Pain Management Procedures
Knee Bursa Injections
Knee Bursa Injections
What is a bursa injection?
Bursae are small cushions that reduce friction around the knee. Different bursae can become irritated above, below, in front of, or on the inner side of the joint. A bursa injection places medication into the specific inflamed sac. It is not the same as an injection into the knee joint.
When may it be recommended?
The procedure may be considered when examination and, when needed, ultrasound show focal bursitis that has not improved with activity changes, ice, medication, compression, or therapy. If infection is possible - especially with a red, hot, swollen bursa - fluid may need to be removed and tested, and steroid should not be injected until infection is excluded.
What happens?
The knee is positioned to expose the affected bursa. Ultrasound can help distinguish the bursa from tendons, blood vessels, and the joint. The area is cleaned and numbed. Fluid may be aspirated, followed by local anesthetic and corticosteroid when appropriate.
What should I expect?
Pressure and soreness can occur briefly. Avoid direct kneeling or the activity that irritated the bursa while it settles. Improvement may begin over several days. Recurrence is possible if the underlying pressure or movement problem continues.
Important risks
Risks include bleeding, infection, medication reaction, skin or fat thinning, temporary blood-sugar elevation, and tendon injury if the target is inaccurate. Increasing redness, fever, drainage, or rapidly worsening swelling requires prompt evaluation.
Preparing for your injection procedure…
Your instructions will depend on the procedure. Before any injection, tell the APG team if you:
Take aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, apixaban, rivaroxaban, or another medicine or supplement that affects bleeding. Never stop a prescribed blood thinner unless the clinician who manages it and the procedure team tell you how to do so safely.
Have diabetes, glaucoma, a bleeding disorder, an active infection, fever, or recent antibiotic treatment.
Could be pregnant, have an allergy to contrast dye or local anesthetic, or have reacted to steroid injections before.
Use an implanted pacemaker, defibrillator, spinal cord stimulator, or other electrical device.
Some procedures require fasting, a medication adjustment, or a responsible adult to drive you home, especially when sedation is planned. Follow the instructions provided for your specific appointment.
After your injection procedure…
Most injections are outpatient procedures. Mild soreness, bruising, temporary numbness, or a brief increase in the usual pain can occur. Follow the activity and bandage instructions you receive. Steroid medicine may take several days to have an effect and can temporarily raise blood sugar.
Call the office promptly for increasing redness, drainage, fever, severe or rapidly worsening pain, or new numbness or weakness. Seek emergency care for trouble breathing, chest pain, sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, a severe new headache, loss of vision, stroke-like symptoms, or rapidly progressing weakness.
This information is for general education and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Not every procedure is appropriate for every patient, and results vary. Your APG care team will review your symptoms, examination, imaging, medical history, medications, and prior treatment before recommending a plan. Coverage requirements also vary by insurance plan.