Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have rapidly worsening redness, warmth, or fever around the knee, seek urgent medical assessment. © 2026 Better Physiotherapy Bundoora.
Knee bursitis — inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs around the knee — causes localised swelling and tenderness that can be confused with other knee conditions. Correct diagnosis and targeted physiotherapy produce fast, reliable results for most presentations.
Types of Knee Bursitis
Prepatellar bursitis ("housemaid's knee"): Swelling directly over the front of the kneecap. Classic presentation in tradespeople and others who kneel for prolonged periods. The knee looks puffy in front but joint movement is usually preserved.
Infrapatellar bursitis: Swelling below the kneecap. Associated with jumping sports, obesity, and repeated kneeling. Sometimes confused with patellar tendinopathy.
Pes anserine bursitis: Medial (inner) knee pain below the joint line, common in osteoarthritis, obesity, and tight hamstrings. Often misdiagnosed as medial joint line osteoarthritis. Responds very well to physiotherapy focused on hamstring flexibility and valgus load reduction.
Semimembranosus (Baker's cyst): Posterior knee swelling from a distended bursa behind the knee, often secondary to intra-articular knee pathology (meniscus tear, OA). Address the primary intra-articular cause to resolve the cyst.
Physiotherapy Treatment
- Activity modification — avoiding the aggravating posture (kneeling, squatting) while the bursa settles
- Ice and compression to reduce acute swelling
- Padding — knee protection for people who must kneel at work
- Manual therapy — soft tissue work around the bursa and associated muscles
- Graduated strengthening — particularly quadriceps and glutes to reduce compressive and shear forces
- Addressing contributing factors — obesity, tight hamstrings, leg alignment
Knee Bursitis Treatment at Better Physiotherapy Bundoora
We regularly see knee bursitis in tradespeople, athletes, and older adults with arthritis. Accurate diagnosis of which bursa is affected guides targeted treatment. Call (03) 9467 6900 or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bursa?
A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones, tendons, and skin. The knee has multiple bursae — the most clinically important being the prepatellar bursa (in front of the kneecap), the infrapatellar bursa (below the kneecap), and the pes anserine bursa (on the inner side of the knee, below the joint line). When irritated, these fill with excess fluid, causing localised swelling and pain.
What causes knee bursitis?
Prepatellar bursitis (housemaid's knee): prolonged kneeling — common in tradespeople, gardeners, and carpet layers. Infrapatellar bursitis: overuse from jumping sports or deep kneeling. Pes anserine bursitis: usually associated with obesity, osteoarthritis, or tight hamstrings — common in middle-aged and older adults. Septic bursitis (infected): following a skin wound over the bursa.
How do I know if my knee bursitis is infected?
Infected (septic) bursitis is a medical emergency. Signs include: rapidly increasing warmth, redness, and swelling, fever, and skin changes over the bursa. If you have these signs, see a GP or emergency department promptly rather than waiting for a physiotherapy appointment.
What exercises help knee bursitis?
During the acute phase, low-load exercises such as straight-leg raises, swimming, and cycling (if pain-free) maintain fitness without aggravating the bursa. As swelling reduces, progressive strength training for the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes addresses the muscle imbalances that often contribute to bursitis. A physiotherapist will guide exercise selection based on which bursa is affected and its severity.
Ashley Haleel
Physiotherapist & Owner — Better Physiotherapy Bundoora