This helps drain excess fluid from the joint and reduces blood flow to it. When the person is resting, their swollen knee should lie above the level of their heart. The wrapped bandage should be firm but not tight. Opt for a wider bandage, which provides more pressure without cutting off circulation. This can help prevent or reduce swelling. Using a compression bandage or sleeve keeps fluid from collecting in and around the joint. Instead, place it in a sealable plastic bag, then wrap the sealed bag in a clean towel or cloth before applying it to the skin. It causes the blood vessels near the joint to constrict, decreasing blood flow and inflammation.ĭo not apply ice directly to the skin, as this can cause burns. Applying iceĪpplying ice to the knee, for 15–20 minutes at a time, can reduce swelling. However, gently stretching and straightening the knee from time to time will keep it flexible as it heals. It is particularly important to avoid any weight-bearing exercises, which may worsen a knee injury. The following factors can increase the risk of septic arthritis:Īlso, a person who has had septic arthritis in the past has an increased risk of the issue returning.īelow are some techniques for reducing the swelling at home: RestingĪvoid any activity that may have caused the knee to swell. The infecting pathogen may enter the knee joint through a wound, or the infection may spread from another part of the body. The infection may be viral, fungal, or bacterial, but the most common culprit is Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria. This is an emergency, and it requires urgent surgery. A doctor might refer to it as septic arthritis. Arthritis from an infectionĪn infection can occur in the fluid or tissues of the joints. It can lead to pain, visible swelling, and a reduced range of motion in the knee. In the knee, this can cause the synovial membrane lining the joint to swell. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues, including cartilage and bone. Osteoarthritis is more common in people older than 50, and it tends to occur more often in females. the development of growths called bone spurs.instability or buckling of the knee joint.weakness of the muscles around the joint.clicking or cracking when bending or extending the joint.Over time, this causes the bones to rub together. In the knee, it can cause the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones that make up the knee joint to degenerate. Osteoarthritis is degenerative, it causes the cartilage of a joint to gradually wear away. Two that commonly affect the knees are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. There are more than 100 types of arthritis. pain that typically occurs during or following activityĪrthritis causes inflammation of one or more joints.rapid swelling of the front of the knee.continual pressure on the front of the knee, possibly caused by frequent kneeling.Prepatellar bursitis is the medical term for swelling of the kneecap’s bursae. They can become inflamed and produce excess fluid, leading to swelling of the joint. The bursae are fluid-filled sacs that help reduce friction within a joint. Tendinitis of the knee can be due to overuse of the knee joint, typically from activities such as running, jumping, and cycling. Tendinitis: This is inflammation of a tendon.Sudden twisting of the knee can result in a torn meniscus. They help prevent friction between the bones that make up the knee. Torn cartilage: The menisci are a pair of crescent-shaped pads of cartilage that sit inside each knee joint.Knee strains can occur following sudden movement or twisting of the knee. Tendons are bands of fibrous tissue that connect muscles to bones. A strain: This is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon.Knee sprains might result from a forceful impact or twisting of the knee. Ligaments are bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones to other bones. A sprain: This is a stretched or torn ligament.Image credit: Suwannee Ngoenklan/ShutterstockĪ range of issues can cause swelling in the knee, including: InjuryĪny of the following might result in a swollen knee: Share on Pinterest Resting and applying ice are common ways to reduce swelling in the knee, which may occur for a variety of reasons.
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