Knee Problem

[jennygirl1]

I have been having a lot of knee discoloration that shows up unexpectedly.  It appears as dark bruising across my whole kneecap.  It does not cause a lot of pain, just a mild ache here and there.  It is not a result of bumping the knee.  It seems to happen if I have been kneeling, even in church.  I never know when it will occur.  Sometimes I get a strange mild cold sensation in the knee or occasionally, a quick sharp pain.  I am not having any trouble walking, and I do not have constant pain when it happens.  

[Michael L Gross, MD]

If that is what you have, no worries

[Michael L Gross, MD]

This may be related to prepatellar bursitis, or "housemaids" knee". The bursa sits in front on the patella (kneecap) and protects the patella tendon as it glides.  If you kneel on it for prolonged amonts of time it becomwes chronically thickened and inflamed. You may have a hemorrhagic form, where you are bleeding itno the bursa.

[jennygirl1]

So, should I worry about the hemorrhagic form of prepatellar bursitis, or chalk it up to getting older?  Do I need to see a doctor for this?  Thank you.