A swollen knee occurs when too much fluid accumulates in or around the knee joint. This problem may be referred to by your doctor as a knee effusion. It could be caused by an injury, neglect, or a disease or condition that is already there. To figure out why you’re having pain, your doctor may need to take a sample of the fluid and look for signs of illness, disease, or damage to the blood. Alleviating a portion of the fluid may provide some relief from the discomfort and rigidity associated with the edema. Treatment can begin once the root cause is known.
Causes of Knee Swelling
Whether water on the knee is merely bothersome or terribly debilitating, a person should determine the likely source and manage the symptoms to lessen the likelihood of future issues. Chronic or long-term swelling may cause joint tissue injury, cartilage degeneration, and bone softening, so therapy is usually necessary.
1.Knee Injury
Knee injuries to meniscus tears, articular cartilage, bursae, ligaments, tendons, and bones can cause pain and swelling. Blood can fill the knee joint after serious injuries, causing edema, warmth, rigidity, and bruising. Hemarthrosis necessitates rapid medical care. Please get medical help if knee pain is severe, a leg cannot bear weight, or shattered bones are suspected.
2.Bursitis
A knee bursa filled with pus may be large, heated, and painful. The body has several small, fluid-filled bursae. Slick cushions reduce friction between bone and soft tissue like skin and muscle. The knee has 11 bursae, two of which are bursitis-prone. Bursitis is bursa inflammation. Inflamed knee bursae can fill with fluid, causing swelling or dampness. Possible tenderness or discomfort can occur. The two most common causes of knee bursitis are prepatellar and pes anserine. Though most bursitis may be treated at home with non-urgent care, septic bursitis can be lethal. Bacteria infecting a bursa cause this condition. Those suspected of having septic bursitis should seek medical attention immediately.
3.Pseudogout
Like gout, pseudogout is caused by joint crystals. In knee joints, calcium pyrophosphate crystals can cause considerable discomfort and edema. The injured joint skin may darken. Most typically in the knee, pseudogout can affect the shoulder, elbow, ankle, wrist, hip, and spine. It can mimic rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis and affect several joints. Elderly people are susceptible to pseudogout. Usually, pseudogout heals after two weeks. Medication and medical care alleviate discomfort.
4.Rheumatic Arthritis
Knee edema, stiffness, pain, and redness can result. When squeezed, the knee may feel “spongy.” It mainly affects the hands, wrists, and feet, but the knees can too. It affects joints symmetrically; therefore, it may affect both knees. Early rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and treatment prevent joint damage.
5.Baker’s Cyst
Back-of-the-knee swelling could potentially be indicative of Baker’s cyst. While the cyst may present with no additional symptoms, it can also cause discomfort and stiffness. Certain tasks, such as extending or flexing the knee or prolonged periods of standing, may exacerbate the discomfort. A Baker’s cyst develops when the popliteal bursa, which is situated posterior to the knee, becomes obstructed by excess fluid. Baker’s cyst is called a popliteal cyst. This condition may resolve with home therapies, but some patients may wish to see a doctor to drain the fluid.
6.Rheumatoid Arthritis in Children
A limp or clumsiness due to aching, swollen joints may indicate juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The aching discomfort may be more obvious in the morning, when the joints are tight. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis strikes major joints like the knee and may affect multiple joints. It can cause fever and redness. Children with symptoms for a week or more should see a doctor.
7.Osgood–Schlatter Disease
Most frequent in active adolescents and teens, Osgood-Schlatter disease inflames the patellar tendon. This disorder can lead to a swollen knee. Additionally, there may be tenderness to the contact of the skin over the prominent shin bone located at the base of the knee. Children may feel tightness in the front or rear of their thighs. X-rays may be used for a diagnosis. This ailment is commonly treatable at home and resolves as the child develops.
8.Septic Arthritis
The sensitive knee joint lining can be infected by bacteria or other germs, causing pus to flood the joint. A fever, acute knee pain, and edema may indicate septic arthritis. Symptoms may appear within hours or days. The infection can kill if it spreads to the bloodstream. Patients with septic arthritis symptoms should seek medical attention quickly.
Home Remedies
To lessen knee swelling at home, try these to treat swollen knee pain, try elevating the affected leg, massaging the leg and knee, applying an ice pack for 15-20 minutes daily, strengthening supporting muscles, using a band or compression sleeve, and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. If the pain is persistent, then try to consult a pain management in Dallas; they can figure out the causes and will recommend the best options available.
Conclusion
Swollen knees usually arise from injury or chronic illness. Some things to consider to manage your health and prevent injury are: first, strengthen your knee muscles. Joint pressure can be reduced by strong surrounding muscles. Water aerobics and swimming don’t stress your knees heavily. Different exercises suggested by pain physicians in Dallas include physical therapy training, weight training, and low-impact activities.
