Duration of bursitis on the knee
introduction
There are different types of knee bursitis. The most common are prepatellar bursitis and infrapatellar bursitis. "Pre" means "before" and "infra" means "under". As a result, both the bursa in front of the kneecap (Latin: patella) and the one under the kneecap can be affected.
In general, bursitis is caused by excessive stress. This can happen in sports but also in special professional groups, for example tilers, who have to do most of their work on their knees. The symptom complex is similar to that of tendinitis; Redness, swelling, reduced mobility, pain in the knees and overheating of the skin. The duration of the symptoms, however, depends on the exposure and the course of the disease.
For more information, also read: Bursitis on the knee
How long does knee bursitis last
The duration of a bursitis depends largely on the course of the inflammation. If this is relatively uncomplicated, the bursa can be pain-free again after a few weeks with appropriate treatment. However, stress that is too fast or too heavy can easily lead to recurrences. This means that the inflammation can reappear quickly after it has healed.
It becomes problematic when the bursitis becomes chronic. If this is not treated appropriately, it can drag on for months or years and represent a permanent restriction of movement. This can also lead to calcium deposits, which precipitate as crystals in the bursa. This is extremely painful and should definitely be treated.
With chronic bursitis, a bursectomy (surgical removal of the bursa) can be considered. After this operation, the affected area should be spared four to six weeks for complete healing. Physiotherapy and lighter movements can already take place during this time, so that there is no permanent restriction of movement in the joint.
Read on below: OP of a bursitis - you should know that beforehand
Duration of pain
The duration of the pain as well as the time it takes to heal depends on the treatment. If the affected joint is sufficiently spared and treated appropriately with anti-inflammatory drugs or appropriate ointments, possibly a pressure bandage or certain splints, the healing time will be completely completed in a few weeks. The pain will probably subside a little earlier or only occur with appropriate stress. A little afterwards or at the same time, the redness and swelling will subside, so that you will soon be symptom-free again. With chronic bursitis, the pain can understandably expand and last for months.
How can I shorten the duration of a bursitis?
There are different approaches to positively influence the duration of a bursitis (bursitis).
- On the one hand, care should be taken to protect the corresponding joint when the inflammation begins. Cooling with various ointments or cool packs can also be helpful in reducing the inflammation faster.
Any heat coming from outside should be prevented at all costs, as this allows the inflammation to progress better. - You also have the option of taking anti-inflammatory drugs. These have both anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects. These include ibuprofen and diclofenac, for example.
- If these are not sufficient to suppress pain, the attending physician can also prescribe stronger pain medication. Anti-inflammatory ointments and gels can also help the bursitis heal faster. These are usually applied three times a day and, in addition to inhibiting inflammation, also have a cooling effect and thus pleasant on the mostly overheated skin.
- Massage the surrounding tissue can also help to promote relaxation and better blood flow to the inflamed area.
- However, it is essential that you first clarify with a doctor whether it is a bacterial infection. If the bursitis is based on a bacterial infection, it must be treated with antibiotics.
- If the signs of inflammation have subsided but a thickened bursa can still be felt, it may have to be punctured to drain the fluid it contains.
You might also be interested in this article: The duration of a bursitis
Can cortisone shorten the duration of bursitis?
Cortisone is an immunosuppressive agent, which means it inhibits the body's own cells, which are responsible for an excessive inflammatory reaction. If the bursitis is definitely not caused by a bacterial infection, the cortisone injection can be a good aid. However, this measure is only used if there has been no improvement for about ten days with anti-inflammatory ointments or anti-inflammatory drugs.
The cortisone is injected directly into the affected joint, where it can take effect and accelerate healing. However, there is always some risk of infection during an injection, so the cortisone injection is not the first standard measure for bursitis.
Read more on the subject here: Is the cortisone injection suitable for my complaints?
How does the duration of a bursitis increase?
There are a few things that should be avoided in the case of bursitis so as not to delay the course of the disease unnecessarily. On the one hand, this includes warming the bursa. The cells of the body that migrate into the affected tissue when there is inflammation work particularly well under heat. If you add additional heat from outside, you reinforce the process taking place there rather than alleviate it.
Massages in the case of bacterial infection should also be absolutely avoided, as the pathogens can otherwise spread through the blood in the body's circulation.
In addition, movements that are too strong and strenuous should be avoided, as well as routine movements that are repeated over and over again. These repeatedly lead to small injuries and tears in the tissue, which in the long term can lead to inflammation or exacerbate an existing inflammation.
Duration of treatment for bursitis in the knee
The duration of the treatment also depends very much on how the inflammatory process of the bursa is shaped.
If the course is uncomplicated, it is sufficient to carry out the cooling, pain reliever and anti-inflammatory measures until the signs of inflammation, i.e. swelling, redness and pain, subside. The symptoms are usually severely flattened after a few days, but treatment should continue until they have completely subsided. Particular attention should be paid to protecting the affected joint. As already mentioned, the joint should also be spared beyond the visible symptoms, because otherwise there is a risk of chronification.
If the course is more complicated, or if a bursectomy is indicated (surgical removal of the bursa), the treatment lasts accordingly longer and can last up to a few weeks.
When can I do sports again?
In the case of a freshly occurring bursitis, exercise should be avoided for the time being. At least a few days you should spare the corresponding part of the body, otherwise there is a risk of "procrastination". This means that you get a chronic inflammation of the bursa, which can last for years.
After the pain has subsided and the symptoms have improved, a light and knee-friendly training can be started. It is worthwhile to switch to sports that increasingly train other parts of the body. Only after a few weeks, after the inflammation has completely healed, can regular and more strenuous sport be resumed. However, it is essential to ensure that the training starts slowly and carefully and that the joint is gently and gradually introduced to the movements.
How much does an operation affect the duration?
The duration of an operation on the knee bursa depends on many different things. Of course, the surgeon's experience plays a role, as does the severity of the inflammation. Other conditions can also cause the duration to vary widely. If the surrounding tissue is affected, this must also be partially removed during the operation. The bursectomy, i.e. the removal of the bursa itself, is usually a routine procedure that does not take more than an hour.
After the procedure you have to splint the knee for a few weeks. However, you can make slight movements the day after the operation, since the bursa is no longer there and the pus has been removed. However, the knee is very irritated after an operation, so it should not be overloaded. So it can take another two to four weeks before you are able to work again. During this time, check-ups should be performed at regular intervals by a doctor to clarify the healing of the interface and allow the stitches to be pulled.
Read everything about this topic at: Surgery for bursitis
Duration of a sick leave
The length of sick leave depends very much on the severity of the inflammation. If the signs of inflammation subside after a few days, and the redness, swelling and pain have largely disappeared, the sick leave will only be valid for a few days. However, if the inflammation is very severe and the restricted mobility is more extensive, the sick leave can last between two and six weeks. The main purpose of this is to prevent the bursitis from becoming chronic, as the patient stresses himself too early and too much.
