Knee swelling and pain can result from injuries and arthritis. Some of these causes can be treated at home, while others require medical attention. Swelling indicates inflammation. As fluid builds up around a damaged area, it makes it larger and puffier.
Symptoms of Knee Swelling and Pain
Many types of inflammation exist. Joints like the knee may have:
- Effusion Joint swelling
- Edema that is a swelling in surrounding tissues
- Hemarthrosis is a joint swelling and blood buildup
- Acute or chronic inflammation causes swelling. Following injury, acute edema may resolve within twenty-four hours. Persistent edema may signify an underlying medical issue and endure for an extended duration.
Acute inflammation has following symptoms:
- Painful or limited function loss
- Heat, redness and swelling
Knee Pain Causes
Physical activity is best for your joints and body. Injury can occur, often to the knees. Knee pain may start suddenly or worsen over time. It can be caused by injury, overuse, aging, arthritis, or other conditions.
- Sprained ligaments, meniscus tears, tendinitis, and runners knee are common. An untreated knee injury may flare up occasionally or hurt all the time.
- Overuse hurts: Running, jumping, and other knee-pressure exercises can cause these over time. Sometimes called “runner’s knee.”
- Patellar tendinitis: This indicates inflammation in the kneecap-shinbone tendon. Strong tendons connect muscles to bones. The predominant cause is repetitive leaping, particularly in basketball.
- Ilio-tibial band syndrome: The resilient iliotibial (IT) band extends from the hip to the lateral aspect of the knee.
- Overactivity can cause inflammation. That causes outer knee pain. This is common among runners, especially downhill.
- Past injuries: Previous injuries that didn’t heal well can cause pain later in life.
- Being fat: Being bigger puts pressure on the knees. Swelling and pain may result.
- Baker’s cyst: A fluid-filled lump forms behind the knee. Knee injuries and arthritis can cause it. The cyst may ache and swell.
Arthritis and Knee Pain Causes
Joint swelling and tenderness is arthritis. It often causes knee pain and stiffness. Following are the different types that exist:
- Osteoarthritis: This “wear and tear” arthritis destroys knee cartilage. It causes most knee pain after 50. This condition induces knee swelling and pain during physical activity. Osteoarthritis may induce morning stiffness.
- Gout: This inflammatory arthritis results from an accumulation of uric acid in the blood. It causes sudden, intense joint pain, swelling, redness, tenderness, and heat.
- Lupus: This chronic immune system condition can cause knee pain and inflammation. This is also inflammatory arthritis, which causes joint pain due to an overactive immune system.
- RA: It is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks healthy joint tissue like your knees. Affected cells can wear down knee cartilage, causing swelling, stiffness, and pain.
Knee Care at Home
To manage mild knee pain, rest and avoid activities that cause it. Do not weight your knee.
- Apply ice: Try it every hour for 15 minutes. Apply at least four times daily after the first day. Cover your knee with a towel before icing. Avoid sleep while using ice. Keep your knee elevated to reduce swelling.
- Elastic bandages and sleeves are available at most pharmacies. This may support and reduce swelling.
- Take Motrin or Aleve for pain and swelling. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) relieves pain but not swelling. If you have medical issues or have taken these drugs for more than a day or two, consult pain management in Dallas.
- Place a pillow beneath or between your knees.
- General knee pain relief and prevention tips:
- Engage in warm-up and cool-down routines prior to and following exercise. Stretch your quadriceps and hamstrings.
- Walk down hills instead of running.
- Swim or bike instead of running.
- Cut back on exercise.
- Reduce weight if overweight and run on a smooth, soft surface like a track instead of cement or pavement. When climbing stairs, every pound (0.5 kilogram) of overweight puts 5 pounds (2.25 kilograms) of pressure on your kneecap. Jumping adds more pressure. Ask your doctor about weight loss.
- Try orthotics and shoe inserts for flat feet.
- Make sure your running shoes fit, cushion, and are well-made.
When Is It Necessary to Consult a Physician Regarding a Swollen Knee?
Trauma or injury requires medical attention. If non-traumatic swelling doesn’t improve after a few days of home treatments, see a knee pain doctor in Dallas.
Visit the ER if you experience any of these:
- Severe pain.
- No knee movement or use.
- Major trauma like a ladder fall or car accident.
Conclusion
When accompanied by pain or stiffness, a swollen knee is annoying. But don’t ignore symptoms. If knee swelling and pain persists after a few days without trauma or injury, see a doctor. They will explain the edema, its treatment, and its prevention.
