What To Do With Knee Pain And Swelling

Can Knee Injuries Be Prevented

To help prevent knee injuries:

• Make sure your kids wear the recommended protective equipment for sports .
• Make sure your kids wear supportive athletic shoes that are in good condition.
• During workouts, kids should always warm up and cool down.
• Encourage kids to do regular strength training to support muscles, and stretching or yoga to improve flexibility.
• When jumping, kids should bend the knees while landing. This takes pressure off the ACL and prevents injury.
• If kids cut laterally or pivot frequently , encourage them to crouch and bend at the knees and hips to reduce the chances of an ACL injury.
• For kids who play just one sport, conditioning and training year-round even if it’s at a lower intensity than during the competitive season can help them stay in shape and make an injury less likely.

When To See Your Doctor

Any incidence of severe knee pain should be checked out by your doctor particularly if:

1) Your knee looks deformed2) You cant put any weight through the leg3) Your knee movements are limited cant fully bend or straighten the knee4) You have severe knee pain, especially at night or when resting5) Your knee keeps giving way6) You feel unwell or have a fever7) There is redness or the knee feels hot8) There is major swelling around the knee9) Your symptoms persist or get worse10) You have pain, swelling, redness, tingling or numbness in the calf

When Should You Call The Doctor For A Knee Injury

Emergent medical care should be sought if, due to injury,

• there is almost immediate swelling in the knee,
• if the bones appear deformed,
• if there is inability to bear weight,
• if the pain is intolerable,
• if there is loss of sensation below the injury site,
• if the foot and ankle turn cold and no pulses can be felt.

Medical care should be considered if a knee injury does not resolve with routine home care, including rest, ice, compression, and elevation . Other symptoms that may suggest the need for medical care include recurrent pain and swelling.

A swollen joint is never normal, and if it is red and warm or if there is an associated fever, more urgent medical attention should be accessed because of the worry of infection being present. This is particularly a warning sign in infants and children, people who have had knee joint replacements, intravenous drug abusers, and those who have compromised immune systems.

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Is Swollen Knee Can Be Relieved At Home

Yes, you can cure swelling knee pain by yourself.

The first things you can do is rest, ice, compression, and elevation. And we are sure this is self-knowledge.

1. Rest your knee

Protect parts of your swollen injury. Stop offending activities that may cause pain or swollen knee getting worse.

2. Ice

You can use a small pack of ice to the swollen knee section. A cold towel is an alternative.To minimize the risk of swelling, ice is advisable to apply an ice pack for about 10-20 minutes at least three times a day.

If you just suffered from a knee injury, you are advised to avoid the hot bath during the first 48 hours. Similarly, do not compress a swollen knee with a hot water pack.

3. Compression

Compression means wrapping a swollen knee pain with an elastic bandage. An elastic medical bandage is an excellent choice to reduce swelling.

However, do not bandage the injured knee too tight. Because it can make the swelling gets worse.

See if the knee suddenly feels numbing, tingling, pain, and swelling appeared underneath the bandaged area. It means the bandage is too tight.

Loosen it a little to keep the blood still flowing smoothly down to your legs.

4. Elevate

While lying down, try to put your swollen knee at a higher position by placing the pads or pillow as a buffer below the knee.

Elevating your knee will reduce pain or internal bleeding on the knee.

Risk Factors For A Swollen Knee

• Being overweight or obese your knees are weight-bearing so any excess weight puts more strain on them, which can damage your knee joint over time obesity also increases the risk of osteoarthritis, which is a common cause of a swollen knees
• Playing certain sports if you take part in sports that involve pivoting, rotating or twisting your knees, youre at greater risk of knee injuries, which cause swelling
• Your age your risk increases as you get older

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How Do You Stop Knee Pain At A Young Age

Very often, knee pain in younger patients can be treated with conservative options, like:

• Resting the knee
• Physical therapy and stretching exercises to rebalance the knee

Depending on your symptoms and your activity level, you might also benefit from:

• Making sure you wear footwear thats designed for your specific sport or activity
• Making sure you warm up thoroughly before any activity
• Sticking to a regular leg exercise routine to keep your knee muscles strong and flexible
• Avoiding activities that cause pain in your knees
• Paying attention to early signs of pain to avoid overdoing it

Although knee pain in adolescents and young adults typically can be treated conservatively, you still need a medical evaluation. Delaying medical treatment can increase your risk of developing arthritis and other serious problems in the future. Dr. Van Thiel is skilled in diagnosing and treating knee problems in patients of all ages, including kids, teens, and patients in their 20s. If youre having knee pain, get the care you need to feel better and to prevent permanent joint damage. Contact the office and schedule a knee evaluation today.

Dr. Van Thiel treats patients from all over Wisconsin and Illinois including Rockford, Elgin, Huntley, Dekalb, Crystal Lake, Barrington, McHenry, Beloit and Algonquin.

When Going To The Doctor

It is important to consult with the orthopedist or a physiotherapist when:

• The pain lasts longer than 3 days, even after rest and application of icy compresses
• The pain is very intense when doing daily activities such as passing foot clothes, taking the child in the lap, walking or climbing stairs
• The knee does not fold or makes noise when moving around
• The knee finds itself deformed
• Surgery other symptoms like fever or tingling

In these cases, the orthopaedist can ask for an x-ray examination or a magnetic resonance to make the diagnosis of the problem and recommend the proper treatment.

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Why Would A Teenager Have Knee Pain

Knee pain isnt a condition that only happens to older people. Despite being young, your teenager can develop knee pain too.

Knee pain in teens is a common result of overuse, but also results from specific knee injuries and medical conditions that affect the knee. Knee pain can also be temporary and not related to an injury, but rather a change in your teens level of activity or sport.

Because of the many different reasons for knee pain, if your teen complains of pain, its wise to get it checked. Never think that knee pain in your teen is simply growing pains. This is not a typical cause of knee pain in a teenager.

Brief Anatomy Of The Knee

The knee is a vulnerable joint that bears a great deal of stress from everyday activities, such as lifting and kneeling, and from high-impact activities, such as jogging and aerobics.

The knee is formed by the following parts:

• Tibia. This is the shin bone or larger bone of the lower leg.

• Femur. This is the thighbone or upper leg bone.

• Patella. This is the kneecap.

Each bone end is covered with a layer of cartilage that absorbs shock and protects the knee. Basically, the knee is 2 long leg bones held together by muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

There are 2 groups of muscles involved in the knee, including the quadriceps muscles , which straighten the legs, and the hamstring muscles , which bend the leg at the knee.

Tendons are tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. Ligaments are elastic bands of tissue that connect bone to bone. Some ligaments on the knee provide stability and protection of the joints, while other ligaments limit forward and backward movement of the tibia .

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Injury To The Meniscus

The pain in the knee by bending the leg, pain in the inner part of the knee, pain climbing up the ladder, pain to the agachar or pain inside the knee, for example, can be indicative of injury to the meniscus that is a disc that works like a cushion or damper inside the knee. Generally, injuries to the meniscus are caused by physical activities such as judo, jiu-jitsu, or by natural degeneration, which is the aging of the meniscus and which can start at around 40 years of age.

What to do: must do rest and avoid activities that move a lot of the knee, plus physiotherapy to strengthen the musculature of the knee. In some cases, the doctor can also make corticoid injections or hyaluronic acid in the knee. In the most serious cases the surgery can be indicated.

Medial Knee Ligament Sprain

An MCL sprain is a tear to the ligament on the inside of the knee joint. It is caused either by a direct impact to the outside of the knee or from twisting. Symptoms include:

• Sudden onset pain located on the inside of the knee.
• Rapid swelling.
• Medial knee ligament injuries are graded from one to three depending on the severity.
• Often they will occur in conjunction with a medial cartilage meniscus injury.

• More on MCL sprain

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Causes Of Outer Knee Pain

Like the inside of your knee, the outside or lateral portion of the joint is a crossroads of many different anatomical structures. This can make getting to the bottom of pain in this area equally frustrating. If you have soreness near the lateral part of your knee, the most frequently seen causes are listed below.

What To Expect At Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam, and look at your knees, hips, legs, and other joints.

Your provider may do the following tests:

• MRI of the knee if a ligament or meniscus tear could be the cause
• CT scan of the knee
• Joint fluid culture

Your provider may inject a steroid into your knee to reduce pain and inflammation.

You may need to learn stretching and strengthening exercises. You also may need to see a podiatrist to be fitted for orthotics.

In some cases, you may need surgery.

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Complementary And Alternative Therapies

A number of mind-body therapies, such as acupuncture and tai chi, may be used to treat knee pain, especially knee osteoarthritis.

While once popular, the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin have fallen out of favor for treating knee osteoarthritis. This is due to their lack of benefit based on scientific studies although, some people may obtain mild relief. Like any medication, vitamin, or supplement, be sure to talk with your doctor first before taking it to be certain it is safe for you.

What Else Could It Be

If you are still not sure what is causing your severe knee pain, visit the knee pain diagnosis section where we help you work out what is going on by thinking about the location of the pain .

Alternatively, in the knee symptoms guide we look at other symptoms typically linked with knee pain such as pain when running or bending, knee locking, sharp pain or pain on the stairs. And remember, if you are suffering from severe knee pain, get checked out by your doctor.

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Exercise To Ease The Pain

Knee pain in children may respond well to certain exercises. Doing stretching and strengthening exercises will help make them feel better.

Stretching Exercise

It is important to stretch muscles before and after sports activities to reduce chances of injury.

• Hamstring stretch: It involves stretching with one leg hanging by the side of a bench and the other kept straight. Slowly move forward while bringing your chest close to the knee. Make sure to keep your back straight.
• Quadriceps stretch: Stand on one foot and place your hand on a wall for support. Pull your other leg up and behind to touch your buttocks lightly. Make sure to keep your knees close and back straight.

Strengthening Exercise

• Straight less raise strengthening: Lie down on the floor with your face towards the roof. While keeping your big toe up, turn your foot out slightly and tighten your quadriceps muscles. Make sure the foot is elevated 6-12 inches of the ground.
• Wall squat strengthening with pillow: Stand against a wall with your back straight and feet shoulder-width apart. Place a pillow between your knees and join your knees together. Lower your body very slowly while keeping your back against the wall. Keep lowering until your knees are at 60 degrees flexion. Hold this position for a few seconds and return to the starting position.

What Other Symptoms May Be Associated With Knee Pain

If you have knee pain, you may get other symptoms such as:

• swelling, redness or heat in the knee
• bruising around the knee
• locking or clicking
• inability to straighten your knee

See a doctor if the pain doesnt improve in a few weeks, if you cant move your knee or put any weight on it, or if your knee locks or gives way.

Go to an emergency department if your knee is very painful, is badly swollen or has changed shape, or if you have a fever and a red and hot knee.

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Articles On Knee Pain

You can do many things to help knee pain, whether it’s due to a recent injury or arthritis you’ve had for years.

Follow these 11 dos and donâts to help your knees feel their best.

Donât rest too much. Too much rest can weaken your muscles, which can worsen joint pain. Find an exercise program that is safe for your knees and stick with it. If you’re not sure which motions are safe or how much you can do, talk with your doctor or a physical therapist.

Do exercise. Cardio exercises strengthen the muscles that support your knee and increase flexibility. Weight training and stretching do, too. For cardio, some good choices include walking, swimming, water aerobics, stationary cycling, and elliptical machines. Tai chi may also help ease stiffness and improve balance.

Donât risk a fall. A painful or unstable knee can make a fall more likely, which can cause more knee damage. Curb your risk of falling by making sure your home is well lit, using handrails on staircases, and using a sturdy ladder or foot stool if you need to reach something from a high shelf.

Do use “RICE.” Rest, ice, compression, and elevation is good for knee pain caused by a minor injury or an arthritis flare. Give your knee some rest, apply ice to reduce swelling, wear a compressive bandage, and keep your knee elevated.

Don’t overlook your weight. If you’re overweight, losing weight reduces the stress on your knee. You donât even need to get to your “ideal” weight. Smaller changes still make a difference.

Understanding Knee Pain In Young Adults

Sore, aching knees might seem like a problem only older people experience, but guess what? Plenty of younger people have knee pain, too. But while the symptoms may feel similar, younger people tend to have knee pain for different reasons. And that means theyll need to have different types of care to feel better. Heres what you need to know about knee pain in kids and young adults.

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Treatments For Swollen Knee

• Your treatment will depend on whats causing your swollen knee and how painful it is. Your doctor will recommend the most appropriate treatment after diagnosing the underlying cause.

  In most cases, youll be advised to take painkillers. You can also apply ice and elevate your knee to help reduce the swelling. Sometimes removing some of the fluid in your knee helps reduce the pain and stiffness.

  Other treatments include:

How Can I Prevent Knee Pain

Although you canât prevent all injuries, you can take these steps to make them less likely.

• Stop exercising if you feel pain in your knee.
• If you want to make your workout more intense, always do it gradually.
• Stretch your legs before and after physical activity.
• Use kneepads to prevent bursitis, especially if you have to kneel a lot.
• Wear shoes that fit well and offer enough support.
• Keep your thigh muscles strong with regular stretching and strengthening.
• If youâre overweight, work to drop some pounds so thereâs less stress on all of your joints, including your knees.

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When To Contact A Doctor

Below are guidelines to help people decide if their knee swelling requires medical attention. If the person is still unsure whether to seek professional medical treatment, a phone call to a doctor or nurse can help determine whether an office visit is necessary.

A doctor should be contacted if:

• The knee is severely swollen or has a pronounced abnormality
• The knee cannot fully straighten or fully bend
• The knee is severely painful
• The person cannot bear weight on the knee, or feels as if the knee is going to “give out”
• The skin over the knee turns hot or red
• The person has a fever of 100.4° F or higher
• Knee swelling has been present for 3 days or longer

A doctor will examine the patient’s knee and ask the patient several questions. The physical examination and patient interview may provide enough information to make an accurate diagnosis. If more information is needed, the doctor may recommend medical imaging, such as an x-ray, or removing fluid from the knee using an in-office procedure called aspiration.

Leg swelling may be a cause for concernContact a doctor if the swelling affects the leg, not just the knee. Leg swelling can be a sign of a serious health problem.1,2

Seek immediate care if the leg swelling occurs suddenly with no known reason, particularly if it is accompanied by symptoms such as leg pain, chest pain, and/or problems breathing, as these may be signs of a life-threatening blood clot.