Bursitis in Cows: Hock, Knee, and Pressure-Swelling Problems in Cattle

Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa, a small fluid-filled structure that helps reduce friction over joints and bony points. In cattle, bursitis often shows up as a rounded swelling over pressure areas such as the hock, carpus or knee, or less commonly the elbow. When a new fluid pocket forms under the skin from repeated pressure, it is often called a hygroma.

Some swellings are soft and cool at first. Over time, repeated rubbing and trauma can make them thicker, firmer, and more fibrous. Chronic swellings may look dramatic but cause little discomfort, while septic bursitis can be painful and may interfere with walking, lying down, or rising.

For many cattle, bursitis is closely tied to housing and comfort. Hard resting surfaces, thin bedding, poorly designed stalls, and long standing times increase pressure on the same bony areas day after day. That is why treatment usually includes both medical care and changes to the environment.

Because hock and knee swellings can also be caused by joint infection, abscesses, fractures, or skin wounds, it is important not to assume every lump is harmless. Your vet can help sort out whether the swelling is a simple pressure lesion or part of a more serious lameness problem.

The most common cause is repeated pressure or friction over a bony prominence. In dairy and beef cattle, that often means lying on hard surfaces, stalls with too little bedding, abrasive mats, poor stall dimensions, slippery flooring, or repeated contact with curbs and partitions. Hock problems are especially linked to inadequate bedding and uncomfortable resting areas.

Cows also need long periods of rest each day. When overcrowding, long lock-up times, heat stress, or poor stall design keep cattle standing longer, pressure on the limbs and hocks increases. Cornell cow-comfort guidance notes that cows generally require 12 to 14 hours of rest daily, and reduced resting time is associated with more lameness and hock problems.

Less commonly, bursitis can follow a direct blow, a kick, prolonged recumbency, or a penetrating wound. Once the skin is damaged, bacteria may enter and turn a simple pressure swelling into septic bursitis. Infection can also spread from nearby tissues or, more rarely, through the bloodstream.

Underlying lameness matters too. If a cow already has hoof pain or another limb problem, she may lie awkwardly, rise abnormally, or spend more time on one side, increasing pressure on certain joints. That is why your vet may look beyond the swelling itself and assess the whole cow, including gait, hoof health, and housing.

Diagnosis starts with a physical exam and a close look at the swelling. Your vet will note the location, size, temperature, pain level, skin condition, and whether the lump feels soft and fluid-filled or thick and fibrous. They will also watch the cow walk and rise, because true bursitis can look similar to joint disease, abscesses, fractures, or severe skin lesions.

If infection is a concern, your vet may recommend aspiration of the swelling using sterile technique to evaluate the fluid. This can help distinguish a simple hygroma from septic bursitis and may guide culture if bacteria are suspected. In some cases, bloodwork is useful, but local examination and fluid assessment are often more informative.

Radiographs or ultrasound may be recommended when the swelling is large, recurrent, painful, draining, or close to a joint. Imaging helps your vet look for bone changes, deeper soft-tissue involvement, or communication with the joint. That matters because treatment and prognosis are different if the problem extends beyond the bursa.

On farms with multiple affected cattle, diagnosis should also include a herd-level look at stall comfort, bedding depth, flooring, and time budgets. A single cow may need treatment, but repeated cases usually mean the environment is contributing and needs correction to prevent recurrence.

Prevention starts with cow comfort. Cattle need a soft, dry, well-bedded place to lie down and enough time to use it. Deep bedding helps distribute pressure more evenly over the body, while thin bedding over hard surfaces increases friction and trauma. Cornell guidance notes that cows in deeply bedded stalls, including sand or manure solids, generally have better hock scores than cows on mats or mattresses with minimal bedding.

Look closely at stall design and maintenance. Stalls that are too small, poorly positioned, or have abrasive surfaces can force awkward lying and rising movements. Curbs, brisket boards, neck rails, and partitions should allow normal movement without repeated impact on the hocks and knees. Groom stalls often and add bedding before surfaces become packed down.

Reduce the amount of time cows spend standing on concrete. Overcrowding, long wait times, excessive lock-up, and heat stress all cut into resting time. Cows generally need 12 to 14 hours of rest per day, and less rest is linked with more lameness and hock injury. Good ventilation, heat abatement, and smooth cow flow all support healthier limbs.

Finally, monitor the herd routinely for hair loss, rubbed hocks, early swelling, and lameness. Early lesions are easier to correct than chronic fibrous bursae. If you are seeing repeated hock or knee swellings, ask your vet to help review housing, flooring, bedding, and hoof-health practices so the root cause can be addressed.