On 12/14/2012 ronni01 said:

I think I may have this - after waiting 2 weeks to go into the doctors office (thinking it would get better) I did get in today and she did some lab tests just to rule out like gout etc. Won't get the results back til next week. She sais it sounded like I have bursitis. Let me tell you - it is very, very painful. It is like a constant pain and she did not give me anything - just told me Ibuprofen is fine to take, ice it and rest. I'm just wondering if I will need to get a cortisone shot. I did have a cortisone shot in my other knee in 2010 - but I'm not sure if this is the same issue yet or not yet. Anyone have any remedies (for at home) to try to help with the pain?? TIA.

What type of doctor gave you this diagnosis? If this is indeed bursitis of the knee, if is much different than arthritic or inflammation types of knee pain. The bursa is a fluid filled sac and most commonly with bursitis in this area, a swelling a redness can readily be seen. Also with this condition your knee should still have pretty much the same flexibility as a pain free knee.

I have bursitis in my left shoulder and have had this for years. It would come and go, and while painful, it is nowhere close to arthritic joint pain. With many types of bursitis, with some careful attention to it, like rest or immobility in my case, it will go away on it's own. Seems like Ibuprofen or Naproxen (Aleve) should take care of the pain.

For any type of inflammation or swelling, the more times you elevate it and ice it, the better it will be. Take the anti-inflammatory and do the RICE system which is:

REST

ICE

COMPRESSION(this may help or it may not)

ELEVATION

According to my friend that is an Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in knees and hips, bursitis is something that will usually go away on it's own with the above treatment. He says to always compare your knee caps and see if one looks more swelled than the other. It also might be very red and warm to the touch.

He certainly would not give you a cortisone shot for bursitis, as it is an inflammation that is a lot different than joint inflammation. The bursa holds fluid and as such is not the same as arthritis.

If the pain continues and you haven't seen an Orthopod or rheumatologist, that would be my next suggestion for you.

hckynut(john)

I hope all works out well for you. The bursitis in my shoulder is still around but does not come around near as often since I retired from my heavy lifting job.

Keep me posted on how things are going, eh?

My best to you,

hckynut(john)

I've had bursistis in my right arm. It only lasted about 7-8 months and fianlly went away. I know someone that has it in their knee and their doctor gives them regular cortisone shots for it.