Bursitis
Putting pressure on your knee can become painful and uncomfortable when you have bursitis, affecting everything from kneeling and walking to exercise and everyday activities. At Fortius Clinic, our specialists combine expert diagnosis with personalised care to support your recovery. We'll help you understand your condition, guide you through your treatment options and work with you towards a safe return to everyday activities. Early assessment can help identify the cause of your symptoms, rule out other knee conditions and ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment.
Specialist expertise
Our knee consultants use their experience and clinical knowledge to understand your symptoms, confirm the diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.
Sports medicine experience
We regularly support everyone from recreational exercisers to elite athletes, helping people manage knee injuries and overuse conditions and return to the activities that matter to them.
Flexible access to care
Whether you're self-funding, using private medical insurance or have a referral, we'll help you access specialist care as quickly as possible.
What is bursitis?
A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that cushions and reduces friction between bones, tendons, muscles and skin around a joint. There are several bursae around the knee, helping it move smoothly during everyday activities. Bursitis occurs when one of these bursae becomes inflamed. This can happen after a direct blow to the knee, repeated pressure from kneeling, or overuse during work, exercise or sport. In some cases, bursitis may also develop alongside conditions such as arthritis or infection.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary depending on which bursa is affected, but commonly include:
- Pain around the knee
- Localised swelling
- Tenderness when touching the affected area
- Warmth or redness over the swelling
- Pain during kneeling, walking, climbing stairs or exercise
- Stiffness or discomfort when moving the knee
If your knee becomes very swollen, red, hot or painful, or you develop a fever, it is important to seek urgent medical assessment as these may be signs of an infected bursa.
How is it diagnosed?
Your consultant will begin by asking about your symptoms, medical history and any recent injuries or activities that may have contributed to your knee pain. They'll then examine your knee to identify the affected area and assess how your symptoms are affecting your movement.
To confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment, we may recommend:
- A detailed medical history
- Physical examination
- Assessment of your knee movement and tenderness
- Ultrasound scan to assess the inflamed bursa
- X-rays if another bone problem is suspected
- MRI scan if further assessment of the surrounding structures is needed
- Aspiration (removing fluid from the bursa) where appropriate, particularly if infection or gout is suspected
In some cases, aspiration and an ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection can be performed during the same appointment.
How is it treated?
Your consultant will recommend a treatment plan based on the type of bursitis, the severity of your symptoms and your lifestyle.
Treatment may include:
- Activity modification to reduce irritation
- Rest and gradual return to activity
- Ice to help reduce pain and swelling
- Anti-inflammatory medication if appropriate
- Pain relief where needed
- Physiotherapy to improve strength, flexibility and movement
- Aspiration to remove excess fluid where appropriate
- Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection to reduce persistent inflammation
Surgery is rarely required and is usually only considered if symptoms continue despite appropriate non-surgical treatment or if bursitis repeatedly returns.
Treatment routes
Most cases of knee bursitis improve without surgery.
Treatment usually focuses on reducing inflammation, relieving pain and allowing the irritated bursa to recover. This may include activity modification, physiotherapy, medication and, where appropriate, aspiration or a corticosteroid injection. Most people notice gradual improvement over several weeks.
Recovery goals
The initial focus is on:
Reducing pain and swelling Protecting the irritated area Maintaining gentle knee movement Avoiding activities that aggravate symptoms
As symptoms settle, rehabilitation focuses on:
Restoring normal movement Improving flexibility Building strength around the knee Returning to everyday activities with greater comfort
The final stage aims to:
Gradually return to work, exercise or sport Improve balance, strength and control Reduce the risk of symptoms returning Build confidence in your knee during daily activities
Working with professionals and teams
Our consultants support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places repeated demands on their knees. Working closely with physiotherapists, strength and conditioning specialists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they develop personalised treatment plans that support a safe return to sport, work and everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Knee Treatments
Dedicated to restoring your mobility through advanced surgical care, tailored rehabilitation programmes, and compassionate, evidence-based patient support.
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Bursitis FAQs
Many cases improve with rest, activity modification and simple treatments. However, if your symptoms persist, become more painful or keep returning, it's important to have your knee assessed to identify the underlying cause.
Recovery varies depending on the type and severity of bursitis. Mild cases often improve within a few weeks, while more persistent inflammation may take several months. Your consultant will advise what to expect based on your individual recovery.
Can I still exercise with knee bursitis?
Not everyone needs an injection. If your symptoms do not improve with rest, physiotherapy and other non-surgical treatments, an ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection may help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Yes. Smoking and vaping can slow the body's natural healing process and may prolong recovery from inflammation or surgery. Stopping smoking, or reducing how much you smoke, can support healing and lower the risk of complications. If you would like help to stop smoking, speak to your GP or visit the NHS Quit Smoking website.
Yes. Bursitis can return if the underlying cause, such as repeated kneeling, overuse or ongoing pressure on the knee, is not addressed. Following your rehabilitation programme and making any recommended activity modifications can help reduce the risk of recurrence.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
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