Seek medical attention immediately if the knee pain is due to a fall or other injury. Medical care is required if any cracking or popping sounds were heard from the knee; if the knee is unstable, wobbling or can't support body weight; if there is excessive swelling; or if the knee is red and warm to the touch.
Seek immediate medical attention
Ask someone to drive you to urgent care or the emergency room if your knee pain is caused by an injury and is accompanied by: A joint that appears deformed. A popping noise at the time your knee was injured. Inability to bear weight.
The emergency room can perform x-rays and quickly assess the painful problem with your knee. Even if the diagnosis is to send you home with crutches and some pain medication, the emergency room could be the right answer if you can't walk on your knee.
Red flags in physical examination
For those who are symptomatic can present with discoloration, pain, warmth, swelling, and tenderness of the affected extremity (11).
Generally, athletes should see a healthcare provider for pain lasting more than 48 hours and other adults should see an expert if there seems to be no change for three weeks. Generally, most healthcare providers recommend that you schedule an appointment as soon as you notice that your symptoms impact the way you live.
If you experience any of the following, you've most likely sustained a completely torn ligament and should make a trip to an orthopedic immediate care facility as soon as possible: An audible “pop” at the time of injury. Feeling tearing at the time of injury. Experiencing muscle spasms surrounding the injury site.
Not all meniscus tears require a doctor's care. Pain and swelling that recur or don't go away are usually signs a tear is serious enough to see a doctor. Locking, or being unable to straighten or bend the knee also merits a trip to the doctor.
The most common causes of knee pain are related to aging, injury or repeated stress on the knee. Common knee problems include sprained or strained ligaments, cartilage tears, tendonitis and arthritis.
Swelling or stiffness. Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee. Difficulty straightening your knee fully. Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it.
Prepatellar bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa in the front of the kneecap (patella). It occurs when the bursa becomes irritated and produces too much fluid, which causes it to swell and put pressure on the adjacent parts of the knee.
Less severe knee injuries may heal on their own, but don't wait any longer than 3-7 days for your knee pain to go away even if you feel your injury isn't very severe. Knee pain is probably one of most common reasons to visit an Orthopaedic doctor.
Be as specific as possible when describing the location of your knee pain. You can use terms such as “inside,” outside,” front,” or “back” of the knee to describe and show the knee doctor where exactly you're experiencing pain. Tell the doctor if the pain feels like it's only on the surface of your knee or deeper.
You may need surgery when your knee has structural damage. You may also need it if your knee pain has not responded to other methods of pain relief for structural damage or other conditions, such as osteoarthritis. If you choose surgery, an anesthesiologist will prevent you from feeling pain during the operation.
Often you will have pain at the sides of the knee and swelling over the injury site. If it is an MCL injury, the pain is on the inside of the knee. An LCL injury may cause pain on the outside of the knee. The knee will also feel unstable, like it is going to give way.
Pain with movement or activity in the knee. Swelling in the knee. Walking with a limp or a feeling that the knee is going to “give out” with standing and walking. The feeling of a “pop” or “snap” felt in the knee when the injury occurred.
Minor ligament sprains may cause little in the way of swelling and the swelling may not appear for a few hours. However, completely torn ligaments may lead to a lot of knee swelling which comes on very quickly (within two hours) and is very painful. Pain in your knee.
The Pain Won't Go Away
But if the pain doesn't lessen or disappear after about three weeks, or the knee is giving out when you try to walk, you should probably see a doctor. Torn cartilage, which can occur with injuries of the knee or arthritis, is another common cause of knee pain, adds Gotlin.
Often when the cause of bad knee pain is left untreated it can lead to further injury and serious complications. Your knee may swell, become unstable, lock up, and/or develop a deformity. Unbearable knee pain will not go away until you finally seek treatment.
Moderate walking is recommended for people with knee pain because it's a low-impact activity. If your joints are painful and stiff, start slowly and work up to 20 minutes of walking per day, recommends Stuchin.
Stage 4 (Severe). Severe osteoarthritis means that the cartilage is almost gone. Your knee is stiff, painful and possibly immobile. You might need surgery.
Back or Side Sleeping for Less Knee Pain
If on your back, put a pillow under your knees for support. On your side, keep your knee in a flexed position to minimize pain. Try to never sleep with your legs crossed. If you have knee pain due to injury, you should see an orthopaedic specialist.
Grade 3: Moderate OA. Frequent pain during movement, joint stiffness will also be more present, especially after sitting for long periods and in the morning. The cartilage between the bones shows obvious damage, and the space between the bones is getting smaller.