By 2. Use Cold
Cold helps calm knee bursitis by lowering swelling and easing pain. When applied, cold slows blood flow to the area, which helps limit fluid buildup and makes the knee feel less sore and tight. You can use an ice pack, a bag of frozen vegetables, or a reusable cold gel pack, depending on what is available.
Always wrap the cold source in a thin towel before placing it on your knee, since direct contact with ice can irritate or damage the skin. Apply cold for about 10 minutes at a time, then remove it and allow the skin to return to normal temperature. This can be repeated every few hours during the day, especially after activity or long periods of knee use.
Cold works best during flare-ups or after kneeling, walking long distances, or using stairs. If the knee feels warm, puffy, or tender to touch, cold can help settle the irritation and restore comfort. Many people notice relief within the first few days when cold use is combined with reduced knee strain and regular rest.
3. Elevate Area
Elevation helps reduce knee swelling by allowing fluid to move away from the joint. Keeping the knee raised above heart level eases pressure inside the area, which can help lower discomfort. This approach works best when swelling follows overuse or minor strain.
To elevate the knee, rest on a bed or couch and place pillows under the calf and ankle so the leg stays supported and relaxed. Avoid placing pillows directly behind the knee, as this position can strain the joint. Elevate the knee for short periods several times a day, aiming for 15 to 30 minutes at a time.
Elevation can be done while reading, watching television, or using a phone. Using this method after activity may help limit swelling later in the day. When lowering the leg, move slowly to allow blood flow to return to normal. Pause and rest if swelling increases or if the knee becomes warm or red.
4. Medication
Medication can help lower pain and swelling when knee bursitis flares up. It is usually used along with rest and activity changes. The goal is to calm inflammation in the area so movement feels more comfortable.
Over-the-counter pain relievers are often the first option. These medicines help ease soreness and stiffness and are meant for short-term use. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work on both pain and swelling.
They reduce inflammation inside the bursa, the small fluid-filled sac near the knee. Some people choose topical forms that are applied to the skin to limit stomach irritation. If pain and swelling do not improve, a healthcare provider may recommend a corticosteroid injection. This medication is placed directly into the inflamed area and can reduce swelling more quickly than pills.
5. Aspiration
Aspiration removes excess fluid from the swollen area around the knee. A trained clinician uses a thin needle to draw out the fluid, which helps lower pressure and can make movement less painful. This step is often considered when swelling remains large or uncomfortable despite rest and ice.
Aspiration is also useful when fluid needs to be tested for signs of infection, as the results can guide the next steps in care. The procedure is usually done in a clinic and takes only a short time. The skin is cleaned to reduce infection risk, and a numbing medicine may be used. You may feel brief pressure during the process, but most people tolerate it well. After aspiration, swelling often decreases within a few days. The knee may feel lighter and bend more easily. Protecting the joint and avoiding deep kneeling helps support healing.
6. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy helps the knee heal by improving movement and lowering stress on the joint. You work with a trained professional who guides safe exercises, with sessions focused on steady progress rather than quick fixes. Therapy usually begins with gentle movements to reduce stiffness and swelling. The therapist may guide slow bends, leg lifts, and light stretches. These exercises help the knee move more smoothly and ease pressure on the irritated bursa.
As the knee improves, strengthening exercises may be added to support the muscles around the joint, especially the quadriceps and hamstrings. Stronger muscles help stabilize the knee and reduce strain during walking, standing, or bending. Physical therapy also teaches safer movement patterns. This can include guidance on kneeling, standing up, and using stairs. Small adjustments in how you move can help protect the knee during work, sports, and daily chores.
7. Steroid Injection
A steroid injection can help lower pain and swelling when knee bursitis does not improve with rest and home care. A healthcare provider places the injection near the inflamed bursa, the small fluid-filled sac that cushions the joint.
The injection usually contains a corticosteroid combined with a numbing medicine. The numbing medicine may ease pain for a few hours right after the shot. The corticosteroid works more slowly and often takes several days to reduce swelling and stiffness. The visit typically lasts less than 30 minutes, and you can go home the same day.
In some cases, the provider uses imaging to guide the needle and ensure the medicine reaches the correct area. Mild soreness or redness at the injection site can occur, and some people feel a brief return of pain once the numbing medicine wears off.
After the injection, the knee may need a short period of rest to allow the medicine to work effectively. Doctors usually advise limiting heavy activity for a day or two. While many people experience relief, repeated injections are usually spaced apart to avoid irritation of nearby tissues.
8. Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used only when knee bursitis is caused by bacteria, a condition known as infected bursitis. This type may develop after a cut, scrape, or repeated pressure that allows bacteria to enter the area. Signs can include redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, or fever. When these symptoms appear, medical care is needed.
Most cases of knee bursitis do not require antibiotics. Overuse, prolonged kneeling, or repeated pressure are more common causes, and rest, cold use, and activity changes are usually enough to support recovery. Using antibiotics when they are not needed does not improve healing and may lead to unwanted side effects or resistance.
When infection is suspected, a clinician may remove fluid from the swollen area to check for bacteria and reduce pressure. If infection is confirmed, oral antibiotics are prescribed and should be taken exactly as directed until the course is finished. Improvement usually begins within a few days of starting treatment, although swelling may take longer to settle. Follow-up visits may be needed to make sure the infection is clearing and that fluid is not building up again around the knee.
