Pes Anserine Bursitis Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Pes anserine bursitis is inflammation of the pes anserine bursa in the knee. The pes anserine bursa is located between the shinbone and the three tendons of the hamstring that connect at the inner side of the knee.

A bursa is a small sac filled with fluid that sits between a bone and a tissue, like a muscle, in order to reduce friction. Without a bursa, the bone and tissue would rub against each other, eventually wearing a hole in the tissue, much like when a hole is worn into a sock. Bursae are located all throughout the body. When strain is placed on a bursa, it can become irritated and inflamed.

Common causes of pes anserine bursitis include strain and/or stress on the bursa. This can occur for numerous reasons, like:

• Repetitive stress on the knee from overuse
• Poor training practices and mechanics
• Not stretching before workouts
• A sudden increase in demand on the body

Pes anserine bursitis is common in these sports:

• Long distance running
• Swimming

You may have pes anserine bursitis if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Pain over the location of the bursa
• Pain that increases when climbing stairs
• Increase in pain when exercising

If you are experiencing symptoms of pes anserine bursitis that do not resolve or that get worse over time, make an appointment to see an orthopedic specialist. During your appointment, your doctor will ask you to describe your symptoms as well as the movements you perform most often for your sport.

In order to make a diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe the following imaging tests:

• X-ray to check for other more serious problems, like a stress fracture in the shin

Pes anserine bursitis is treated using non-operative remedies. Non-operative treatments used to treat pes anserine bursitis include:

• Resting the affected knee
• Icing the area to reduce inflammation
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation
• A home exercise program
• Physical therapy to stretch the muscles of the knee
• Corticosteroid injection to relieve pain (administered by your orthopedic specialist)

Try these exercises to help address your condition:

Below is a PDF of the Exercise Program

Pes Anserine Bursitis

Pes anserine bursitis does not require surgery and is always treated conservatively, using non-operative treatments.

If you have been diagnosed with pes anserine bursitis, you can typically return to normal activities within three to six weeks. Generally, it’s safe to return to sports when you’re no longer experiencing pain and have regained normal strength and range of motion in the leg. In addition, it’s important to regularly stretch, decrease inflammation by using ice or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, and practice good mechanics of the legs to ensure that pes anserine bursitis does not recur.