Do I Have Housemaid’s Knee (Prepatellar Bursitis)?

Do you have pain and swelling of the front of your knee?

Did the front of your knee swell quickly?

Did you notice redness of the skin over the knee?

Is your knee tender and warm to the touch?

Do you have difficulty bending your knee, kneeling and walking?

Do you feel knee pain during usual everyday activity, but not during sleep?

Do you have a high temperature (fever) and chills?

Do you spend a lot of time kneeling at work (carpet fitters, concrete finishers and roofers)?

Did you suffer a fall or a direct blow to the knee?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have housemaid’s knee. Housemaid’s knee is a medical condition also called prepatellar bursitis. It is characterized by inflammation of the bursa (a small fluid-filled sac) that is located in front of the knee cap. The bursa acts as a cushion between the bones, tendons and muscles around the joint, reducing friction and allowing maximum range of motion in the knee joint. The inflamed bursa is swollen due to the accumulation of fluid inside the bursa sac. Housemaid’s knee is common in people who spend a long time kneeling like carpet fitters, concrete finishers and roofers.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have housemaid’s knee. Housemaid’s knee refers to the inflammation of a small sac filled with fluid (prepatellar bursa) located in front of your knee. It can be caused by excessive kneeling, falling or a direct blow to the knee. Also, housemaid’s knee may be the result of some pre-existing inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. It is more common in men than in women. A doctor can usually make a diagnosis based on a knee examination. If your doctor suspects an infection, he can suggest a laboratory analysis of the fluid from the bursa.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have housemaid’s knee. Housemaid’s knee or prepatellar bursitis is an inflammation of a fluid-filled sac (bursa) in the knee. It is characterized by rapid swelling of the front of the knee cap. Swelling and pain in the knee can make it difficult to bend your leg, kneel or walk. There are several treatment options including rest, ice packs, medications and stretching exercises. Avoid activities that put pressure on the knee cap (kneeling and squatting), but if you still have to kneel, use gel knee pads. In rare cases, drainage of knee fluid or surgery may be required.