Numerous bursae occur in the vicinity of the knee joint, in relation to the attachments of the various muscles and ligaments. Anteriorly there are the suprapatellar and the pre-patellar bursae, a small subcutaneous bursa sometimes present in front of the tibial tuberosity, the infrapatellar bursa, and the deep infrapatellar bursa between the proximal extremity of the tibia and the deep surface of the ligamentum patellae.
Posteriorly there are two bursase, one between each head of origin of gastrocnemius and the capsule of the joint. They often communicate with the joint.
The bursa between the medial head of gastrocnemius and the capsule sends a prolongation between the gastrocnemius and semimembranosus.
This bursa is often enlarged, forming a swelling at the inner side of the popliteal space, which is the common semi-membranosus bursa.
On the medial side there are three bursae. One separates the tendons of sartorius, gracilis and semitendinosus from the tibial collateral ligament as they cross it, the so-called “anserine” bursa.
The other two separate tendon of semimembranosus from the tibial collateral ligament medially and the head of the tibia laterally, and serve to protect the tendon which is sandwiched between the ligament medially and the condyle of the tibia of the tibia laterally.
On the lateral aspect of the knee joint there are three bursae – one between the biceps tendon and the fibular collateral ligament, one between the fibular collateral ligament and the popliteal tendon, and a third between the popliteus tendon and the lateral condyle of the femur.
This last bursa is really a tube of synovial membrane round the popliteus tendon, like that round the long head of the biceps at the shoulder joint, and therefore communicates with the joint.
Symptoms arise most frequently in relation to the prepatellar and the infrapatellar sacs, in the bursa deep to the medial head of gastrocnemius and in those deep to the tendon of semimembranosus.
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I am 24 years old girl, who went through a surgery to reduce the prominence of the tibia since i had Osgoodschlatter and there were non union ossicles. SO the doc did the surgery 7 months ago and he said that this surgery will relieve me since i have subluxation i my knees due to my laxity.
I am relieved now and my patellas are ints place better than before…
However, i have pain in the place of tibial. I did MRI and the doc said that my patella tendon is inflammed and thickened and its only needs time to be good again.
Pls advise me
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
June 18th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
@Maya,
Best person that you can discuss this is your treating surgeon as he is aware of your problem in much wider sense.
If everything else is ruled out (infection etc) and your tendon has got inflammation only, I think anti-inflammatory drugs and rest should help you.
But please discuss it with your treating doctor.
Take care.