Understanding Pes Anserinus Bursitis: What It Is and How to Treat It????

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’ve been feeling pain on the inside of your knee—especially when climbing stairs or getting up from a chair—you might be dealing with something called pes anserinus bursitis. It’s a common condition, and the good news is that it’s very treatable with the right care.

What Is Pes Anserinus?

The pes anserinus (Latin for “goose’s foot”) is where three muscles from your thigh (sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus) come together and attach to the inside of your shinbone, just below the knee. Underneath this area is a small fluid-filled sac called a bursa, which helps reduce friction between the muscles and bone.

When this bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, it causes pain and swelling. This is called pes anserinus bursitis.

What Causes It?

Pes anserinus bursitis can happen for a few reasons:

• Doing repetitive movements like running or cycling
• Having tight muscles in your thighs or hips
• Having arthritis or poor posture
• Getting hit or bumped on the inside of your knee

Common Symptoms

You might notice:

• Pain on the inner side of your knee, a few centimeters below the joint
• Tenderness when you press on the area
• Swelling or warmth
• Pain when going up stairs or standing from a seated position
• No clicking or locking in the knee (which helps rule out other knee problems)
• Pulling or tightness on the inside or back of the thigh 

 

How Physiotherapy Can Help

Physiotherapy is a great way to treat pes anserinus bursitis. Here’s what it usually involves:

✅ Step 1: Reduce Pain and Swelling

• Rest and avoid activities that make it worse
• Use ice packs to calm inflammation
• Gentle massage or hands-on therapy
• Medication (like anti-inflammatories) if recommended by your doctor

✅ Step 2: Stretch Tight Muscles to improve flexibility in your hips and legs

✅ Step 3: Strengthen Key Muscles and practice safe exercise to support your knees

✅ Step 4: Improve Movement and Posture

• Learn better ways to walk, climb stairs, and move during daily tasks
• Correct poor alignment or posture that may be causing strain

✅ Step 5: Use Helpful Tools

• Taping or bracing to support the knee
• Orthotics (shoe inserts) if your foot posture is contributing

 

Pes anserinus bursitis can be frustrating, but with the right treatment plan, most people recover well. If you’re experiencing knee pain that fits this description, our dedicated team of physiotherapists can help you get back to moving comfortably and confidently.