Pes anserine bursitis

Pes anserine bursitis is an inflammatory condition of the medial (inner) knee at the bursa of the pes anserinus.

Pathology

The pes anserinus is the anatomic term used to identify the insertion of the conjoined tendons Sartorius, Gracilis, and Semitendinosus into the anteromedial proximal tibia. Theoretically, bursitis results from stress to this area (eg, stress may result when an obese individual with anatomic deformity from arthritis ascends or descends stairs). An occurrence of pes anserine bursitis commonly is characterized by pain, especially when climbing stairs, tenderness, and local swelling.^[1]

Muscles involved

• Sartorius aids in knee and hip flexion, as in sitting or climbing; abducts and laterally rotates thigh; innervated by the femoral nerve.^[2]
• Gracilis flexes and medially rotates tibia at knee; innervated by the obturator nerve.^[2]
• Semitendinosus flexes knee; medially rotates tibia on femur when knee is flexed; medially rotates femur when hip is extended; counteracts forward bending at hips; innervated by tibial nerve and common fibular nerve.^[2]

References