Canoeists knee: I’ve never heard of it – what is it?
It’s more commonly known as prepatella bursitis or housemaid’s knee , but I don’t know many canoeists who are also good housemaids!
What’s a bursa?
Bursas are fluid filled sacs which reduce friction usually between muscle and bone, they are found in many joints on the body
The prepatella bursa sits in front of the kneecap (patella) and reduces friction between the patella and the skin.
Bursitis simply means inflammation of a bursa.
What causes canoeists knee?
Prepatella bursitis can have a traumatic cause, usually resulting from a fall onto the knees.
More commonly it is seen in people who spend a prolonged amount of time kneeling – canoeists who paddle from a kneeling position, carpet fitters, gardeners etc.
Sometimes the bursa can become inflamed because of infection, or an underlying inflammatory condition such as gout.
What are the symptoms of canoeist’s knee?
- Localised pain at the front of the knee, which is generally more painful when you press on it, or kneel on it.
- Localised swelling at the front of the knee.
- The swollen area may be red and hot, which can be evidence of infection. If the bursa is infected you may develop a fever and feel generally unwell.
What can I do about it?
- Ice- try wrapping something like a bag of frozen peas in a damp tea cloth and place it on the front of the knee. This helps to reduce the inflammation. Perhaps read Helping to heal an injury with ice for more advice.
- Avoid kneeling: try a different boat or paddling position for a time, or if this isn’t possible use some knee padding.
Should I go and see someone?
If your knee is red, hot or swollen it may be infected and you should seek a medical opinion.
Other medical options for treatment of prepatella bursitis include prescription of anti – inflammatory drugs or aspiration – a needle is introduced into the bursa and the excess fluid is drawn off.
If you want to know more about how to self manage your injuries, take a read of our articles
For more advice
Sports Injury Clinic - Knee Injuries
Disclaimer: The information on this page is written to help you understand your injury. There are many possible causes for knee pain and should you have any concerns you should always seek advice from a qualified health professional such as a Chartered Physiotherapist or your GP.
