When the knee is swollen, it is advisable to rest the affected leg and apply a cold compress for the first 48 hours to reduce swelling. However, if pain and swelling persist for more than 2 days, it is recommended to consult an orthopedic surgeon to diagnose the problem and begin appropriate treatment.
In case of knee swelling, what can be done to treat the problem at home includes:
- However.
- If pain and swelling persist for more than 7 days.
- It is advisable to consult an orthopedic surgeon.
- As physiotherapy may be necessary to remove excess fluid from the knee with a needle.
- Or.
- In more severe cases.
- To undergo surgery.
- Knee.
- See other precautions at: How to treat a knee injury.
Watch the video below to use a hot or cold compress
The swollen knee is a symptom that can affect people of all ages, especially in the event of accidents, falls or during physical activity, such as football, basketball or running. For example, it is important to tell your doctor or physical therapist how your knee pain started, if there has been a drop in the knee position, or if there is another associated condition.
Normally, when the knee is swollen, there is an increase in synovial fluid, which is a fluid that serves to maintain the lubrication of this joint. Its normal concentration is about 3 ml, but in some cases it can reach 100 ml causing pain, swelling and discomfort in the knee. Situations that can cause knee swelling include:
After a direct or indirect fall or trauma to the knee, the knee may swell and hurt, often indicating acute concussion, sprain, or traumatic synovitis, which can occur if the synovial membrane, which lines the inside of the joints, is inflamed. This occurs when the person has fallen to his knees and swelled overnight, most likely an acute traumatic synovitis, which may contain a buildup of blood inside the knee joint, making the knee painful and violet.
Osteoarthritis can leave the knee seemingly swollen, due to deformities caused by the disease, making the knee larger, wider and less bounced than normal. This change is very common in the elderly, but it can affect younger people around age 40.
Knee arthritis can be caused by falls, overweight, natural joint wear and tear, or a change in the immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis, which causes the knee to swell and hurt. But there is still the possibility of reactive arthritis, which causes swelling and pain in the knee due to other diseases such as genital gonorrhea, an intestinal infection with salmonella or parasites.
When the knee swells and redness, an inflammatory or infectious process can occur in this joint.
Baker’s cyst is a small lump that forms behind the knee, which may leave it slightly swollen, as pain and stiffness in the area are common, which worsen with the extension movement of the knee and during physical activity.
The anterior cruciate ligament rupture occurs abruptly, for example, during a football match. It is possible to hear a loud creak at the time of rupture, which helps with an accurate diagnosis. The feeling that your knee is swollen or cracked is also common.
The knee is not always very swollen in case of a meniscus injury, but a small swelling in the side of the knee may suggest this injury. Other common symptoms include knee pain when walking, climbing, and down stairs.
A sudden fall or an accident can cause the patella to loosen or fracture the patella. In this case, in addition to pain and swelling, we can see that the patella moves to one side.
Knee swelling during pregnancy is normal and is caused by natural swelling of the legs, the effect of the hormones progesterone and estrogen, which cause an expansion of the veins. Increased belly and weight of the pregnant woman can also cause swelling of the legs due to fluid buildup and inflammation of the knee tissues.
What to do: Rest with your legs raised, wear a low and comfortable shoe, as a soft shoe is recommended. In addition, it may be helpful to throw jets of cold water over your knees with your legs raised, for example, by a pool. It is not recommended to take medications or apply ointments without the knowledge of the obstetrician.