Bursitis is an injury or inflammation of the bursae in the knees, which are sacs of fluid located underneath the kneecap. This condition often can go away on its own if it is minor, but it is important to stay alert to any additional symptoms that can indicate a more serious form of bursitis.
The best way to deal with bursitis is to rest the area and consult with a physical therapist on how to move in a way that will not aggravate the pain or cause additional injury. Cold packs and elevation can also ease discomfort.
If the pain persists, you may want to discuss pain medication with your doctor. Your doctor may suggest a steroid injection or aspiration, or removal of some fluid from the knee in more serious cases. You may have to have your knee tested to ensure there is no infection, and if there is, you may have to take antibiotics.
1. Rest
When you are in pain, your body is telling you to take it easy. Therefore, it is a good idea to listen to your body, and in this case, particularly your knees. You should rest the area for at least a few days or weeks. How much rest you take may depend on your lifestyle and the amount of pain and discomfort you are experiencing.
If you have an active lifestyle and work on your feet, you may not have the option of taking too many days off of work. Some milder cases of bursitis don’t require complete rest, but may be relieved by avoiding very strenuous activities, such as aerobics or running. If you do a lot of bending, kneeling or climbing, it may be a good idea to find alternative ways of working so you don’t have to put your knee in a painful position.