Prepatellar Bursitis - Housemaid's Knee

A bursa is a small sac of fibrous tissue with a thin synovial lining that is filled with fluid. Numerous bursae are found in the body, around joints and in places where ligaments and tendons pass over bones. They can also form in other places as a response to unusual pressure or friction. Generally, bursae help to reduce friction and allow maximal range of motion around joints. Bursitis is inflammation within a bursa. The inflammation leads to an increase in synovial fluid production and causes the bursa to swell.

There are 4 bursa located around the knee joint. They are all susceptible to bursitis but the prepatellar bursa is most commonly affected. Less frequently, the infrapatellar and deep patellar can become inflamed.¹

The prepatellar bursa is located superficially on the anterior aspect of the knee between the skin and the patella. The bursa does not communicate with the knee joint and the knee joint itself is normal in prepatellar bursitis.

Prepatellar bursitis may occur due to:

• Acute trauma: fall/direct blow onto the knee.
• Recurrent minor injury: occurs after long periods of time spent kneeling forwards and putting pressure on the patella. Historically, this was typical of housemaids who spent long periods of time scrubbing floors on their knees, hence the term Housemaid's knee. Now more commonly seen in tradesmen, e.g. carpet fitters, concrete finishers, roofers.
• Infection: pyogenic prepatellar bursitis is common in children. May be mistaken for septic arthritis of the knee. Staphylococcus aureus is the usual causal agent.^2,3 There is usually a history of a break in the skin prior to its onset.
• A coexisting inflammatory disease: for example synovitis related to rheumatoid arthritis.
• A crystal depositing condition: prepatellar bursitis is more common in people with gout or pseudogout.

• All age groups can be affected
• More likely to have a septic aetiology in children and immunocompromised
• Males > females

Symptoms

• Knee pain, swelling and redness
• Difficulty kneeling and walking
• Fever

Signs

• Tenderness and swelling superficial to the patella
• Erythema and localised warmth of the skin over the patella
• Reduced knee movement
• Fever, tachycardia or signs of systemic upset may indicate septic bursitis

• Occupation - does this involve excessive kneeling?
• History of fall or acute knee injury?
• History of any repetitive motion involving the knee?
• Recent steroid treatment?
• Is the patient immunocompromised?
• Is there a history of crystal arthropathy or inflammatory disease?

• Septic arthritis of the knee: clinical judgement should be used to distinguish between prepatellar bursitis and septic arthritis. The swelling in bursitis is usually distinguishable as being pre-patella but, if very large, the whole knee can appear swollen. If uncertain, refer for a specialist opinion.
• Cellulitis
• Knee joint effusion secondary to trauma
• Infrapatellar bursitis: bursitis may also affect the infrapatellar bursa. This has the synonyms of Parson's, or Vicar's knee. Management follows the same principles as prepatellar bursitis.

• Aspiration of the prepatellar bursa: it is important to differentiate septic and non-septic bursitis. If infection is suspected, fluid should be aspirated under aseptic conditions by an experienced physician and sent for culture, crystal analysis, Gram stain and white cell count.
• Imaging: this is not usually necessary

The management of prepatellar bursitis depends on its aetiology. When considering management, separate into septic and non-septic bursitis. According to one study, patients with septic bursitis usually presented earlier and had more pain, erythema, warmth and tenderness, and some had mild fever (37.5° C maximum recorded). Clinical features alone could not identify all the septic cases.³ Have a low threshold for performing, or referring for, aspiration.

Non-septic bursitis

• Conservative treatment
  • Rest
  • Ice
  • Patient education about the condition and its aetiology.
  • A thick foam cushion, or knee pads, to kneel on can help prevent recurrence.⁵ Occupational therapy referral may be helpful.
  • Physiotherapy referral may be helpful if there is reduced range of movement in the knee joint. A stick or cane may be needed to aid walking.
• Medical treatment
  • Aspiration of the prepatellar bursa and injection of a corticosteroid: infection must be excluded prior to this. Complications should be discussed with the patient including infection, subcutaneous atrophy, bleeding and patellar tendon rupture. Hydrocortisone may be used.
  • NSAIDs, e.g. ibuprofen: these can be used for mild to moderate pain and to reduce inflammation
• Surgical treatment
  This may be needed if prepatellar bursitis is chronic or recurrent.
  • Arthroscopic bursectomy: this can be performed under local anaesthetic on an out-patient basis. One study showed average return-to-work time of 18 days and only 1 person requiring open bursectomy for recurrence in a study of 22 professional athletes treated in this way.⁶ Another study also showed promising results.⁷ There is better cosmetic effect.⁸
  • Open bursectomy: the traditional open surgical approach of excising the bursa.

Septic bursitis

• Aspiration: this should be performed to confirm septic bursitis as detailed in the investigations above. Guidance on diagnosis can be obtained rapidly from the aspirated fluid white cell count whilst waiting for culture results. Take care here because if the knee joint is opened, septic arthritis will ensue.
• Antibiotic therapy: if septic bursitis is suspected, and whilst waiting for confirmatory culture results, start antibiotics. Intravenous antibiotics should be used if the patient is systemically unwell. Cephalosporins or penicillinase resistant penicillins (e.g. augmentin), or a combination of penicillin V and flucloxacillin may be prescribed but get advice from your local microbiologist.
• Incision and drainage: if symptoms of septic bursitis have not improved significantly within 36-48 hours of antibiotic treatment, incision and drainage is usually performed.⁴

Prepatellar bursitis can lead to pain and reduced function of the knee joint. This may be worse if septic bursitis is not recognised promptly. Generally the prognosis is very good with appropriate treatment.

• Education to avoid prolonged and repetitive kneeling.
• Use of knee pads in certain occupations.