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Pre-patellar bursitis

Pre-patellar bursitis (housemaid's knee) is inflammation in the pre-patellar bursa appearing as a tense swelling in front of the kneecap and discreet from the kneecap bone itself.

A bursa is a cavity or tissue pocket that exists where two body tissue surfaces need to move in relation to one another when the joint moves. The smooth lubricated surfaces of the bursa prevent friction between these surfaces. When the bursa becomes inflamed it fills up with fluid, secreted from the lining cells of the bursa - this is called bursitis. The fluid within the bursa can become quite tense. Such inflammation is painful and often associated with a particular over-done activity.