Knee and back pain are kinda like a really good steak: everyone has experienced it, or at least knows someone who has. The types with flashy names like "runner's knee" (patellofemoral pain) or "lumbago" (lower back pain) get all sorts of attention, but what about poor old "hurt goose's foot"?! An awkward way of describing for anserine bursitis, it doesn't really tell you what's going with your knee, does it? Not to worry, that's what we're here for.
Because it often pops up right alongside other knee problems (MCL tear anyone?), this injury is often overlooked. The "goose's foot" refers to the pes anserinus, the conjoined leg tendons that connect to your tibia, just below your knee cap, on the inner side of your lower leg. They're most there to flex the knee, but also stabilize it side-to-side.
Guess it's not surprising then that pes anserine injuries are found most commonly in young individuals playing sports with lots of side-to-side movement. Risk is also increased in people with tight hamstrings, who overpronate when running, or who are obese. Pain normally creeps in when going from sitting to standing or climbing up stairs, but walking along a flat surface feels just fine. Especially when the injury is due to some feat of athletics, the pain can occur when stretching the hamstrings or reproduced with some stretches by your physiotherapist.
Not a young buck but still struggling with knee pain you think might fit that description? Pes anserine bursitis also occurs in older patients with articular cartilage damage. It often coincides with osteoarthritis of the knee, increasing the severity of pain and functional limitations.
So, hurty knees, what are you going to do? No matter the knee pain, it's important to have it diagnosed, since there are SO many different things that could be going on. If it is pes anserine bursitis the first thing you'll likely be prescribed is rest. Anti-inflammatory medications will help with swelling and pain, but won't fix the problem. Physiotherapy is what you'll need to correct the biomechanics that lead to your injury, and ultrasound or electrical stimulation will also help reduce inflammation. Take action now and count your lucky stars: the need for surgical intervention is rare for this injury!
Because it often pops up right alongside other knee problems (MCL tear anyone?), this injury is often overlooked. The "goose's foot" refers to the pes anserinus, the conjoined leg tendons that connect to your tibia, just below your knee cap, on the inner side of your lower leg. They're most there to flex the knee, but also stabilize it side-to-side.
Guess it's not surprising then that pes anserine injuries are found most commonly in young individuals playing sports with lots of side-to-side movement. Risk is also increased in people with tight hamstrings, who overpronate when running, or who are obese. Pain normally creeps in when going from sitting to standing or climbing up stairs, but walking along a flat surface feels just fine. Especially when the injury is due to some feat of athletics, the pain can occur when stretching the hamstrings or reproduced with some stretches by your physiotherapist.
Not a young buck but still struggling with knee pain you think might fit that description? Pes anserine bursitis also occurs in older patients with articular cartilage damage. It often coincides with osteoarthritis of the knee, increasing the severity of pain and functional limitations.
So, hurty knees, what are you going to do? No matter the knee pain, it's important to have it diagnosed, since there are SO many different things that could be going on. If it is pes anserine bursitis the first thing you'll likely be prescribed is rest. Anti-inflammatory medications will help with swelling and pain, but won't fix the problem. Physiotherapy is what you'll need to correct the biomechanics that lead to your injury, and ultrasound or electrical stimulation will also help reduce inflammation. Take action now and count your lucky stars: the need for surgical intervention is rare for this injury!
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