http://www.orthopaedicweblinks.com Prepatellar Bursitis en-us Sun Apr 20 2008 14:25:50 GMT Copyright 2005 OWL Inc. orthopaedicweblinks@gmail.com (Christian Veillette) orthopaedicweblinks@gmail.com (OWL Inc.) http://www.orthopaedicweblinks.com/Detailed/4628.html Anatomy: <br> - four bursae around knee are susecptible to and inflammatory response from direct or indirect trauma; <br> - prepatellar bursae is most commonly affected area (housemaids knee); <br> - may show significant degree of swelling; <br> - two bursae are infrequently affected; <br> - infrapatellar and deep patellar bursae; <br> - when dx is in must also consider fat pad impingment syndrome versus bursitis; <br> - fourth bursa: <br> - deep to pes arserinus insertion; <br> - rarely affected w/ bursitis (dx of exclusion) <br> - first r/o chondral frx, meniscal tear, or osteonecrosis; <br>Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics 2002-02-04 14:25:50 GMT http://www.orthopaedicweblinks.com/cgi-bin/owl/jump.cgi?ID=4628 C.R.Wheeless http://www.orthopaedicweblinks.com/Detailed/13946.html The prepatellar bursa is a superficial bursa with a thin synovial lining located between the skin and the patella. Normally, it does not communicate with the joint space and contains a minimal amount of fluid; however, inflammation of the prepatellar bursa results in marked increase of fluid within its space.<br> Pathophysiology: The prepatellar bursa is a flat round synovial-lined structure; its main function is to separate the patella from the patellar tendon and skin. This bursa is superficial, suggesting that it is undeveloped at birth. Within the first few months to years of life, the bursa arises from direct pressure and friction. The function of the bursa is to reduce friction and allow maximal range of motion (ROM).<br><b> Synonyms and related keywords:</b> prepatellar bursitis, housemaid's knee, carpet layer's knee, beat knee<br> Allen & Fried 2007 2008-04-10 14:25:50 GMT http://www.orthopaedicweblinks.com/cgi-bin/owl/jump.cgi?ID=13946 Allen & Fried