Dr.Gotlin has a famous sentence:
«You should see a doctor when the knee is running your life instead of you running the knee’s life»
In other words, whenever your knee problem becomes so severe that it becomes difficult for you to continue living a normal life, so that you are not able to do your daily chores, you should take that knee pain seriously.
Knee pain can occur from adolescence to older ages. With the difference that the cause of knee pain will be different in youth and older ages. But how do we know which of our knee pain is serious and needs medical examination and treatment?
what you will read next :
Anatomy of the knee
The knee is a mobile joint in the human body, when we stand one and a half times our weight falls on the knee. The health of each component of the knee structure, such as bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, etc. play a role in our mental movements and ability to stand.
Causes of knee pain
The causes of knee pain are a lot. Perhaps the most common cause of knee pain is knee osteoarthritis (knee joint osteoarthritis), Osteoarthritis of the knee in all of us begins at an early age and progresses over time, and sometimes in some people occurs due to complete destruction of the cartilage of the knee for various reasons. Accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis.
Which knee pain is serious?
The following indicate that the knee pain is serious:
- Swelling of the knee joint
- Existence of a pronounced deformity in the external structure of the knee
- Changes in the range of motion of the knee
- When it becomes impossible to stand on your knees
- When it is impossible to straighten your knees
- Locking the knee
- Swelling of the knee joint
Extensive swelling of the knee is one of the most obvious symptoms of cartilage and ligament injuries around the knee. Comparing a swollen knee to a healthy side can give you a relative estimate of the amount of swelling.
In other words, when there is a significant difference between a healthy and involved knee, we experience a large swelling of the knee that is very serious, the swollen knee is usually warmer to the touch, and we can feel fluid accumulation underneath. If you notice the above conditions, it is better to raise your knee, apply a cold compress and see an orthopedist.
- Existence of a pronounced deformity in the external structure of the knee
If you notice changes in the appearance of the knee (changes that did not exist before), consider it a warning of an important event.
For example, dislocation of the patella following an injury is an example of acute deformity of the knee.
Deformities that occur over time following weight gain in the vertical direction of the legs and knee joint are also examples of chronic knee deformities (crossed knee and braced knee).
- Changes in the range of motion of the knee
If your knee is unable to move more than its previous range of motion, it is a sign of damage to the surrounding soft tissues that have caused the knee to become unstable. In these cases, you will not be able to stand on your injured knee and it will empty under your feet.
So emptying the knee will also be a sign of serious injury.
Ruptures (anterior cruciate ligament) of the ACL and patellar dislocations are associated with knee instability.
If the instability and sagging of your knee is accompanied by occasional locking and swelling of the knee, it could be a sign of a piece of cartilage or torn bone that gets stuck as your knee joint moves through space.
- When it becomes impossible to stand on your knees
Do not delay seeing an orthopedist if you cannot stand on your knees.
In infants and children with infectious inflammation of the knee joint, the child will not be able to put the injured foot down. Although infectious arthritis usually affects one knee and is accompanied by fever and changes in the white blood cells in the tests, the same clinical sign (inability to stand on the injured person’s leg) is sufficient for the patient to see a doctor.
- When it is impossible to straighten your knees
Patellar fractures, patellar tendon injuries, quadriceps tendon ruptures, etc. are some of the injuries that can prevent your knee from holding straight.
- Locking the knee
Locking the knee creates almost the same conditions as the previous option, meaning you will not be able to open your bent knee.
Injuries and tears of the meniscus of the knee, and sometimes ACL ligament injuries and advanced stages of knee osteoarthritis are some of the causes associated with locked knee.
In the end, we will answer your question briefly.
How do I know if my knee pain is serious?
If your knee has one or more of the following symptoms, take your knee injury seriously:
- If your affected knee is significantly swollen compared to the healthy knee.
- You cannot stand on the injured foot.
- There is fever and fatigue with your knee pain.
- Redness and warmth around the knee.
- Existence of obvious deformities in the appearance of the knee and the alignment of the foot.
- Knee instability and sagging
- Knee lock (inability to open bent knee)