What is the treatment for prepatellar bursitis (inflammation of the prepatellar bursa)?

From the Research

Treatment Options for Prepatellar Bursitis

The treatment for prepatellar bursitis can be divided into two main categories: non-septic and septic bursitis.

• For non-septic bursitis, treatment options include:
  • Conservative measures such as bursal aspiration, NSAIDs, and PRICE (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) 1, 2, 3
  • Intrabursal steroid injection for patients with high athletic or occupational demands 1
• For septic bursitis, treatment options include:
  • Antibiotic therapy 1, 3
  • Surgical treatment, such as incision, drainage, or bursectomy, for severe, refractory, or chronic/recurrent cases 1, 2, 4, 5

Surgical Treatment

Surgical treatment options for prepatellar bursitis include:

• Open bursectomy: a traditional surgical method that involves removing the affected bursa 2, 4, 5
• Endoscopic bursectomy: a minimally invasive surgical method that involves removing the affected bursa using an endoscope 4, 5
• Studies have shown that endoscopic bursectomy is a time-saving and efficient surgical treatment option for patients with prepatellar and olecranon bursitis, with higher patient satisfaction scores and shorter hospitalization times compared to open bursectomy 5

Conservative Treatment

Conservative treatment options for prepatellar bursitis include:

• Immobilization and anti-inflammatory medication for non-septic bursitis 2, 3
• Compression, immobilization, antiphlogistic medication, and instillation of corticosteroids for acute and chronic bursitis 2
• A conservative treatment regimen should be pursued, following bursal aspirate-based differentiation between septic and non-septic bursitis 1