Prepatellar bursitis or knee bursitis is usually characterized by swelling at the front of the kneecap. This swelling often occurs because of a significant blow to the area or from excessive kneeling. Baseball catchers frequently suffer from knee bursitis because of their having to squat and kneel for several hours a day. That kind of chronic trauma to the knees can cause the knee bursae to inflame.

In addition, the swelling might not occur right away. Sometimes swelling doesn't occur for 10 to 12 days after the knee is infected with bursitis. If you've recently taken a blow to the knee but experienced no swelling, monitor the area for inflammation. Stay off the affected leg as much as possible and apply ice to the damaged knee. You might be able to avert serious bursitis if you address the affected knee before it swells.

Dealing with Knee Bursitis

Anserine bursitis is a type of knee bursitis that received its name because the bursa in that part of the body looks like a goose's foot when swollen. "Anserine" literally means gooselike. The anserine bursa looks a bit like a fan and it rests among three of the primary tendons around the knee. Anserine bursitis can be especially painful and occurs most commonly in middle-aged women with osteoarthritis.

This type of knee bursitis seems to flare up at night. People with anserine bursitis often complain about nagging nighttime pain. To help alleviate some of this nighttime pain, you can sleep with a pillow between your thighs. If that doesn't work, you should consult your doctor and see what other pain relieving options are available. There are also all-natural topical relief creams that help for many bursitis sufferers.