Knee is part of the limb that enables humans to move around and as a means of survival. Without the knee, humans might be unable to perform any movement as it works as a connector to bones of the upper and lower leg and a human movement may be unstable as it also supports the body weight. When the knee is hurt or having problems, it can easily be detected through the way the human walks. Medical supplement might help to improve the knee’s structure and its functions.
Knee is a joint that is susceptible to injury such as trauma, inflammation, infection and ageing process. Such injury may cause the knee to become swollen and is often associated with pain sensation. A swollen knee is also known as knee effusion or water on the knee. This condition can be explained by accumulation of excess fluid in the knee and around the knee joint. There are many medical conditions that could lead to a swollen knee with pain, this includes:
1- Trauma. Trauma is the most common cause for a painful swollen knee. The swelling process is usually almost immediately upon contact with trauma. Both direct trauma (such as motor accidents or a blow to the knee) and indirect trauma (twisting motion from sports or strenuous physical activity) can lead to painful knee effusion due to the knee structures such as fractured bones, torn ligaments or meniscus tear affected by the injury.
2- Overuse knees. Repeated knee movement easily leads to microtrauma to the knee. This causes fastening the wear-and-tear progression causing damage to the knee.
3- Rheumatoid arthritis. An autoimmune disease usually affecting small joints but also may involve big joints such as the knee. Arthritis in general caused the joints to be inflamed. Symptoms of pain, swelling and stiffness are common among patients and typically affect both sides of the joints. For example, patients complain of arthritis symptoms in both left and right of the knee especially in the morning.
4- Septic arthritis. Infection in the joint fluid is usually caused by bacteria or viruses. This disease affects one joint at a time. Pain and swollen knees are common if the septic arthritis affects the knee joints.
5- Osteoarthritis. A degenerative disease causing the cartilage covering the knee to become worn out and abnormal growth of new bone, spurs around the joints. This disease is caused by the ageing process.
6- Tumour. Painful knee effusion may occur in both benign and malignant tumours. Associated symptoms such as unspecified fever, unintentional weight loss, night sweats and excruciating pain during the night should raise alarm that the tumour may be a cancer.
7- Gout. High levels of uric acid in the blood can lead to formation of uric acid crystals. These needle-shaped crystals are then deposited in the joint, usually in the big toe joint but there are also some cases where the crystals can be found in the knee joint.
8- Pseudogout. Also known as calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD). This disease may seem similar to gout but the crystals are not uric acid and are usually in rhomboid shape when observed under microscope.
Since there are many diseases that show symptoms of swollen knees with pain, it is advisable to seek medical attention to help identify the exact causes of the symptoms and to get the right treatment. If the symptoms do not improve within two days, you should seek urgent medical advice. Delaying treatment will not only cause you to experience the debilitating symptoms for a longer time, but also it may lead to the knee’s joint becoming permanently damaged. Take care of your health.
