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Beat Knee Bursitis

This condition is defined as an uncomfortable or painful inflammation or irritation of the bursae which are the soft, fluid-filled sacs used by the body to cushion the motion between the bones, tendons and muscles near the joints and allow then to slip and slide over one another with reduced friction. Beat knee bursitis occurs in the area around the kneecaps or knee joint and is technically called infrapatellar bursitis or more commonly "housemaid's knee". This condition may also occur at other locations around the body including under the shoulder muscles, at the elbows (epitrochlear) also called "tennis elbow", hip sockets (trochanteric), heel bones (retrocalcaneal), buttocks (ischiogluteal) or the thigh (trochanteric).

This condition can be acute and immediate and can arise after a particular incident causing a sudden, sharp pain following trauma however the sufferer will usually recover from such isolated pain with rest. The real and serious problem of chronic beat knee bursitis usually arises as a result of long term damage caused by recurrent inflammation in the same area. This condition is a form of repetitive strain injury (RSI) and occurs when a joint is overused or when it stays under pressure or tension for extended periods of time causing the bursa to become inflamed and filled with excess fluid resulting in acute pain. The symptoms of this painful injury may include :-

• discomfort or in many cases severe pain that increases with extent or speed of movement of the joint or tendons
• tenderness of joint to touch or minor movement
• limitation or total cessation of movement joint or in the affected areas
• swelling, soreness and redness in the area around the joint or tendons

Diagnosis of beat knee bursitis, osteoarthritis and cartilage damage includes consideration of the patient’s medical history followed by physical examination often assisted by x-rays. A patient suffering from this condition will need to supply a detailed account of work and leisure activities before the affected location is physically examined. Treatment includes rest, compression and elevation, ice packs, protection of the area and anti-inflammatory drugs. It can help to protect bursae close to the skin with padding and deep-heat therapy can relieve discomfort and inflammation. Long term damage will often respond poorly to most treatment regimes.

There has been some indication that a Government compensation scheme will be set up for those suffering from this condition. A claim handling agreement is expected to come into existance during the course of 2006 or 2007 however as in similar arrangements in the past there will almost certainly be a cut off date after which it will not be possible to claim compensation. If you would like to speak to a specialist personal injury solicitor at no cost and with no obligation just complete the contact form or phone the helpline on 0870 420 5589. If after talking to us you decide to proceed no further then you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for our initial advice which is completely free.