Regardless of what the cause of knee edema lies, a similar symptom is considered a very unpleasant phenomenon. The tumor does not adorn either the male or female leg and brings a lot of problems to a person, causing discomfort during flexion of the limbs.
The occurrence of edema on the knees is sometimes a sign of metabolic disorders in the body, malfunctions in the functioning of internal organs, infection or allergies.
Regardless of whether pain arises in this case or not, a similar phenomenon requires medical attention. Only a specialist will establish the true cause of edema in the knees and prescribe the necessary course of treatment. Why does such a pathology develop and how to remove its clinical manifestations? Consider the most common causes. Swollen knees? The treatment of this disease will also be described below.
Injuries
Among the most common causes of pain and swelling in the knee is a bruise during exercise or sports. Especially often injuries occur in soccer players and hockey players.
They arise due to the fact that the athlete’s body sometimes continues to rotate by inertia at the moment when his foot has already taken a fixed position. This causes a sprain, and sometimes their rupture, accompanied by the corresponding symptoms. Among them:
- the occurrence of sharp pain in the knee in front and behind;
- increasing swelling of the joint;
- difficulty in bending the knee or inability to do this due to severe pain;
- discoloration of the skin, which acquires a purplish-cyanotic hue.
But sports injury is not the only cause of knee edema caused by external factors. It provokes such a pathology by a blow received, for example, during a fall. Such exposure can cause fracture of the patella and tendon rupture. Such an injury will require serious examination and long-term treatment.
Gonarthosis
This pathology also causes swelling of the knees. The reason for this phenomenon in this case lies in the presence of a degenerative-dystrophic process that occurs in the tissues of the joint. Its consequences are:
- thinning of articular cartilage;
- decrease in bone strength;
- formation of acute outgrowths along the edges of the bones.
Gonarthrosis usually develops in old age. In women, the causes of knee edema lie in a change in the hormonal background.
That is why they are most affected by this pathology during menopause. The main symptoms of the disease are:
- pain and swelling in the knee;
- difficulty bending the limb;
- a feeling of crunching and clicking when moving;
- stiffness in the joint.
Among the causes of pain and swelling in the knee is obesity. It is the most significant factor provoking the development of gonarthrosis. With excess body weight, the load on the knee joint increases many times. And this provokes a fairly quick wear of the joint.
Autoimmune pathologies
Why do knees hurt and swell? The causes of this pathology may lie in systemic diseases that affect connective tissues, such as, for example, lupus erythematosus. Such ailments cause inflammation in the knee joint or arthritis. To restore health in this case, the patient needs to be observed by a rheumatologist for a long time and undergo a long-term course of treatment with hormonal drugs.
Infectious diseases
Sometimes knee edema occurs for no reason. A similar phenomenon is observed with infectious diseases. Doctors warn that any contagious disease can lead to such a complication, especially in cases where it is caused by pathogenic viruses.
Nevertheless, the development of certain pathologies provokes such changes in the joints that bring pain to the forefront. Swelling of the knee in this case provokes pathogenic microorganisms that have penetrated the tissue and caused painful changes in it. In the list of such pathologies are:
- pseudotuberculosis, the course of which is accompanied by gastrointestinal disorders, arthritis and rash;
- brucellosis, which is an occupational disease of veterinarians, as well as people who are in regular contact with cattle, manifested by joint damage, fever, infertility and a mental change;
- borreliosis that occurs when a tick bites and affects the joints, heart, skin and brain;
- Reiter’s syndrome, caused by a chlamydial infection from which the joints hurt, there is eye pathology and the urethra is inflamed;
- bone-articular tuberculosis, affecting the knee joint and provoking its progressive destruction;
- bursitis, which is an inflammatory process of the periarticular bag and causing pain in the knee, its edema, accompanied by difficulties during movements.
Pathogens can be one of the causes of edema above the knee or below it, right down to the foot. The same phenomenon sometimes cause injuries.
Quincke's edema
Without an accurate identification of the causes of knee edema, the treatment of this pathology cannot be carried out as efficiently as possible. For example, a special treatment is required when the joint swells due to an acute allergic reaction called Quincke's edema. This condition occurs due to swelling in the subcutaneous fat and in the mucous membranes. Such an allergy develops almost instantly, affecting the face, neck, palms and feet. In the most severe cases, it manifests itself in the joints, meninges and internal organs.
Quincke's edema can occur during an allergic reaction of the body during the introduction of any drug into it, to vaccination, to library or house dust, food, plant pollen, to ticks and to helminthic invasion.
With the development of symptoms of Quincke's edema, which are a hoarseness of voice, a barking cough, sore throat and abdomen, pain when urinating and swelling of the joints, an ambulance should be called immediately. Lightning fast swelling is able to block access to breathing. Such a patient must be placed in a hospital, where he must be at least a week until the life-threatening condition is completely eliminated. In this case, hormonal drugs, glucocorticosteroids and adrenaline are prescribed to the patient. The patient also takes anti-allergic medicines, which have a strong effect on the body.
As you can see, the causes of knee edema without pain can be the most serious.
Consequence of the load
The knees swell during physical exertion. This may be the result of a quick or long walk, general overwork or hard work. In most cases, knee edema during physical exertion occurs in those people who previously had this joint injured. At risk are patients of mature age who suffer from pathologies of the vascular system and kidneys.
If for these reasons the knees swollen, treatment is not required for the person. Removing the symptoms will help relieve physical activity and rest, as well as the use of traditional medicine.
Tendenit
This disease is a pathological process that develops in the place where tendons and muscles are attached to the bone tissue. In this case, the knee swells and begins to ache painfully while moving. If this is precisely the cause of knee edema, treatment should be prescribed immediately. In the absence of therapy, there is a possibility of complete atrophy of the tendon fibers.
Gout
This disease occurs when uric acid accumulates in the body. Gout manifests its activity in the joints of the toes, as well as sometimes in the knee. At the same time, intense pain is felt at the site of localization of the inflammatory process. If untreated, the patient faces disability.
Septic arthritis
This disease is one of the varieties of infectious arthritis. It is provoked by pathogenic bacteria. In this case, knee edema is accompanied by pain, chills, redness of the skin and limitation of the flexion function of the joint.
Polyarthritis
With the development of such a pathology, the knee swelling and pain in it has only a seasonal character. Polyarthritis is characterized by damage to several joints at once. However, the inflammatory process is fast enough, which does not allow the patient to fully recognize the presence of a problem. It is possible to identify polyarthritis only when visiting a doctor, who will determine the diagnosis.
Vascular and heart diseases
These pathologies can also cause knee edema. Due to insufficient blood flow, swelling occurs on the right and left sides of the joint, which are quite soft to the touch. Most often, this phenomenon occurs in the evening. In the case of untimely taken therapeutic measures, this symptomatology is observed constantly and is accompanied by an increase in the density of soft tissues located on both sides of the joint.
Varicose veins
Often in adulthood, knees swell in women. The reasons and how to treat this condition should be determined by a doctor. So, swelling of the knee can be the result of venous insufficiency, which is manifested by heaviness in the legs and spider veins. If the disease is not treated, then it can cause such a dangerous complication as thrombophlebitis. In this condition, a clot occurs in the veins. The patient begins to suffer from severe pain in the affected limbs. At the same time, he develops edema above the knee, tissues are compacted at the site of the inflamed area and hyperemia occurs. Palpation of the leg feels an increase in temperature, and touching it, even the slightest, causes a person pain.
Joint swelling with venous insufficiency decreases slightly during sleep. This is explained by the improvement of the outflow of blood in the limb, which is in a horizontal position.
Lymphostasis
Edema with this pathology is localized from the hip to the foot. They are due to stagnation of lymph. At the initial stage of the disease, tissue is densified. The skin in the affected area darkens. With the development of the disease, swelling increases, which leads to an increase in leg size.
As for malignant tumors, they are extremely rare in the knee joint. With their development, the patient sharply loses body weight, suffers from night sweats and persistent hyperemia.
How to help the knee?
In the event of swelling in the joint of the lower limb and in the event of discomfort, it is necessary:
- Resting your knees. It is recommended that you keep your feet in such a position that they are above your head. In the process of walking, do not exclude the possibility of using crutches.
- Apply ice to the area of the edema, which will relieve inflammation. The duration of this procedure is 10 minutes. In addition, it is recommended to apply compresses to the painful area up to three times during the day.
- Do not use heat for signs of injury. At the same time, you should also refrain from a hot bath or shower.
- Apply a pressure dressing. A similar measure will immobilize the leg and remove swelling from the knee. In this case, it is recommended to use an elastic bandage, which should not be wound too tight so as not to disturb blood circulation.
- Massage. The procedure, accompanied by light movements, will increase blood flow in the affected area.
- Use painkillers such as Acetaminophen and Aspirin, which are dispensed without a doctor’s prescription.
Treatment
In the event that the measures taken at home did not bring relief, you should consult a doctor.
Only after establishing the exact cause of such a phenomenon, the most effective tumor therapy can be prescribed.
In this case, help to cope with the problem:
- Ointments, creams and gels. Among them are Apizartron, Vishnevsky ointment, Viprosal, Diclofenac and others. They include various medicinal components, such as bee or snake venom, extracts obtained from medicinal plants, shark fat, as well as antiseptic and warming additives.
- Capsules and pills. Non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used from the inside out to influence the problem. These are Diclofenac, Prednisone, Ibuprofen and others. With their help, swelling decreases, acute and pulling pain syndromes are removed.
- Intra-articular injection. With the help of these drugs, which are injected directly into the knee, blood circulation is normalized and articular cartilage is restored. Medicines of this type include Arthrin, Arthra, and Chondroxide.
Physiotherapy
Similar events also find their application in the complex treatment of swelling of the knee joint.
With their help, not only the external manifestations of the pathology are eliminated, but also there is nutrition, as well as the restoration of damaged tissues. Among the procedures prescribed for this problem should include the following:
- laser therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- UHF treatment;
- magnetic therapy;
- electromagnetic radiation;
- exposure to ultrasound;
- ozone therapy;
- hydrogen sulfide and mud baths;
- massage.
Alternative remedies
Sometimes pharmacological treatment is complicated by adverse reactions, including allergies. Swelling and pain in the knee in this case are quite pronounced, which requires the adoption of immediate measures to eliminate them.
In this case, it is recommended to use folk remedies for swelling of the knee. The reasons for the treatment of pathology with their use can be eliminated without negative effects on the body of pharmaceuticals. Below is a list of the most popular recipes.
- Bandage on the knee using a cabbage leaf. Do it at night for 10-15 days. Cabbage will remove inflammation and remove toxic substances from the deep layers of the skin.
- A compress of horseradish and raw potatoes. Vegetables are rubbed on a coarse grater and laid out on cheesecloth. They are applied to a sore knee in the form of a compress. It must be kept for 10-15 minutes.
- A compress of honey mixed with soda and mustard powder. The ingredients are taken in equal amounts and are interconnected. The resulting mass is applied in the form of a compress overnight for 5-7 days. This tool allows you to eliminate puffiness and relieve pain.
- Gelatin. This product is used both externally, in the form of lotions and compresses, and inside as part of marmalade, jellied meat and jelly.
- Healing herbs. Cleansing infusions from walnut, burdock and lingonberry leaves are recommended to be taken by folk healers. These plants allow you to remove salts and harmful substances from the body. Thanks to this, the joints also heal.
Regardless of the cause, treatment of knee edema with folk remedies can produce a wonderful effect. In addition, in the fight against pathology, it is necessary to use all available methods. And to prevent an ailment, you should carefully consider your health and, if you experience negative symptoms, immediately consult a doctor.