Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Swollen Knees and How To Manage Them

Does your knee appear different and larger than usual? Is the sensation of pain, killing you? Then it's no regular knee pain, you have got swelling in your knees. About 40% of swollen knee sufferers are the youngsters compared to the ones above the age of 55 years reveals Dr Narendra Reddy, MD of Sai Bhaskar Hospitals Group.

A swollen knee or knee effusion also termed as 'water on the knee' condition, is the accumulation of excess fluid in or around your knee joint and can strike anyone but is more common in those who are active in sports, overweight, or the elderly. Though usually swollen knee resolves on its own with proper time and rest, if not taken care of can weaken your thigh muscles and cause permanent joint damage.
Signs and symptoms of swollen knees  • A visible swelling of the skin around your kneecap, a noticeable puff.
• Difficulty bending/straightening your knee
• Unbearable pain when putting weight on the affected leg
Causes of swollen knees Injuries: A trauma to the knee joint can prove fatal when the knee structure gets damaged and starts to bleed. The knees swell up and fluid builds up in around the affected area accompanied by soreness and bruising. Following injuries can cause fluid accumulation: torn ligament, particularly the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), cartilage (meniscus) tear, broken bones

Diseases and conditions that can trigger the swelling in knees are; Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Infection, Gout, Pseudogout, Bursitis, Cysts, Tumors
Overuse: Walking/running more than usual can lead to inflammation and discomfort.
Risk factors Age Though swollen knee can develop no matter what gender or age you are, it is found more often in people having arthritis and increases as you age.
Sports Athletes are prone to developing swollen knees due to continuous use of knees and injuries they encounter more often.
Obesity Since knees are our weight bearers, excess weight can put stress and pressure on the knee joints contributing to the tissue and joint overload and knee degeneration.
Swollen Knees Treatments U.R.I.C.E The age-old and first treatment for any such painful conditions isUltracare , Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate. Avoid weight-bearing activities and Rest as much as possible. Ice your knee for 15-20 min several times a day. Compress the affected joint to limit swelling and keep your knees Elevated higher than the level of your heart, using pillows for comfort.
Fluid Removal: If there is no reduction in the swelling of your knees, a doctor may suggest fluid removal procedure in order to alleviate the pressure from the swollen area.
Electrotherapy: One of the best and proven non-invasive, drug-free and natural treatment for swollen knees is to opt forPhysiotherapy. The easy to operate and handy therapeutic ultrasound devices can stimulate the blood flow and the accumulated fluid on your knees without any side effects within a few sessions of it.
Conclusion Maintain a healthy weight, exercise and keep your muscles strong, don't lift excess weight or strain your knees to prevent your knees from puffing up.