The knee may swell as a result of injury to the tendons, ligaments, or meniscus. Other health problems such as arthritis can also cause swelling of the knee joint. Even excessive activity can cause your knees to swell. Swelling can occur in the knee joint or the surrounding tissue. Swelling of the tissue around the knee is often referred to as "knee excess fluid." Once you've been diagnosed with knee swelling, you can try a number of home remedies. But if your knee is still swollen or painful, then you should visit a health professional for advice and treatment.
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Method 1 of 4: Diagnosing Swelling in the Knee
Step 1. Compare the affected knee with your other knee
Notice the bulge around the kneecap or around the knee.
- The swollen area may also be behind the knee. This swelling may be a sign of a Baker's cyst, which occurs when excess fluid is pushed into the tissue behind your knee. The result is swelling behind the knee that gets worse when you stand up.
- If your sore knee appears redder and feels warmer to the touch than your other knee, see your doctor.
Step 2. Bend and straighten your legs
If you feel discomfort when moving your leg, you may have a certain degree of injury that should be treated. You may feel pain or stiffness. Your leg stiffness is most likely the result of fluid buildup in your knees.
Step 3. Try walking on your feet
The injured leg may be painful when used to stand. Try putting your weight on your feet and walking.
Step 4. Visit a doctor
While you may be able to diagnose swelling in the knee, you may not know the real cause of the swelling. It's best to have it checked by your doctor, especially if your swelling doesn't go away, is painful, or doesn't go away within a few days.
Some other health conditions that may cause swelling of the knee include: injuries such as torn ligaments or cartilage, irritation from overuse of the knee, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, infection, or other conditions
Method 2 of 4: Professional Treatment Options
Step 1. Make an appointment with your doctor
See a doctor if your swelling is large enough, or you can no longer put weight on your knee. You should also see a doctor if there is a marked change in the shape of your knee, or if you have a fever and there is redness in your knee, which may indicate an infection. Also, see a doctor if you don't feel better after about 4 days. Your ligaments may be damaged.
- The doctor will examine your knee to determine the cause of the swelling. He or she may ask you to undergo an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI examination. Through this examination, injuries to the bones, tendons, or ligaments can be detected.
- Another procedure your doctor may try is to take a sample of fluid from your knee. Then he or she will check the fluid for blood, bacteria, or crystals.
- Your doctor may inject steroids into your leg to reduce pain.
Step 2. Ask about surgery
Depending on the condition causing the swelling, your doctor may suggest surgery. Some common types of knee surgery are:
- Arthrocentesis: Removal of fluid from your knee to relieve pressure on the joint.
- Arthroscopy: Removal of loose or damaged tissue from around the knee.
- Joint replacement: You can have joint replacement surgery if your knee does not improve and the pain in the knee is unbearable.
Step 3. See a physiotherapist
A physiotherapist will examine your feet. He or she will also give you specific exercises, based on your condition, to strengthen the muscles around the knee joint.
Step 4. Visit an orthopedist
Foot problems such as flat feet, and other conditions may cause pain and swelling in the knee. Visit a podiatrist and ask him to examine your feet in person. He or she may advise you to wear orthotics, which are foot pads inside your shoes.
The orthopedist may need to examine your back and pelvis. Pain that results from the back, pelvis, or legs is called referred pain
Method 3 of 4: Preventing Knee Swelling
Step 1. Put on knee protectors
If you spend a lot of time sitting on your knees (on your knees), such as when doing housework or gardening, wear knee pads.
If possible, take frequent breaks for 10-20 seconds. During this rest period, stand up and stretch your legs. Allow your feet to return to their resting position
Step 2. Avoid bending your legs and squatting
Repetitive movements that use the knee should be avoided if you want to prevent your knee from swelling.
Step 3. Avoid sports and strenuous exercise
Many sports, especially those that involve jumping and running, can damage your knees. Avoid surfing, running, and playing basketball until your knee is fully healed.
Step 4. Eat foods that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients
Your diet can put you at increased risk for swelling of your knees or other parts of your body. Try to stay away from processed, fried, or sugary foods. Increase your intake of fruit, vegetables, protein, and whole grains.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are food ingredients that have anti-inflammatory properties. Eat more salmon and tuna to add omega 3 fatty acids to your diet.
- Try the Mediterranean diet. This diet is rich in healthy protein content, such as fish and chicken, and is rich in vegetables, olive oil, and nuts.
Step 5. Avoid smoking
Smoking can block the flow of oxygen and blood in your body. This then results in a decreased ability of the network to recover itself.
Method 4 of 4: Trying Home Treatments
Step 1. Rest your feet
Let your feet rest, and try to reduce walking to a minimum.
- Place your legs raised up so that they are higher than your heart when you lie down. Provide pillows or use the armrests for leg and knee support.
- Use crutches if you feel pain to straighten your legs and put weight on your body.
Step 2. Ice your knee
Apply ice to the swollen area of the knee directly for 10 - 20 minutes. Do this treatment 3 times a day to reduce swelling.
You can also use frozen ice packs instead of ice
Step 3. Avoid heat for the first 48 hours
If you have an injury that causes swelling of your knee, avoid putting heat on your knee. This includes heating pads, bathing or soaking in hot water.
Step 4. Use a compress bandage
Wrap your knee with an elastic bandage to apply pressure. This will help to reduce swelling. Try using an elastic bandage that can stick together so you don't need a brace.
- You can buy a compress bandage at the nearest pharmacy.
- Be careful not to wrap your knee too tightly. If you feel numbness, tingling, your skin is turning a strange color, or your knee is getting worse, then your bandage is too tight.
Step 5. Massage your knees gently
Massage with very gentle movements can help increase blood flow to your knee. If it hurts, avoid massaging the area.
Step 6. Relieve pain with over-the-counter pain relievers
Try anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, paracetamol, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen.
- When taking painkillers like these, be sure to follow the dosage recommended on the label.
- You can also try using a topical pain reliever. Talk to your pharmacist to find out how to use it properly. You can also use a plaster containing the analgesic lidocaine to relieve pain.
