Prepatellar Bursitis Treatment Guidelines Handout

In many cases, prepatellar bursitis can resolve on its own, especially with rest and home treatments such as ice and activity modification. However, if the bursitis is due to infection and not because of a knee injury, or if symptoms persist despite self-care, treatment by a healthcare professional may be necessary to avoid complications and promote recovery.

The first line of treatment for bursitis typically involves conservative measures, such as rest, ice application, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to manage pain and reduce swelling. These approaches are effective for most kinds of soft tissue injury, allowing inflammation to subside and healing to begin.

The best treatment for prepatellar bursitis depends on the severity of the condition. Mild cases usually respond well to rest, ice, and non-steroidal anti-inflammation drugs (NSAIDs), while more severe or persistent cases may require aspiration, corticosteroid injections, or even surgery. The appropriate knee bursitis treatment should be guided by the underlying cause and the patient’s response to initial therapies.