Chronic Knee Bursitis: conservative treatment options

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hello, I've had bursitis for about eight months now on my knee. I have been to see my GP, but other than anti inflammatory meds I have not been given anything. Recently my knee has been very painful so I began to do my research online. I have read about having the fluid in my knee drained, and having the bursa injected with hydrocortisone, to prevent reaccumulation of the inflammation. Because it's been eight months, would this be suitable for me? I feel that delaying having this procedure done may cause the inflammation to become chronic and then I would no long be able to have this procedure done, therefore so the sooner I do it the better. Lately the pain is becoming more frequent, and has begun to also affect my back. Should I recommend this procedure to my GP?

Dear Kara: First of all I will give you the definition of Bursitis which a  is inflammation of a bursa caused by repetitive use, trauma, infection, or systemic inflammatory disease. Bursae are flattened sacs that serve as a protective buffer between bones and overlapping muscles (deep bursae) or between bones and tendons/skin (superficial bursae). These synovial-lined sacs are filled with minimal amounts of fluid to facilitate movement during muscle contraction. Deep bursae, such as the subacromial (shoulder) and iliopsoas (hip) bursae, are located in the fascia. Superficial bursae, such as the olecranon(elbow) and prepatellar bursae(knee), are located in the subcutaneous tissue. Symptoms of bursitis may include localized tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or reduced /limited movement. Most patients with bursitis are treated conservatively to reduce inflammation. Conservative treatment includes rest, cold and heat treatments, elevation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), bursal aspiration, and intrabursal steroid injections (with or without local anesthetic agents).What you mentioned it is indeed a treatment option that may be explore with your GP.