Reason for Knee Pain and Swelling & Knee Pain Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

There is no denying the fact that you must have experienced excessive knee pain and swelling at least once in your lifetime. However, have you given knee pain treatment a thought? If no, here’s why you should definitely consider it. This article aims to explain the cause, symptoms and treatments available for knee pain.

Knee pain is usually caused due to sudden injury, an underlying condition or an overuse injury. With today’s increasingly active lifestyle, knee pain is one of the common problems found in old and young alike. Apart from this, a swollen knee might also be a situation that needs immediate medical attention. A swollen knee occurs when surplus fluid accumulates in and around the knee joint. This condition is also referred to as ‘water on the knee’.

The Common Symptoms Observed in Knee Pain and Swelling

1. Difficulty bearing weight or walking
2. Limping due to discomfort
3. Difficulty climbing or walking down the stairs
4. Unable to bend the knee
5. Redness and swelling
6. Shifting weight to the opposite knee or foot
7. Popping or crunching noises
8. Stiffness or weakness

Major Causes of Knee Pain and Swelling

1. Bursitis – It is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs known as bursae. These provide cushioning to your bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. When the bursae become inflamed, this state is called bursitis.
2. Knee Arthritis – Arthritis is basically an inflammation of the joints which can affect one or multiple joints. There are probably more than 100 types of arthritis each with different causes and treatments. Two of the most common are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
3. Acute injuries – An acute injury is severe and with sudden onset. A swollen knee, sprained ankle, strained back are acute injuries. They are sudden and happen due to traumatic events like falling from the bike, clashing into another player during sports, etc.
4. Infections – Often, bacteria and other types of microorganisms infect the tissues in and around the knee joint.

Following treatments for Knee Pain are available

Home remedies you can perform easily

1. Strengthening exercises
2. Weight management through proper diet
3. Posture and support
4. Ice and elevation

Home remedies might take quite a lot of time and extreme patience for curing the knee. However, you can always opt for doctor consultation and treatment.

Treatment varies depending on the severity of the swollen knee and your medical history.

Medical Treatment for Knee Pain and Knee Swelling

 Your doctor might prescribe oral pain medication if over-the-counter pain relievers do not work. He might also suggest an oral corticosteroid like prednisone to ease the inflammation.

Surgical and Other Procedures

1. Arthrocentesis –

   Removing fluid from the knee can relieve pressure on the joint.

2. Arthroscopy –

   A lighted tube is inserted through a small incision inside your knee joint. Tools attached to the arthroscope remove loose tissue and damage.

3. Joint replacement –

   If bearing weight on the knee becomes unbearable, you might need a knee replacement.

Best Doctor for Knee Replacement in Mumbai

Look no further as Dr Vidyanand Raut is one of the best doctors for knee replacement. His 20-year expertise in the field of joint replacement surgery has led him to perform advanced knee and hip replacement surgery in some of Mumbai’s prominent hospitals like Wockhardt Hospitals, Fortis, and Seven Hills Hospital etc.