How to Treat Bursitis of the Knee
Bursitis is inflammation of a joint. Though it can occur at any joint, it is most common in the knees, hips, elbows and shoulders. Your bursae are small sacs that cushion the areas between your joints, muscles and tendons. When a bursa becomes inflamed, you have bursitis. Generally, bursitis is most often caused by overuse or repetitive motions. When it happens in the knees, it is often due to running or jogging. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to treat bursitis of the knee.
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Instructions
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Rest your knees. Do not jog, run or perform any vigorous lower body exercises for a couple of weeks. Generally, if you rest your knees, your bursitis should clear up within a few weeks.
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Place an ice pack on your knees for approximately 15 minutes. Remove the ice pack for 15 minutes and then repeat the application. Ice will reduce swelling, helping to alleviate pain and improve your bursitis.
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Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Choose one that does not contain steroids. This will help to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain caused by your knee bursitis. Aspirin or ibuprofen works well.
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Stretch your hamstrings. Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you. Reach forward toward your toes and hold that position for approximately 1 minute. Tight hamstrings can worsen your bursitis. Keep the muscles loose and pliable with daily stretches.
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Straighten and bend your knee slowly. This will help to restore and maintain your knee's range of motion. Do this several times daily.
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See your doctor immediately if you experience extreme pain. You should also see a doctor promptly if you have a fever, knee redness or are unable to move your knee.
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Tips & Warnings
Drink plenty of water. Hydration is essential to the healing process.
