Knee swelling

A Knee swelling Not only can it be a nuisance at work or in everyday life, it can also prove to be very painful. When the knee is swollen, fluid builds up in the bursa that normally does not exist. Why this occurs there, how the swelling can be treated and properly prevented is explained in the next few paragraphs.

What is knee swelling?

A basic distinction is made between two types of knee swelling. A bloody effusion, also called hemarthrosis, and the purulent effusion, also called pyarthrosis.

A knee swelling is always a joint effusion. The knee is a structure made up of different bones, tendons, cartilage and joint plates that all interact with one another. A basic distinction is made between two types of knee swelling. A bloody effusion, also called hemarthrosis, and the purulent effusion, also called pyarthrosis.

A bloody joint effusion results from a dull injury such as an impact on something hard or a fall on the joint. A hemophilia can also cause swelling. In most cases, the purulent effusion is accompanied by an infection.

causes

If extended, wear and tear can lead to knee swelling. A major factor is joint wear and tear under osteoarthritis. Years of overexertion wear away the layers of cartilage in the knee joint, so that the upper and lower leg bones rub against each other after a long time.

The body cannot withstand this heavy load. It reacts with a defense reaction by increasing the amount of fibrinous secretion in the joint. This secretion actually promotes healing but forms the basis of the swelling in a joint. In old age, obesity and lack of exercise can also play a role. In people who are young and very active in sport, knee swelling can occur due to internal joint damage such as a meniscus or ligament tear.

Autoimmune disease can also be responsible for the swelling. The so-called rheumatoid arthritis attacks the synovial fluid and makes it stronger. Due to the no longer available fluid, the same effect occurs as with osteoarthritis. The bones rub against each other and the knee joint is destroyed by the strong pressure exerted by the bones.

A tick bite can also cause knee swelling. When exercising in the forest or on open-air courses, you can easily get bitten by a tick. The disease borreliosis caused by the bite is very dangerous. The borellia in the tick's saliva are transferred to the joint when it bites and infect it. As a defense reaction, the knee joint shows swelling, reddening and overheating.Overheating is the first sign of infectious knee swelling.

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Diseases with this symptom

• arthrosis
• Obesity
• Meniscal tear

• Patellar luxation
• Anterior cruciate ligament tear
• Bursitis

• Torn ligament
• Posterior cruciate ligament tear
• Baker's cyst

Diagnosis & course

Since knee swelling is usually a side effect of other diseases, a joint puncture is initiated during the diagnostic procedure.

The synovial fluid is sucked off through a hollow needle and examined for a wide variety of bacteria. Borreliosis, for example, is excluded. If there is no history of illness and the diet is healthy, magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI for short, and an X-ray will be performed.

With an MRI, the individual tissue layers are recorded and x-rayed. The results of these examinations can show signs of wear and possible injuries.

Complications

Knee swelling is usually the result of various inflammatory diseases, which lead to various complications. A torn ligament or an injury to the meniscus are more common causes of knee swelling. A torn meniscus or ligament can be treated surgically and heals after a few weeks without complications.

In some rare cases, an infection of the knee joint can occur during surgery. With great stress such as sport or some work, the risk of suffering another ligament or meniscus injury increases. Another cause is rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory autoimmune disease. This disease is incurable and, if left untreated, can lead to cartilage and bone destruction.

This also results in deformities of the knee so that it can no longer be moved without the affected person suffering pain. In addition, the risk of developing osteoporosis is increased. Pseudogout (chondrocalcinosis) can also lead to knee swelling. In acute cases, the disease can be cured well with medication and does not cause any further complications.

In some cases, however, the disease can become chronic and lead to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis causes severe pain when the knee is stressed and leads to progressive wear of the articular cartilage, so that bones can lie on top of one another. The surface of the bone can collapse and debris can get into the bone.

When should you go to the doctor?

A swelling in the knee can have different causes, so that a visit to the doctor can be very advisable. In some cases, a visit to the doctor is inevitable so that serious complications can be avoided at an early stage. Usually swelling in the knee is due to edema. This is a build-up of fluid that can cause further complications. Edema usually goes away on its own within a few hours.

In some cases, however, the water retention persists and causes pain. In order to recognize permanent consequential damage at an early stage and to have it treated accordingly, a visit to the doctor must not be postponed too long. In some cases, a fracture can also be responsible for swelling in the knee. If there is really a fracture, it must be treated by a doctor. Otherwise, the bones will grow together incorrectly or not at all.

So the following applies: A permanent swelling on the knee must definitely be treated by the family doctor. A doctor will find the cause and then initiate appropriate treatment. This is the only way to ensure a complete and rapid recovery.

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Treatment & Therapy

Treating knee swelling can be tedious. The internal pressure of the joint is already taken during the diagnostic procedure through the joint puncture. This is done by sucking off the accumulated fluid in the joint.

The pressure caused by the liquid is relieved and the musculoskeletal system can be used again. However, joint punctures that are often used can increase the risk of infection. It is also advisable to raise the joint and cool it regularly. In the case of knee swelling with a causal disease, the existing disease should be treated completely, then the symptom of knee swelling is also reduced.

In the case of severe pain, drug treatment can be beneficial to calm the pain and make everyday life easier. In the case of painkillers, it is important to ensure that the active ingredient is a complex agent that also has an anti-inflammatory effect.

In addition to rest and drug therapy, physiological therapy can also be beneficial. The pain can also be treated with physiotherapy, gentle massages or electrical treatments. If all attempts do not work or if there is a causal disease that cannot be completely treated, surgical treatment is carried out. With a knee joint prosthesis, the natural knee joint is replaced by an artificial one. Surgical treatment is used for diseases such as arthritis or an irreparable meniscus or ligament tear.

Outlook & forecast

It is very difficult to give an exact outlook and prognosis in relation to knee swelling, as the cause of the swelling must first be clarified. In most cases, knee swelling is the result of external violence or an injury. Overstretching the muscles and ligaments within the knee can quickly lead to swelling.

Unless a muscle or ligament is torn, cooling the affected area can be very effective. Even without medical care, the pain should subside within a few days and the range of motion should be fully restored.

It looks different, however, if individual ligaments or muscles are torn or completely torn. Treatment and subsequent therapy by a specialist is essential here. Surgery may even be required to ensure full recovery. The affected person will have to reckon with severe restrictions for several months. An exact prognosis is not possible at this point, as each clinical picture must be considered individually.

Inflammation in the knee may also be responsible for swelling. If this clinical picture remains completely without care, an abscess can possibly form. With proper care, such inflammation can be relieved and treated within a few days.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for joint pain

prevention

In order to prevent knee swelling, the underlying diseases must be prevented. In most cases, a high-fiber, healthy diet has a positive effect on knee swelling caused by being overweight.

Exercise is also a positive aspect. Nordic walking and other gentle gait sports help to protect the knee joint and the layers of cartilage from wear. Regular exercise builds muscle strength and renews the synovial fluid.

However, it should be ensured that there is a good balance between movement and rest. Too much sport or competitive sport can cause damage through constant stress and increase the risk of injury. A safe sport should be practiced, in which there is as little fall, impact or other injuries as possible.

If knee swelling has occurred one or more times, it is worth taking a long-term physiotherapeutic measure in addition to taking a balancing walk.

You can do that yourself

A swollen knee should definitely be relieved. A knee can only regenerate and take appropriate therapeutic measures when it is relaxed. If it is an accident swelling, cool compresses are useful. The cold causes the swollen tissue to sag and also relieves fever and pain. Cold treatment should last at least 20 minutes and should be repeated about three to four times a day. Splints and bandages provide relief for the swollen knee caused by the accident. They also prevent further irritation of the knee tissue from excessive movement.

Knee swelling can also be treated with herbs. The medicinal plant arnica can be used as part of a relaxation bath, as an ingredient for a cold compress or in the form of an ointment.

Is the swelling due to a knee or bone disease, e.g. for rheumatism, arthrosis or osteoporosis, self-help options are not recommended. Here a doctor determines suitable therapeutic measures. In this case, knee swelling usually only improves once the cause of the underlying disease has been successfully treated.

If the knee swelling is accompanied by an injury, the wound should be disinfected immediately to prevent pus swelling. If in doubt, the injured tissue should be examined by a doctor. Self-help measures are not recommended in this case.