How Long Does Knee Bursitis Last?

Knee bursitis is inflammation or irritation of one or more of the bursae in your knee. It involves inflammation of a small fluid-filled sac, known as the bursa, that resides near your knee joint. Anyone can get knee bursitis, but experts estimate that about 80% of cases occur in men, with those between the ages of 40 and 60 most likely to be affected. If you are searching for occupational therapy near Centereach, NY to help with knee pain, East End Occupational Therapy is here to help.  

What is a Bursa? 

Bursa is a thin “sac” that sits between tissues, bones, and joints in your body. You have bursa beyond your knees and all over your body, including in your hips, shoulders, elbows, and ankles. Bursae exist to reduce friction and cushion pressure points between the bones and tendons in your leg. Any of the eleven bursae in your knee can become inflamed. 

Symptoms of Knee Bursitis 

Knee bursitis can occur due to repetitive irritation, trauma, or infection. The cause for the condition cannot always be distinctly identified. Even though there are a variety of reasons that knee bursitis may develop, there are some common causes of the condition. These include athletic injuries, prolonged kneeling, obesity, and osteoarthritis. 

Symptoms of the condition may include swelling, warmth, tenderness, and redness in the knee. It is usually only mildly painful and frequently associated with kneeling pain. A symptom during kneeling might be stiffness, as well as pain when walking. 

Steps to Treating Knee Bursitis at Home 

The first step in treating this condition is rest. Give your knee a break from the activity that is straining and uncomfortable. Avoid activities that heavily use the knee. Next, work on getting inflammation down with anti-inflammatory pain relief, such as ibuprofen, if you can. Simple rest and over-the-counter medications will likely work together to reduce the swelling for your knee to properly heal. These home remedies coupled with occupational therapy near Centereach, NY will have your knee in great shape in no time. 

How to Treat Knee Bursitis 

This is a condition that is healed over time. Treatment is often aimed at relieving the symptoms that are causing persistent pain. There are a few options for treating knee bursitis. 

Medications can be used to treat infections caused by the condition. This is something that needs to be prescribed by a doctor. A course of antibiotic treatment can heal infections and relieve pain. 

Your doctor might suggest that you partake in physical therapy to treat knee bursitis. Occupational therapy near Centereach, NY can work with you to improve your flexibility and strengthen your muscles. This could reduce the pain in your knee and lower the chances of knee bursitis happening again. 

Surgical procedures may be recommended as a more invasive treatment. This is usually done because of a swollen bursa that ends up restricting one’s activity. Most cases of knee bursitis do not require surgery because the condition improves over time. 

How Long Does Knee Bursitis Last? 

The length of one’s knee bursitis may vary for each individual. With the proper treatment, knee bursitis can be healed in an average of two to eight weeks. You must practice proper stretching, strengthening, and exercise for a speedy recovery from this condition. 

East End Occupational Therapy Near Centereach, NY

The health of your knees is very important to your quality of life and ability to move freely. If you are struggling with pain in your knees, East End Occupational Therapy is trained to relieve your pain and improve your knee strength and health. Contact occupational therapy near Centereach, NY today to set up an appointment and keep your knees moving and healthy!

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