The pes anserinus (anserine) bursa lies between the three conjoined pes anserinus tendons (sartorius, gracilis and semitendinosus) and the underlying tibial collateral ligament on the medial tibia, a few centimetres below the joint line. Pes anserinus bursitis produces medial knee pain distal to the joint line that is particularly prevalent in overweight older adults and those with knee osteoarthritis. Its location below the joint line helps to distinguish it from medial meniscal and collateral ligament pathology.
| Location | Between the pes anserinus tendons (sartorius, gracilis, semitendinosus) and the medial collateral ligament on the medial tibia |
|---|---|
| Nearby |
|
Reduces friction between the pes anserinus tendons and the underlying medial collateral ligament during knee movement
Pes anserinus bursitis is closely associated with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis, obesity and diabetes, and the conditions commonly co-exist; it is often misattributed to the arthritis itself. Tenderness lies roughly 2-5 cm below the medial joint line, and pain is worsened by climbing stairs and rising from a chair, without pain on valgus stress testing. Ultrasound shows fluid between the tendons and the tibia. Local corticosteroid injection into the bursa (not the joint) produces reliable short-term relief, but weight loss, quadriceps strengthening and addressing malalignment are required for durable benefit. The region is also disturbed during gracilis and semitendinosus graft harvest for ACL reconstruction, which can cause persistent medial pain.
Medial tibial pain distal to the knee joint line from bursal inflammation, associated with knee osteoarthritis, obesity and diabetes, managed with corticosteroid injection and addressing biomechanical contributors.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
