If the knee is swollen, what should I do? This is a common question. We will understand it in more detail.
A swollen knee is a signal of the body about the presence of pathology of the knee joint of various etiologies. Diagnosing this disease is quite easy, since there is always a swollen condition, and a person is not able to move normally. Doctors name several reasons that contribute to the development of such a pathology. To choose the right treatment regimen, you need to understand what factors caused the pathological process. Next, we consider this topic in more detail and find out why the knee is swollen and how to remove such a clinical manifestation.
The main causes of edema
The cause of knee swelling may be the development of pathogenic microorganisms. Edema can be very strong. What to do and how to cure him should be prompted by a doctor. Women and men should know the basic rules for helping treat knees. Doctors distinguish the following several reasons, due to which swelling in the knee area can be noted:
- Getting injured can cause a situation where the knee is swollen and sore. It usually refers to fractures and pathologies of the ligaments. A swollen joint and the area around the knee can cause some discomfort. At the same time, the patient will be uncomfortable walking.
- The presence of infectious pathology of various etiologies. In the event that pathogenic microorganisms get into the tissue of the knee joint, they can cause a pathological change, due to which the joint will become swollen.
- Knees swell as a result of allergic reactions. Such a symptom can, for example, be noticed after a bite of a mosquito, midge and other insects, as well as against the background of the use of pharmacological preparations.
- Swollen knees without pain indicate the presence of a neoplasm of various etiologies.
- Exerting a strong load on the muscles, because of this, the knee can crack, and then swell greatly. Thus, after exertion, the knee may swell or non-specific inflammation may form in its area.
- Violation of metabolic processes. Swelling of the knees is aided by various diseases, such as gout or diabetes.
- The presence of excess weight. The more extra pounds a person has, the greater the load on the knee joints and, as a result, they can swell.
In the event that the legs swell from the knees to the feet, then the swelling may be the result of such reasons as increased load on the foot or drinking excessive amounts of fluid.
What other reasons are there?
Why else can a knee swell without a bruise? It is worth noting that swelling of the knees can occur in a number of other cases:
- The knee may swell due to the presence of pathologies of the kidneys and other organs.
- Hypothermia of the body.
- The presence of autoimmune pathologies, for example, the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
When the knee is swollen, which doctor should I go to?
This question excites many. In the event that a person has a knee swelling for one reason or another, he should first contact a therapist. After the examination, the doctor is most likely to refer the patient to a traumatologist and orthopedist. Professionals of this profile are involved in the treatment of diseases of ligaments, muscles and bones. Thus, if the knee is swollen and sore, this is precisely their profile.
Diagnostics
Swelling of the knee serves as a signal of the body, against which you need to immediately go to your doctor. Doctors first determine the cause that caused such a pathology. It is very important to exclude the development of infectious processes.
Research methods
To establish the correct diagnosis when the knees swell, the following research methods are used in medicine:
- Conducting an ultrasound examination that helps to identify any pathological changes in the area of the joints.
- Performing magnetic resonance or computed tomography allows you to give accurate information regarding the general condition of the knee joints. Thanks to such techniques, the presence of various complications is determined.
- X-rays are used in projection, while the doctor clearly sees any pathological changes.
- The implementation of the puncture of the synovial plate. Thanks to this procedure, the doctor can see the presence of pathogenic microorganisms.
- Arthroscopy or surgical intervention makes it possible to establish certain pathological changes.
If the knee is swollen without injury, what help is needed?
First aid
After the knee is swollen, before contacting a medical institution, the patient needs first aid. It is important to be guided by the following rules:
- Limited mobility of the knee joint must be observed. A tight bandage should be applied to the affected area.
- The use of a warm compress will completely relax the muscles and improve blood circulation. Thanks to this technique, the condition of the joint can normalize. For a warm compress, the use of a warming ointment, warm water or a heating pad is suitable.
- Using a cold compress is also advisable. Such a compress will help remove the shade. You can use ice packs along with special ointments.
It should be emphasized that when this does not occur as a result of injuries, then it is especially important to consult a specialist to find out the reasons why the knee is swollen and reddened and get the necessary treatment.
Treatment
In the event that the knee is swollen, what should be done is decided by the doctor, based on the symptoms and diagnostic results. Therapy of a tumor of this joint depends on the cause. The simplest method for removing the tumor is to use a tight dressing moistened with alcohol. In this case, alcohol must be mixed with water one to one. Instead of alcohol, a solution of furacilin is suitable.
Cold exposure
After the diagnosis, experts recommend removing the edema through exposure to cold. In this case, ice in gauze is very good. But cold dressings are effective only in the first day after the appearance of edema. Then it is necessary to improve blood circulation, ointments are used for this. You can use the following medicines:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, Voltaren, Diclofenac and others. These ointments have anti-inflammatory properties.
- The use of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of Prednisolone and Hydrocortisone. They help relieve pathological inflammation and strengthen capillaries. Due to this, edema is reduced.
- Treatment with locally irritating drugs in the form of Apizartron and Finalgon. They improve blood circulation, restoring metabolic processes.
After using ointments, the knee area is fixed with a bandage.
With an allergic reaction
In the event that knee edema is caused by an allergic reaction to insect bites, then standard methods of treatment are undertaken by doctors:
- The sting is removed first.
- The bite area is washed using Furacilin or a solution of baking soda.
- Antihistamines are also used.
The main thing is to correctly identify the cause, because the knee is swollen for a reason.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy along with physiotherapy is carried out already at the recovery stage in order to support an effective treatment outcome. In some situations, electrophoresis is prescribed by specialists to remove edema. A variety of baths can be used along with general treatment. In addition, such patients are shown classes in therapeutic gymnastics, which includes an elementary complex of the following exercises:
- You need to lie on your back and alternately raise your legs, while limbs in the knee should be bent, pulling them to the stomach.
- Squats should be performed. It is recommended that you hold on to something during this exercise.
- Sitting on a chair you need to raise your knees to the sides.
Surgical intervention
In the event that a person has a serious injury or an inflammatory pathology is present, which is accompanied by a knee tumor, then sometimes a swollen joint can be cured only through surgical intervention. One can not do without it if the patient has the following symptoms:
- The lack of effect in the framework of medication.
- The presence of cartilage growth.
Surgical intervention
In surgery, the following manipulations are used:
- Bypass surgery is performed to normalize blood circulation. For this, a special device is used. Such treatment is particularly suitable in the presence of atherosclerosis. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Thanks to shunting, the affected area of the vessel that leads to the tumor is removed.
- Performing implantation. As part of this method, a deformed knee joint is replaced with a prosthesis. An implant can restore limb performance.
When the knee is swollen, folk remedies can be very effective.
The use of folk techniques
In the event that the knee is swollen and uncomfortable to bend, treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. In the presence of edema, first aid at home should be aimed at removing the tumor. The knee joint can swell and swell quite enough. How can you remove the swelling through folk methods, we will consider further.
Along with drug treatment, recipes from traditional medicine are widely used. But in any case, treatment with plants should be carried out under the strict supervision of a physician in order to get the desired effect, and not harm yourself.
The following recipes are considered the most common methods in this case:
- Chestnut treatment. To prepare the infusion, 600 g of fresh fruits will need to be chopped. The finished mixture is placed in a glass jar and poured with a liter of vodka. The product must be closed with a lid and stored for two weeks in a dark place. Ready tincture is used to rub joints, the treatment course lasts at least a month.
- The use of burdock. To do this, take several leaves of the plant, which are laid on top of each other. A basin of hot water is placed on top. The grass must be warm. Then the plant is fixed to the swollen knee with cellophane and a bandage. Such a compress should be done in the evening. He is kept during sleep. The tool is used for a course of 4 months.
- Treatment with calamus root. For the solution, you should use 200 g of the plant and put it in a glass jar, pouring a liter of vodka. The infusion will be ready for use after two days. Then it should be filtered. A tool is used in the form of a compress, which is performed at night. Before use, the skin is rubbed with vegetable oil.
If the knee is swollen, treatment should be comprehensive.
In addition, there are other methods of alternative medicine:
- Treatment with animal fat. The tumor is rubbed with a composition of animal fats. The skin is rubbed overnight and kept like this for about 12 hours. Best for this is interior or mutton fat.
- The use of clay. Clay is bred in warm water and applied for a couple of hours to a swollen knee. But only green or blue clay is suitable for such a compress.
- Lemon juice treatment. You should moisten a piece of cloth or gauze in lemon juice, and then apply a compress just below the swelling. Keep the product for about an hour.
The use of alternative methods should be carried out in conjunction with the main methods of treatment. In case of knee edema, it is mandatory to consult a doctor. Only after diagnosis by a doctor can you proceed to treatment. In order to consolidate the result, doctors can refer the patient to physiotherapeutic procedures or physiotherapy exercises.