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What Could Swelling Of Knee Indicate?
I woke up yesterday with swelling behind the knee and now the front of the knee is swollen and warm There is pain when I walk but very little when sitting with leg level. What could this be? I have not fallen and do not remember twisting the knee. I am a 69 year old female.
Tue, 25 Feb 2014
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
swelling around the knee joint is inflammation of a bursa known as bursitis. There are bursa sacks throughout the body. The most common one around the knee is directly on top of the kneecap known technically as the pre-patellar bursa. Normally the bursa is a thin fluid filled sack that you can’t even feel. However, when it is injured it enlarges as it fills with fluid and/or blood. This can happen when you are hit directly in the front of the knee or fall on the knee. Pre-patellar bursitis is also seen frequently in people who work down on their knees such as carpet layers and those that clean their kitchen floors by hand. That is the reason this condition used to be referred to as “housemaid’s knee”.
I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
Thanks for your query.
swelling around the knee joint is inflammation of a bursa known as bursitis. There are bursa sacks throughout the body. The most common one around the knee is directly on top of the kneecap known technically as the pre-patellar bursa. Normally the bursa is a thin fluid filled sack that you can’t even feel. However, when it is injured it enlarges as it fills with fluid and/or blood. This can happen when you are hit directly in the front of the knee or fall on the knee. Pre-patellar bursitis is also seen frequently in people who work down on their knees such as carpet layers and those that clean their kitchen floors by hand. That is the reason this condition used to be referred to as “housemaid’s knee”.
I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
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