Knee Pain – Causes and Symptoms

Knee PainSwivel, bend, slide, glide. If you were keeping track of your knee movements all day, this is probably the pat­tern you would find. Your knee joint is the largest joint in your body and probably the most complex. With all our modern technology, no machine can come close to doing all the amazing things it does. Unfortunately, just like a machine, your knees can gradually break down after years of use. They also can be easily injured. The result — pain, swelling, stiffness, and an end to many of your favorite activities.

It's time to see your doctor if you have knee pain and:

    You’ve injured your knee within the past 24 hours
  1. Your knee is misshapen
  2. You're unable to move or put weight on it

It's possible you have a fracture, dislocation, or serious injury. Get medical treatment at once.

  1. Redness, tenderness, and swelling
  2. Pain that usually occurs at night and becomes so severe you can't get relief

These are the symptoms of gout, a form of acute arthritis marked by inflammation of the joints. It usually begins in the knee or foot and is caused by too much uric acid in the blood, which forms crys­tals in the joints. Attacks usually last about a week.

  1. Tenderness and limited movement
  2. Worse pain when knee is bent
  3. Fever (sometimes)

This could indicate bursitis, an inflammation of the soft tissue around your knee joint. Rest, along with aspirin or aspirin substitute, should clear up the problem in a few weeks. If the pain persists, see your doctor.

  1. Fever and chills

You may have an infection that needs immediate medical care. Lyme disease is one example of a bacterial infection that inflames the joints, often the knee.

  1. A locked-up joint

Sometimes, even minor twisting can tear your car­tilage and cause pain. Athletes often suffer this type of injury. If your knee locks up so you can't fully straighten or bend it, or "gives way," you need to see your doctor.

  1. Morning joint stiffness
  2. Limited movement and dexterity

This could mean osteoarthritis, a condition where the cartilage in your joints gradually breaks down. Usually, you will feel an aching pain when you move or put weight on your joints.