Pes Anserine Bursitis Specialist In Singapore

The pes anserine area has three tendons: the sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus muscles.

• Sartorius Muscle
  Starts at the hip and crosses the thigh to the knee, helping to bend the knee and hip.
• Gracilis Muscle
  Runs from the pelvis to the inner knee, assisting in knee bending and hip adduction.
• Semitendinosus Muscle
  Extending from the pelvis to the inner knee aids in bending the knee and extending the hip.

Beneath these tendons lies the pes anserine bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between the tendons and the shinbone, ensuring smooth knee movements.

The following factors can contribute to pes anserine bursitis:

• Overuse and Repetitive Stress
  Activities that involve frequent bending and straightening of the knee, such as running, cycling, and hiking, can irritate the bursa.
• Direct Trauma
  A direct blow to the inner knee can cause inflammation of the bursa.
• Improper Exercise Techniques
  Incorrect form during exercise or sports can put extra stress on the knee, leading to bursitis.
• Obesity
  Excess weight increases stress on the knee joint, including the pes anserine area.
• Osteoarthritis
  Knee osteoarthritis can alter the mechanics of the knee, increasing the risk of bursitis.
• Tight Hamstring Muscles
  Tightness in the hamstring muscles can pull on the pes anserine area and irritate.

Diagnosing pes anserine bursitis involves a combination of clinical evaluation and, if necessary, imaging tests. Here’s how the process typically unfolds:

• Clinical Examination
  A detailed discussion will be about the patient’s symptoms, activity levels, and knee problems or injury history. A physical examination will then identify pain, swelling, and tenderness in the pes anserine area.
• Other Tests
  In some cases, if the diagnosis remains uncertain or there’s a need to rule out infection, the doctor may recommend extracting fluid from the bursa for laboratory analysis.
• Imaging Tests
  X-rays:Although X-rays cannot show soft tissues like the bursa, an orthopaedic surgeon can use them to help rule out other bone-related causes of knee pain, such as fractures or osteoarthritis.
  Ultrasound: This test can visualise soft tissue structures and is useful for confirming inflammation of the bursa
  Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): An MRI provides detailed images of soft tissues and is helpful if the diagnosis is unclear or if treatment hasn’t led to improvement. MRI can also identify other potential sources of knee pain.