Tricyclic antidepressants that suppress REM sleep were previously used for excessive snoring, but this therapy has generally been discontinued because of side effects. Acute infection of the prepatellar bursa is usually associated with sustained pressure or repeated trauma to the knee. Persons with occupations that place them at increased risk for this disorder include carpet layers, gardeners, bricklayers and plumbers. The bursa is tender and may have significant swelling and signs of infection. The location of the swelling and the lack of pain on joint movement help differentiate prepatellar bursitis from septic arthritis of the knee.
Turbid fluid containing leukocytes and organisms is obtained on aspiration.
The usual infecting organism is Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Drainage provides some symptom relief, but appropriate antibiotic therapy is required in dosages sufficient to penetrate the bursa. Antibiotic therapy is usually necessary for up to three weeks to control infection. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference.