Housemaid's Knee (Perpatellar Bursitis)

Housemaid's knee is when the prepatellar bursa (a small fluid filled sac located at the front of the kneecap) becomes inflamed. It can be caused by a direct blow or fall on the knee, or it may appear over time due to constant kneeling. In both cases, the walls of the bursa thicken due to the rupturing of blood vessels. This condition causes pain, tenderness and swelling on or just below the kneecap, making it difficult to kneel. A fluid filled bump may be visible over the kneecap.

Acute perpatellar bursitis normally goes away with the help of anti-inflammatory medicines and by applying the RICE (Rest, Ice Compression, Elevation) method. In the case of chronic housemaid's knee, kneeling should be avoided or knee pads should be worn. A doctor may need to drain some of the bursa's fluid if swelling does not subside. In serious cases surgery may have to be performed in order to remove the bursa.

Orlando, Florida 20 North Orange Avenue Suite 1600 Orlando, Florida 32801 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Tampa, Florida One Tampa City Center 201 N. Franklin Street, 7th Floor Tampa, Florida 33602 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Jacksonville, Florida 76 S. Laura Street Suite 1100 Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Fort Myers, Florida 12800 University Drive Suite 600 Fort Myers, Florida 33907 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Davie, Florida 7450 Griffin Road Suite 230 Davie, Florida 33314 Telephone: (800) 896-2709
St. Petersburg, Florida 695 Central Avenue, Suite 150J St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Atlanta, Georgia 191 Peachtree Street NE Suite 4200 Atlanta, GA 30303 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Jackson, Mississippi 188 East Capitol St Jackson, Mississippi 39201 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Tavares, Florida 14229 US 441 Tavares, Florida 32778 Telephone: (800) 896-2709