Knee pain can originate from degenerative diseases fractures, tears, dislocations, and sprains of the knee. The knee joint is complex and easy to injure due to a variety of reasons such as falls, accidents, sports participation, and age. Some knee injuries require less-invasive, or non-surgical, treatment such as physical therapy or wearing a knee brace. Other more extensive injuries can require surgery.
Your knee is made up of several components – bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage – and are connected to important muscle groups in the leg. Any of these parts can become injured or damaged by disease or because of an unfortunate accident.
Signs of knee injuries or disease, such as osteoarthritis, may include:
- Pain, either with or without movement
- Swelling
- Feeling like the knee locks up when trying to move it
- Instability or weakness in the knee
Arthritic conditions, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, fractures, tears, sprains, and dislocations can all cause knee pain, swelling, and immobility. If your knee pain is relatively recent or if you think it may be due to a minor injury, your pain may clear up through the following actions:
- Rest the leg and knee associated with the pain and/or injury
- Treat the area with a cold pack – use for 10 to 20 minutes. Do not place the ice pack directly on skin.
- Avoid heat – this is will cause increased swelling and pain
- Avoid athletic participation or any other activity that may cause further strain or injury
- Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication to treat the immediate pain
If you choose to treat your knee pain or injury at home, you must be sure you do not re-injure or cause further damage to the knee. If your knee pain persists more than 48 hours, you should make an appointment for a medical evaluation.