: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options Prepatellar bursitis (PPB), sometimes termed ‘housemaid’s knee’ or ‘carpenter’s knee’, refers to inflammation of the bursa in the prepatellar soft tissue above the patella.
: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options Prepatellar bursitis (PPB), sometimes termed ‘housemaid’s knee’ or ‘carpenter’s knee’, refers to inflammation of the bursa in the prepatellar soft tissue above the patella. Overall, it is relatively poorly described in the literature and the epidemiology is not well understood. It is most common in middle aged males.
The prepatellar bursa is located between the patella and overlying subcutaneous tissue. The purpose of the bursa is to separate the patellar tendon from the skin and reduce friction. Case You are evaluating a 41 year old plumber with insidious onset of anterior knee pain.
He denies trauma or fever. On exam, there is obvious swelling of the prepatellar space with a tender, fluctuant mass without erythema. Range of motion is intact.
Which of the following ultrasound findings will help confirm your suspected diagnosis? A) Cobblestoning of the anterior knee B) Heterogeneous appearance of patellar tendon C) Large joint effusion D) Hypoechoic fluid collection anterior to patella aaos.org) The majority of cases of prepatellar bursitis are non-infectious or aseptic. Of these, the majority are due to chronic repetitive microtrauma such as occupational (housekeeping, plumbing, carpet installation, etc) or sports such as wrestling, baseball (catchers) and volleyball.
Occasionally, acute blunt trauma can also also cause PPB. Other diseases such as gout, pseudogout, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus are also associated with increased risk. Prepatellar bursitis can also be due to infectious causes, mostly commonly from skin lesions but can also occur due to primary cellulitis or, more rarely, hematogenous spread.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to prepatellar bursitis, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
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