Why Is My Knee Swollen And How To Treat It

Swelling in your knee is caused by the buildup of excess fluid in and around your joint. Also sometimes referred to as an effusion, knee swelling can make daily movements uncomfortable and leave you shying away from physical activity. Unfortunately, activity limitation can lead to muscle weakness and joint destabilization, which can increase your risk of inflammation, swelling and discomfort in your knee.

So why does your knee swell in the first place, and what can you do to remove this excess fluid and restore normal motion in your joint? We answer those questions in today’s blog on the causes and treatment options for swollen knees.

Causes Of Knee Swelling

There are a number of different reasons why you may be experiencing swelling in one or both of your knees. In many cases, this swelling is classified as traumatic or non-traumatic. Here’s a look at some traumatic causes of knee swelling.

• Acute/Direct Trauma - Trauma to the knee caused by a collision or fall can lead to swelling as your body attempts to protect the joint from additional trauma and heal the original damage. If there is an injury with rapid swelling seek immediate medical attention. 
• Repetitive Stress - Prolonged stress can also trigger an inflammatory response in the knees. Runners or athletes who put a lot of strain on their lower body may find that their knees are a little swollen after a game or workout.
• Tissue Tear - If you suffer a tear to one of the key soft tissues in your knee, your body may increase fluid and white blood cells to the area as part of its natural trauma response. Damage to any of the four main knee ligaments (ACL, LCL, MCL, PCL) or a torn meniscus can lead to localized swelling in the knee.
• Fractures - Bone fractures at the knee or in close proximity to the joint can also trigger an inflammatory response and fluid buildup in the knee.

Non-traumatic causes of knee swelling include:

• Osteoarthritis/Rheumatoid Arthritis - Arthritic degeneration or an inflammatory response caused by an immune disorder can lead to knee swelling.
• Infection - Swelling is a common symptom of a localized infection.
• Bursitis - Bursitis is a knee condition caused by inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that help to lubricate tissues in and around the joint.
• Cyst/Tumor - The presence of a cyst or tumor in the area can also lead to fluid buildup and swelling in the joint.
• Gout
• Lyme Disease

How To Decrease Knee Swelling

If you want to alleviate swelling in your knees, your first step is to figure out exactly what’s causing the issue. If you believe swelling is caused by a traumatic issue when in fact you’re dealing with arthritic degeneration, you may have a tough time finding the right course of treatment. Head to a physician’s office or work to make a diagnosis on your own, and feel free to lean on Dr. Reznik’s latest publication, The Knee & Shoulder Handbook, for additional diagnostic and treatment tips.

Your doctor can provide you with a hyperspecific treatment plan for managing your knee swelling, but oftentimes they’ll work to limit additional stress on the joint before gradually working to restore strength and function in the area. Oftentimes that is achieved through a combination of the following conservative treatment techniques:

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation
• Anti-inflammatories
• Knee Bracing
• Activity Modifications
• Weight Loss
• Physical Therapy

Most patients find that their swelling decreases or completely resolves with the help of the above techniques. If you’ve pursued weeks of conservative treatments and symptoms persist or have worsened, more hands-on care may be required. Corticosteroid injections or a minimally invasive procedure can eventually lead to long-term swelling relief, and your doctor can walk you through the specifics of these operations should your care require it.

For more information about managing acute or chronic knee swelling, or for help with a different joint issue, grab a copy of The Knee & Shoulder Handbook or connect with Dr. Reznik today by calling (203) 865-6784.