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- $Unique_ID{BRK00327}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What is the "Beat Knee"?}
- $Subject{beat knee bursa nun's knee musculoskeletal joint joints Coal miner's
- housemaid's carpet layer's prepatellar bursitis unaccustomed prolonged periods
- kneeling bursal sac serous fluid infection infections cap kneecap}
- $Volume{M-17}
- $Log{
- Bursae of the Knee*0016401.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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-
- What is the "Beat Knee"?
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-
- QUESTION: You frequently provide your readers with interesting material for
- medical trivia games when you research out the meanings of strange terms, or
- the identity of a disease with a strange name. Would you like to try out your
- talents on a condition called "Beat Knee"? I would be interested in your
- findings.
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-
- ANSWER: This one is a real snap, barely a challenge for it has so many
- synonyms that it is hard to miss. It is also called Coal miner's knee,
- housemaid's knee, carpet layer's knee, and nun's knee, but its medical name is
- prepatellar bursitis. As the more descriptive names indicate, it results from
- unaccustomed work involving kneeling or prolonged periods of kneeling. The
- resulting irritation to the bursal sac causes it to produce more than the
- normal amount of serous fluid. It may also result from an infection to the
- bursal sac that covers the knee cap. In the acute stage, there is swelling
- and pain and tenderness to the area of the knee as a result of additional
- fluid formed in the bursal sac, which in the case of infection may be pus. An
- x-ray of the knee is always indicated to be sure there is no unsuspected bony
- injury. Treatment will depend upon the causes, and the type of fluid
- produced. If there is much pain the physician may elect to aspirate the
- fluid, reduce the swelling, and then bandage the knee with compressive elastic
- bandages. If infection is present, pus should be drained and antibiotics
- prescribed. Of course, protective knee pads are a must if the condition was
- caused by an occupational "beating".
-
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-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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-