Infrapatellar bursitis

Infrapatellar bursitis
Other namesPastor's knee, Vicar's knee, clergyman's knee
Cross section of the human knee
TypesSuperficial, deep
Risk factorsKneeling, crawling
Diagnostic methodBased on symptom and physical examination
Differential diagnosisPatellar tendonitis, prepatellar bursitis
FrequencyRelatively rare

Infrapatellar bursitis, also known as pastor's knee, is inflammation of the superficial or deep infrapatellar bursa. Symptoms may include knee pain, swelling, and redness just below the kneecap. It may be complicated by patellar tendonitis.

Risk factors include kneeling or crawling. It may also be brought on by frequent bending of the knees while standing, squatting, running, or jumping. Diagnosis is generally based on symptom and physical examination. When the deep bursa is involved, bending the knee generally increases the pain. Other conditions that may appear similar include patellar tendonitis and prepatellar bursitis.

Treatment is generally by rest, alternating between ice and heat, and NSAIDs. Infrapatellar bursitis is relatively rare. Due to the kneeling being enjoined in church services, infrapatellar bursitis has also been called pastor's knee, vicar's knee and clergyman's knee.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Williams, Mark E. Williams (21 June 2010). Geriatric Physical Diagnosis: A Guide to Observation and Assessment. McFarland. p. 205. ISBN 978-0-7864-5160-9. Swelling and tenderness below the patella suggests infrapatellar bursitis (pastor's knee).
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Silver, Julie K.; Rizzo, Thomas D. (2008). Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 355. ISBN 9781416040071.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Kinirons, Mark; Ellis, Harold (2011). French's Index of Differential Diagnosis, 1 An A-Z. CRC Press. p. 377. ISBN 9781444128703.
  4. 1 2 Adams, James G. (2012). Emergency Medicine E-Book: Clinical Essentials (Expert Consult - Online and Print). Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 760. ISBN 9781455733941.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Khodaee, M (15 February 2017). "Common Superficial Bursitis". American Family Physician. 95 (4): 224–231. PMID 28290630.
  6. 1 2 Talley, Nicholas J.; O’Connor, Simon (2013). Clinical Examination: A Systematic Guide to Physical Diagnosis. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 320. ISBN 9780729581479.
  7. ↑ Waldman, Steven D. (2009). Pain Review: (Expert Consult: Online and Print). Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 320. ISBN 9781437711264.