Treatment

Conservative treatment is usually effective, as long as the bursa is not infected. An acute attack usually gets better on its own, as the body reabsorbs the blood in the bursa. In the end, the bursa returns to its normal size. Conservative treatment includes:

• Rest and discontinue the activity or substitute another activity until the bursitis clears up.
• Apply ice at regular intervals three or four times a day for 20 minutes at a time. Each session should reduce swelling considerably if the knee is also being rested.
• Elevate the affected leg except when necessary to walk.
• Take an anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

However, if lab tests confirm that you have an infection, you'll have to take antibiotics. In addition, your knee may need to be drained periodically over several days. If the infection is slow to heal, a draining tube is placed in the bursa through a small incision and left there for several days.

Chronic swelling that causes disability may also be treated by draining the bursa. If the swelling continues, your physician may recommend surgical removal of the bursa in an outpatient procedure. It takes a few days for the knee to regain its flexibility and some weeks before normal activities can be resumed. Icing the knee and taking an anti-inflamitory such as aspirin or ibuprofen can ease pain as well as inflammation. If the swelling doesn't go down, fluid may be drained and a small amount of corticosteroid injected into the bursa to control inflammation.