eMedicine Specialties > Sports Medicine > Knee

Pes Anserine Bursitis: Follow-up

Author: Robert F LaPrade, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Divisions of Sports Medicine and Shoulder Services, University of Minnesota Medical School; Director, Orthopedic Biomechanics Lab
Coauthor(s): Scott D Flinn, MD, Force Surgeon, Commander Naval Surface Forces
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Aug 7, 2009

Follow-up

Return to Play

Athletes/patients may return to play or activities based upon their symptoms. In the more severe cases, restrictions on activities may be necessary. In athletes who play contact sports, the use of a protective pad over the affected area may prove useful.

Complications

A small risk of infection exists in recalcitrant cases in which the patient may have undergone an injection; however, if this procedure is performed properly under sterile conditions, the risk of infection is small.

Prevention

The best means to prevent pes anserine bursitis is to make sure that every athlete participates in a regular stretching program for the hamstring tendons.

Prognosis

By itself, pes anserine bursitis is usually a self-limiting condition, which has few long-term sequelae if the individual decides to try to participate in sports or activities and play through the pain. In most patients, a 6-8 week stretching and exercise program alleviates the symptoms.

Education

Educate patients, trainers, and coaches regarding a gradual increase in the patient's activity level and activity duration based on his or her symptoms.

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Arthritis Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Bursitis.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • In patients whose symptoms last more than several months, consideration may be given to referring the patient to a specialist to ensure the correct diagnosis.
  • Obtain radiographs and an MRI to detect an underlying stress fracture or other bony or intra-articular abnormality or pathology.
 


More on Pes Anserine Bursitis

Overview: Pes Anserine Bursitis
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Pes Anserine Bursitis
Treatment & Medication: Pes Anserine Bursitis
Follow-up: Pes Anserine Bursitis
Multimedia: Pes Anserine Bursitis
References
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References

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  2. Forbes JR, Helms CA, Janzen DL. Acute pes anserine bursitis: MR imaging. Radiology. Feb 1995;194(2):525-7. [Medline]. [Full Text].

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  7. Hemler DE, Ward WK, Karstetter KW, Bryant PM. Saphenous nerve entrapment caused by pes anserine bursitis mimicking stress fracture of the tibia. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. Apr 1991;72(5):336-7. [Medline].

  8. Kelly SS, Erpelding JM, Kobs J. Knee and lower leg. In: Snider RK, ed. Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care. Rosemont, Ill: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; 1997:306-65.

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  15. Yoon HS, Kim SE, Suh YR, Seo YI, Kim HA. Correlation between ultrasonographic findings and the response to corticosteroid injection in pes anserinus tendinobursitis syndrome in knee osteoarthritis patients. J Korean Med Sci. Feb 2005;20(1):109-12. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  16. Zaffagnini S, Golanò P, Farinas O, et al. Vascularity and neuroreceptors of the pes anserinus: anatomic study. Clin Anat. Jan 2003;16(1):19-24. [Medline].

  17. Marra MD, Crema MD, Chung M, et al. MRI features of cystic lesions around the knee. Knee. Dec 2008;15(6):423-38. [Medline].

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Further Reading

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Keywords

pes anserine bursitis, pes anserine tendonitis, pes anserine tendinitis, knee bursitis, pes anserinus tendinobursitis, pes anserine tendino-bursitis syndrome, PATB syndrome

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Robert F LaPrade, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Divisions of Sports Medicine and Shoulder Services, University of Minnesota Medical School; Director, Orthopedic Biomechanics Lab
Robert F LaPrade, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Scott D Flinn, MD, Force Surgeon, Commander Naval Surface Forces
Scott D Flinn, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians and American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Gerard A Malanga, MD, Director of Pain Management, Overlook Hospital; Director of PM&R Sports Medicine Fellowship, Atlantic Health; Clinical Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School; Clinical Chief, Rehabilitation Medicine and Electrodiagnosis, St Michael's Medical Center; Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine
Gerard A Malanga, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American College of Sports Medicine, North American Spine Society, and Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Cephalon Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Russell D White, MD, Professor of Medicine, Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Truman Medical Center Lakewood
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Jon B Whitehurst, MD, Clinical Instructor of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine; Partner and Executive Board Member, Rockford Orthopedic Associates; Orthopedic Chairman, Rockford Memorial Hospital
Jon B Whitehurst, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Sherwin SW Ho, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Chicago
Sherwin SW Ho, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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