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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffDoctors often can make a diagnosis of knee bursitis during the physical exam. Tests to rule out other problems or to check for infection are sometimes necessary.
Imaging tests
To help rule out injuries that may cause signs and symptoms similar to those of bursitis, your doctor may order one of more of the following imaging tests:
- X-ray. While they can't visualize bursae, X-rays may be useful in revealing a bone fracture, tumor or arthritis.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRIs use radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of structures within your body. This technology is particularly good at visualizing soft tissues, such as bursae.
- Ultrasound. Using sound waves to produce images in real time, ultrasound may be used to visualize swelling in the affected bursa. In some instances, a contrast material may be injected to improve the image.
Aspiration
If your doctor suspects that you have an infection or gout in the bursa, he or she may use a needle to obtain a sample of the bursa fluid for testing.
- Questions and answers about bursitis and tendinitis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bursitis/bursitis_tendinitis_qa.pdf. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
- Hanada E, et al. Knee bursitis. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/120873802-11/805536116/1678/65.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50064-X_1032. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
- Anderson BC. Knee bursitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
- Regional processes: Knee. In: Noble J, et al. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2001. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/125156294-3/814972377/959/864.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-00828-3..50139-4--cesec42_4185. Accessed March 11, 2009.
- Prepatellar (kneecap) bursitis. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00338. Accessed March 11, 2009.
- Kouotouzis T, et al. Tendinopathy and bursitis. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/125156294-3/814972377/1365/357.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02845-4..50120-7--cesec40_5880. Accessed March 11, 2009.
- Huddleston JI, et al. Hip and knee pain. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/125156294-5/815026131/1807/290.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10042-7--s0020_1201. Accessed March 11, 2009.
