Infrapatellar bursitis: an often forgotten pathology of the knee.

Abstract

Disorders of the infrapatellar bursa are relatively common. This possible diagnosis should be kept in mind when examining the knee joint.

Research suggests the importance of the deep infrapatellar bursa (DIPB) as a potential site of pathology including calcification, inflammatory bursitis, septic bursitis, gout, Osgood-Schlatter lesions and traumatic haemorrhage. The DIPB has also been implicated in the infrapatellar contracture syndrome, a potential cause of restricted knee range of motion postoperatively or subsequent to injury.

The importance of differential diagnosis is discussed, with appropriate management based on the limited studies available in the literature.

Keywords:

• infrapatellar bursa
• knee
• bursitis