Bursitis knee pain can occur when the bursa in the joint becomes irritated and inflamed. So what is a bursa? Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that are designed to decrease friction and facilitate easy movement. Most of the major bursae are located next to tendons that cross over joints. Of the 160 bursae in the human body, nearly a dozen are found in the area of the knee. Bursitis knee pain is a common ailment that can be effectively treated at Foster Muscle Therapy.
Conventional treatments for bursitis knee pain:
- Rest
- Ice
- Anti-inflammatory medications
Treatments for more chronic bursitis knee pain can involve injections of cortisone and potentially surgery to remove the bursa.
At Foster Muscle Therapy the focus for treatment of bursitis knee pain is not so much on the bursa, but on the surrounding tissue. Many bursae are located such that they keep a tendon from rubbing on the bones in the joint. These lubricated, fluid-filled sacs protect and cushion the joint. However, if the tendon crossing over the bursa becomes rigid and hard, it will tend to saw into the bursa, causing irritation. The inflammation of the bursa is secondary to the poor health of the tendon.
How does the tendon become rigid to cause bursitis knee pain?
Tendons connect muscles to bones. If the muscle has become chronically tight and stays contracted even when at rest, the associated tendon will become rigid. The tendon will then apply more pressure on the bursa. The result can be bursitis knee pain.
Busitis Knee Treatment
Treatment of knee bursitis at Foster Muscle Therapy begins with restoring the health of the surrounding large muscles that control the knee joint. Focused treatment of the muscles allows them to lengthen to a healthier resting state, which reduces the amount of tension or pull on the associated tendons. The tendons then do not press into and irritate the bursae. Once the inflammation subsides, the tendons can be treated in conjunction with the muscles to further improve knee joint health.
This type of bursitis knee treatment has another advantage: it improves overall blood circulation to the joint. Excessive tension in a muscle compresses blood vessels, limiting blood flow to the area. By improving the resting health of the muscle, more blood can flow into the joint, bringing oxygen and other nutrients necessary for healing.
When the bursitis knee pain is seen as a symptom of a larger problem, rather than isolated to just the bursa, better results can be obtained. It also means that more invasive procedures, such as surgery and injections, can be avoided. That is a solution that is important to many people afflicted with this condition.
Have you had any difficulty with bursitis knee pain? What was your experience? How can we help you with your pain relief?
Just call Foster Muscle Therapy at 970-590-2856 and let's start lengthening your muscles and minimizing your pain today.
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