5. Aspiration
If your bursitis does not seem to be getting better in a matter of weeks, your doctor may suggest aspiration. This process involves draining the fluid from the prepatellar bursa. When the bursa, or the sac of fluid, becomes inflamed, draining some of the fluid can help relieve the swelling and discomfort. Although the procedure sounds invasive, it can be performed at the doctor’s office or an outpatient setting and does not require a hospital stay.
A needle or syringe is used to drain the fluid after a local anesthetic has been applied to the knee. In addition, aspiration can be used as a way to diagnose other problems that may be connected to the bursitis, such as gout. Once the fluid has been removed, much of the pressure will be removed from the joint and the pain may subside. You may get a bruise from aspiration, but there are few risks.