Pes Anserine Bursitis

WE BELIEVE

Joint pain should never prevent anyone from living life to its fullest. The right information, at the right time, can change lives.

Physiobot nailed it. Two years of pain is over - thanks!

M. Hardy, Denver CO

YOUR PES ANSERINE BURSITIS GUIDE

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OVERVIEW

This care guide and related information is educational in nature. Always consult with a medical professional prior to initiating new exercises or trying a new product, drug, or supplement.

CARE STRATEGY

To begin with, your main objective should be reducing the strain on your bursa so that inflammation can decrease and healing can begin.

To achieve this, take it easy and avoid activities that worsen your pain. This doesn't mean forever, just enough time for your joint to rest. Resting for even a few days can significantly improve your recovery.

However, keep moving as research has proven that movement is crucial for joint health and recovery. The key is to listen to your body and avoid activities that aggravate your injury.

Here are some practical tips: stay mobile, start a conservative bursitis exercise program (you can find one at the bottom of this page), and avoid sitting for long periods as it can make movement more painful.

Once your pain subsides, you can gradually return to your previous activities. If your recovery isn't progressing fast enough, it may be time to consult a clinician.

JUMP TO EXERCISES

PHASE 1 | DAY 1-3

Goal: 25% Reduction in Pain

This phase is to jump start your recovery. Perform your exercise program 4 times per day. Twice in the morning, and twice in the afternoon. We want a noticeable improvement in pain levels by day 3. We know this can be difficult with busy schedules, but it's for a short time and necessary to promote a successful recovery.

DAY 3: If the pain worsens consider consulting a clinician. Otherwise, proceed to Phase 2.

PHASE 2 | DAY 4-7

Goal: 50% Reduction in Pain

This phase is about maintaining the momentum from Phase 1. Reduce your exercise frequency to 3 times per day. Keep at least one session in the morning or afternoon. The exercises should start to feel easier and automatic.

DAY 7: You should see significant relief by the end of this phase. If not, consider consulting a clinician or trying an option from the joint tools section (meds, e-stim etc.)

PHASE 3 | DAY 7-14

Goal: 75% Reduction in Pain

This phase is about consistency and slowly resuming normal activities. Perform your exercises 2 times per day. Perform one session of either walking or athletic activities (light jogging, cycling etc) at 25-50% normal intensity. No cutting activities. Let pain be your guide, if it hurts, back off!

DAY 14: You should feel markedly better and confidently on the path to recovery.

PHASE 4 | DAY 14-30+

Goal: 95% Reduction in Pain

This phase is about transitioning to a maintenance program and finalizing your recovery. Reduce your exercise frequency to 1-2 times per day. Keep building on your functional and athletic activity levels. You can begin to push your knee a little harder each day, but once again, let your body be your guide. Any doubts at all, consult a clinician. Congratulations on your self-driven recovery!

If you require additional guidance or help returning to full athletic levels, we recommend going directly to a physical therapist. Access options have exploded in recent years with therapists who come to your home or virtually.

If you have thoughts on how we can improve Physiobot, please let us know!

PAIN TOOLS

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Let's be clear - therapeutic exercise and activity modification are your best bet. But everyone asks us about these joint tools and "if they work." To be honest, it's a tricky question. Results vary significantly person-to-person, and supporting evidence varies product-to-product. So, we did a clinical evidence review for each category. We were surprised by some of the findings.

MASSAGE GUNS

Clinical Evidence: Good(+)

Percussive massage devices use rapid, repetitive strokes to target deep muscle tissue.

Massage Gun Evidence & Review

ICE VS HEAT

Clinical Evidence: Strong

Evidence suggests ice can be useful immediately after a Pes Anserine Bursitis injury flare up. Heat tends to be best for muscle soreness.

More on Icing | More on Heating

MEDICATIONS

Clinical Evidence: Strong

Our literature review indicates a combination of NSAID topical cream and oral acetaminophen is a reasonable first strategy to consider.

Knee Meds Evidence & Review

KNEE BRACES

Clinical Evidence: Fair(+)

The right knee brace can add support, reduce pain, and help you remain active.

Knee Brace Evidence & Review

E-STIM UNITS

Clinical Evidence: Fair

E-stim units are a drug-free, pain relief option. New models allow for easy home use.

E-Stim Evidence & Review

NEXT LEVEL CARE

Joint Care. On Your Terms.

Attribution: Freepik

Knee care is often severely delayed due to the barriers of time, travel, and cost. These delays can have life-long consequences on recovery. To overcome this challenge, new options have become available that bring evidence-based care to you.