Prepatellar Bursitis Treatment Options

Can prepatellar bursitis be treated without surgery?

Prepatellar bursitis is often successfully treated without surgery.  Non-operative treatment of prepatellar bursitis involves a change in activities to avoid movements that cause knee pain, including kneeling. Additionally, using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and inflammation, compression over the knee, and physical therapy can help diminish symptoms.

Typically, symptoms will resolve within 2-3 months of conservative, non-surgical treatment. However, when symptoms persist, an aspiration of the bursa can also be attempted.

If your knee pain is resolved with non-operative treatment and you can return to your desired level of activity, then no surgery for prepatellar bursitis is needed. If symptoms persist and you continue to feel limited, then Dr. Chahla can discuss potential surgical treatment options for prepatellar bursitis with you.

What are the surgical options for prepatellar bursitis?

If non-surgical treatments don’t provide relief or if the prepatellar bursitis is recurrent and severe, surgical treatment may be considered. Surgical treatment for prepatellar bursitis includes a prepatellar bursectomy. During this procedure, the prepatellar bursa is removed and the surrounding tissue is debrided.