Lifestyle and home remedies

To ease pain and discomfort of knee bursitis:

• Rest your knee. Discontinue the activity that caused knee bursitis and avoid movements that worsen your pain.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Short-term use of an anti-inflammatory drug, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others), can help relieve pain.
• Apply ice. Apply an ice pack to your knee for 20 minutes at a time several times a day until the pain goes away and your knee no longer feels warm to the touch.
• Apply compression. Use of a compressive wrap or knee sleeve can help reduce swelling.
• Elevate your knee. Prop your affected leg on pillows to help reduce swelling in your knee.