prepatellar bursa prepatellar bursa the prepatellar bursa is a frontal bursa of the knee joint. it is a superficial bursa with a thin synovial lining located between the skin and the patella. prepatellar bursasagittal section of right knee-joint, thus showing only frontal bursae. area of prepatellar bursa markeddetailsidentifierslatinbursa praepatellarista98a04.8.05.014ta22735fma45198anatomical terminology pathology prepatellar bursitis, also known as housemaid's knee, is a common cause of swelling and pain above the patella (kneecap), and is due to inflammation of the prepatellar bursa. it is common in people who frequently kneel, such as roofers, plumbers, carpet layers, and gardeners. it is also common in wrestlers due to the repeated impact on the knee when shooting. symptoms symptoms include knee pain, swelling, redness and inability to flex the knee on the affected side. rest usually relieves symptoms. physical exam reveals erythema, tenderness to touch, fluctuant edema over the lower pole of the patella and crepitus. treatment general treatments consist of bursal aspiration, nsaids. for patients with high athletic or occupational demands, intrabursal steroid injection may be performed. surgical treatment is restricted to severe cases.synovial bursa and tendon sheathssynovial bursaarm subacromial bursa olecranon bursa leg hip trochanteric bursa bursae of the knee joint prepatellar bursa tendon sheathsarm vincula tendina synovial sheath common flexor sheath of hand mucous sheaths on back of wrist leg mucous sheaths of the tendons around the ankle authority control terminologia anatomica