What is Kneecap Bursitis (carpenter’s, housemaid’s or coal miner’s knee)?

  • Patellar Bursitis is also called carpenter’s knee, housemaid’s knee, coal miner’s knee.
  • It´s an inflammation of the bursa of the kneecap. Bursa: is a sac of fluid located between bone and soft tissue, acting as a cushion to help to reduce friction between tendons and bones.

PATELLAR BURSITIS SYMPTOMPS

You may experience some or all the following:

  • Difficulty while walking or going down stairs.
  • knee pain mainly during movement and physical activity.
  • In some cases pain can be present even at rest depending on the severity of the inflammation.
  • Tenderness around the affected area alongside swelling (significant in some cases).
  • Warm sensation due to the inflammation, particularly if pressure is applied on it.
  • If bursa gets infected, you may have fever. Hence, if you have fever or generally feeling unwell while experiencing patellar bursitis you should contact your GP.

PATELLAR BURSITIS CAUSES

Patellar Bursitis main causes are:

  • Prolonged kneeling position specially on hard surfaces
  • Overuse due to occupation or physical activity
  • Direct blow to the knee (sports like football, volleyball, rugby, martial arts).
  • Complications from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout, bacterial infection, obesity.

PATELLAR BURSITIS DIAGNOSES

The most common tests to diagnose Patellar Bursitis (carpenter´s knee) are:

First approach:

  • what symptoms you’re experiencing
  • when they started
  • how long you’ve had them

Imagery test

PATELLAR BURSITIS TREATMENTS

Home Treatment

This condition can take weeks or months to settle. You can play an active part in speeding up your recovery:

  • Rest: avoid the strenuous pain triggering activity and overuse
  • Activity modification
  • Ice
  • Compression (use elastic bandage to support the knee)
  • Pain relievers

Traditional treatments

  • Crutches-limit the amount of weight over the knee.
  • Knee brace- Stability to the knee.
  • Physical therapy
  • Surgery (severe cases)

Hands on treatment

Physiotherapy and Osteopathy: manipulation to improve range of movement, often the joint is restricted so the muscles have to work harder and from a disadvantaged position

 Return to activity gradual when: 

  • Pain free in all range of movement 
  • Pain free load bearing on knee
  • No swelling 

We can help you!

Lymphatic Drainage

DIAGNOSE

Osteopathy Clinic

CONDITIONS

Perea Clinic

TREATMENTS

Treatments that can help

Here are some treatments that can help with Patellar Bursitis:

  • Massage (Soft Tissue)
    Help decompress the nerve impingement due to tight muscles
  • Osteopathy
    Helps restore normal movement due to misalignment and decompress nerve impingement
  • Physiotherapy/Sports Therapy
    Helps stabilise weak areas and restore normal movement
  • Acupunture
    Helps to loosen up the tissue decompress the nerve impingement in tight muscles

Book a Consultation with

Here are some therapist that can help with Carpente´r knee:

Yaneth Perea- Lymphatic Drainage Therapist

Soft tissue therapist 6 years experience

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