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Pes anserine bursitis Inner knee pain just below the joint: possible causes, how it is diagnosed, and what a steroid injection does
Pes anserine bursitis is irritation of a small fluid-filled sac on the inner side of the knee, about two to three inches below the joint, where three thigh muscle tendons attach. It typically causes a very tender spot there and pain with stairs, getting up from a chair or at night. Inner knee pain can also come from a meniscus tear, knee arthritis or an MCL sprain, and pes anserine pain often shows up alongside arthritis, so a physician examines the knee first. Treatment usually starts with activity changes, ice and physical therapy, and a steroid injection may be used when the tender spot does not settle.
In the video, a physician gives a steroid injection for pes anserine bursitis. He explains that several muscles attach at that spot on the inner knee, that it can become inflamed, and that people have point tenderness directly over it. The numbing medicine gives immediate relief, and the steroid kicks in over the following days. At Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance, our pain physicians, Ashley Marcus, MD in Brooklyn, Jake Stephen, DO on Staten Island and Yuri Gordin, MD in Manhattan treat inner knee pain as part of pain management and sports medicine.
What pes anserine bursitis feels like
- A tender spot on the inner shin, just below the knee joint
- Pain going up stairs or rising from a chair
- Pain at night, especially lying with the knees touching
- Sometimes mild swelling over the spot
It is more common in runners, people with knee arthritis, people carrying extra weight and those with tight hamstrings.
Other possible causes of inner knee pain
Pain on the inside of the knee has several possible causes: a medial meniscus tear, arthritis on the inner side of the knee, an MCL sprain, or tendon irritation. More than one can be present, and pes anserine pain often accompanies knee arthritis. A physician presses on the exact spot, checks the joint line and ligaments, and orders X-rays, ultrasound or an MRI when the exam suggests they will change the plan. See knee pain causes and knee pain treatment.
Pes anserine bursitis treatment
- Load changes: fewer stairs, hills and deep squats for a while; a pillow between the knees at night
- Ice over the tender spot after activity
- Physical therapy: hamstring and calf flexibility and thigh and hip strengthening, at our Brooklyn and Staten Island offices; see physical therapy for knee pain
- Steroid injection: into the tender area when pain persists, as in the video; see joint injections and cortisone shot in the knee
- Treating knee arthritis when it is part of the picture; see knee arthritis treatment
Pain procedures are performed at all three offices, and your physician explains where and when yours will be scheduled.
How long recovery takes
Many people improve over several weeks with these steps, and an injection can speed relief for some. Get seen promptly if the knee is hot, red and swollen, you have a fever, or you cannot put weight on the leg.
Related care at Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance
Inner knee pain treatment near you
Looking for a knee pain doctor near me for inner knee pain? Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance sees patients at three offices. Ashley Marcus, MD practices at our Brooklyn office on Shell Rd, close to Midwood, Homecrest and Sheepshead Bay. Jake Stephen, DO sees patients at our Staten Island office on Richmond Rd, near Dongan Hills, New Dorp and Todt Hill.
Yuri Gordin, MD practices at the Precision Care Spine & Pain Center in Midtown Manhattan, convenient to Midtown East, Murray Hill and Washington Heights. Physical therapy for the knee is offered in Brooklyn and Staten Island. Request an appointment or call the office closest to you.
150 E 55th St, Suite 401, New York, NY 10022
(212) 840-0135
Questions patients ask
Where is pes anserine bursitis pain felt?
On the inner side of the knee, about two to three inches below the joint, often with a very tender spot you can point to.
What causes pes anserine bursitis?
Overuse, tight hamstrings, running, extra body weight and knee arthritis are common contributors. Other knee problems can cause similar pain, so an exam is needed.
How quickly does a pes anserine injection work?
The numbing medicine can ease pain right away; the steroid usually takes a few days to a week or two to work.
Can physical therapy help pes anserine bursitis?
Yes. Stretching tight hamstrings and calves and strengthening the thigh and hip muscles can reduce strain on the area.
Is pes anserine bursitis the same as a meniscus tear?
No. A medial meniscus tear usually hurts along the joint line, while pes anserine pain is lower, on the upper shin. An exam and sometimes imaging tell them apart.
Where can I get pes anserine bursitis treatment near me?
Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance treats inner knee pain at three offices:
- Brooklyn2781 Shell Rd, Suite 101, Brooklyn, NY 11223(718) 648-1234 · Get directions
- Staten Island1630 Richmond Rd, Suite 101, Staten Island, NY 10304(718) 339-7100 · Get directions
- Midtown Manhattan150 E 55th St, Suite 401, New York, NY 10022(212) 840-0135 · Get directions
Pain procedures are performed at all three offices, and your physician explains where and when yours will be scheduled.
Educational only, not medical advice. These videos and this article explain common problems and treatments in general terms. They are not a diagnosis or a treatment plan for you. Results vary from person to person. See a qualified clinician about your own symptoms, and call 911 or go to an emergency room for an emergency.
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