Knee - prepatella & infrapatella bursitis

Prepatella bursitis is also known as housemaid's knee.  Infrapatella bursitis is known as clergyman's knee.  These conditions start as secondary to chronic trauma.  The bursa appears to protect the underlying tendon.  They may become infected and as a local collection of pus will need incision and drainage.  Aspiration and injection of the uninfected bursa is:

• Easy

• Consistent site, shape and size

• Tenderness guides placement

• Moderate chance of success

• Avoid after acute injury or in skeletally immature

Click on the icon above to activate the video clip demonstrating the clergyman's knee in this carpet fitter.

The image above is of an infected prepatella bursa. The dotted line demonstrates the effectiveness of antibiotics on the cellulitis prior to surgical incision for the collection.