This depends on the underlying cause. If the swelling came on suddenly due to an injury, it may only last a day. If the swelling doesn't go down after a few days, you should see your GP. You may need treatment to address the cause of your swelling eg due to an underlying disease, infection or more serious injury.
You can start treating most causes of knee swelling at home with rest and over-the-counter medicine. Visit a healthcare provider if you experienced a trauma or sports injury. See a provider if the swelling doesn't get better in a few days, if you're in severe pain or can't move your knee.
Chronic or long-standing swelling may lead to joint tissue damage, cartilage degradation, and bone softening, therefore treatment is usually recommended.
The amount of knee swelling may vary day to day and it may feel like it comes and goes as the injury is healing. It usually takes 6-12 weeks for soft tissues (i.e. muscles & ligaments) to heal, but cartilage injuries can take longer, as the cartilage has a very poor blood supply.
Chronic swelling can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. In many cases, swelling can be treated at home with painkillers and by elevating your leg. However, you should see your GP if you think your knee is infected, or if your swelling doesn't go down after a few days.
Arthritis, infections, gout or pseudogout (a form of arthritis caused by calcium pyrophosphate crystals) can also cause fluid on the knee. The swelling will probably get worse if you overuse the joint since that can cause a repetitive injury.
Sudden severe pain with no apparent cause can indicate a serious knee injury. This could include a meniscus tear, torn ligament, fractured bone, or a dislocated kneecap. Seek immediate professional help if the sudden severe pin limits your movement or ability to bear weight on the affected knee.
Inflammation and swelling: Walking increases blood flow to the tissues, which can help reduce knee inflammation and swelling. Joint stiffness and weakness: Low impact activity helps build muscle strength and joint mobility.
Fluid on the knee can cause discomfort and is usually a sign that something is wrong. The type of fluid that accumulates around the knee depends on the underlying disease, condition, or type of traumatic injury that caused the excess fluid. A doctor may remove some of the fluid and send it for testing in the lab.
When to Seek Care for Swelling. You should seek emergency care if you have sudden, unexplained swelling in just one limb or if it occurs along with chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, fever, or skin that is red and warm to the touch.
The joint should not necessarily be immobile; people with knee swelling should try to gently flex and straighten the knee several times a day to maintain range of motion.
The right treatment for water on the knee depends on the cause. In mild cases, fluid could go away on its own or with the help of some at-home treatments, such as: R.I.C.E. protocol: Rest, ice, compression, and elevation can help relieve minor pain directly after an injury.
A great place to start with swollen knee treatment is to provide support and compression to the joint. The simplest and most effective way to use compression on a swollen knee is Tubigrip. Tubigrip is a specially designed elasticated bandage. It is made up of small elastic threads that are covered in fabric.
If you cannot put any weight on your knee, you're feeling sick, running a fever, or if your knee is red and hot to the touch, seeking emergency care is probably the best course of action. Your knee pain may be the result of a fracture or some sort of infection, and you shouldn't delay seeking help.
When your knee pain progresses enough to give you a limp or make you avoid walking, see a doctor. Pain of this intensity can indicate a bone injury or a degenerative condition.
A lump on the side of knee – either inside or outside- is most likely a meniscal cyst. A meniscal cyst is a collection of thick fluid arising from a tear of the meniscal cartilage, which is the cushioning of the knee.
Joint aspiration is a procedure to remove fluid from the space around a joint using a needle and syringe. This is usually done under a local anesthetic to relieve swelling and/or to obtain fluid for analysis to diagnose a joint disorder or problem. Joint aspiration is most often done on the knee.
Best Sleep Position for Knee Pain
Place pillow under both legs to elevate the knee above the level of the heart. If there is swelling in the knee, the elevation can help to reduce it. If you have knee stiffness, it is usually best to keep the knee straight while sleeping.
It should be temporary. Your body is swelling the knee until healing of an injury can take place.
If you notice your knee injury isn't healing, it could be because you misjudged the severity or you simply didn't give it enough time and rest. Moderate soft-tissue injuries generally need a minimum of two weeks to heal, and returning too soon from a knee injury can actually cause more pain and tissue damage.