control swelling. When resting, elevate your leg on a pillow to reduce fluid buildup.
4. Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen can help relieve pain and inflammation. Just be sure to follow the dosage instructions.
5. Stretching & Strengthening Exercises
Once your pain decreases, focus on stretching and strengthening the muscles around your knee:
- Quadriceps Stretch: Stand on one leg and pull your other foot toward your glutes.
- Hamstring Stretch: Sit with one leg extended and reach toward your toes.
- Straight-Leg Raises: Lie on your back, lift your leg straight up, and hold for a few seconds.
6. Proper Footwear & Knee Support
Wearing supportive shoes or using orthotics can help reduce stress on your knee. A knee brace or patellar strap may also provide extra support.
7. Medications
If bursitis is caused by bacterial infection, antibiotics will be prescribed by the doctor. Pain relief can also be achieved with over-the-counter medications.
8. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can improve knee mobility and strength so it’s a big part of the rehabilitation process. It will improve knee function, promote blood flow and strengthen leg muscles to reduce the risk of future bursitis episodes.
Physical therapy involves exercises and techniques to increase flexibility and strength of the muscles around the knee.
9. Injections and Surgical Procedures (If Needed)
Corticosteroid injections may be recommended if other treatments don’t work. These injections will be injected directly into the inflamed bursa and can provide relief for pain and reduce inflammation in chronic cases.
If non-invasive treatments fail, options like corticosteroid injections or surgical intervention may be done for severe cases.
Home Remedies
Treatment for infrapatellar bursitis will focus on symptoms relief and may involve both conservative and invasive procedures. Lifestyle changes and home remedies can help in managing symptoms and preventing future episodes.
Rest and Ice Therapy
Ice the knee to reduce swelling and pain during bursitis episodes. Ice for 10 to 15 minutes multiple times a day for the first 72 hours.
Ice packs on the knee for short intervals can reduce swelling and numb the pain in the affected area. These will help manage acute symptoms and relief.
Protective Gear
Wearing protective gear like knee pads and supportive braces can reduce pain and speed up recovery for infrapatellar bursitis patients. Knee pads will minimize friction on the patellar tendon, reduce irritation. Supportive braces will provide stability to the knee joint, protect the area during activities that can worsen symptoms.
Knee pads and supportive braces can manage infrapatellar bursitis and healing.
Exercise and Stretching
Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises will increase knee flexibility and support the surrounding muscles. Physical therapy will improve knee function, increase blood flow and strengthen the muscles around the knee.
Calf and thigh stretching daily will increase knee flexibility and relieve bursitis discomfort. Gentle stretching exercises will maintain knee flexibility and muscle balance.
Before Your Doctor’s Appointment
Preparation is key to discussing your knee issues and getting the right treatment. Bring a symptom diary with you, including the duration and intensity of pain, activities that worsen symptoms and treatments you’ve tried.
You will be asked about your medical history and will undergo a physical examination focused on knee function and discomfort.
What to Bring
A symptom diary with the frequency and intensity of your symptoms will be very helpful to your healthcare provider. Doctors will ask about the onset of knee bones pain and previous treatments for similar conditions during the medical history assessment.
Having a friend or family member with you can help you remember what was discussed during your consultation.
Bottom Line
Infrapatellar bursitis occurs when the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac located just below your kneecap, becomes inflamed. Take proactive steps like using protective gear, gentle exercises and preparation for doctor’s appointment will make a big difference in your recovery.
