Arthritis of the knee causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. Osteoarthritis is the most common type. Treatments help relieve symptoms. A healthy immune system causes inflammation (internal or external) when it’s trying to protect you from an infection, injury, toxin, or another foreign invader.
Over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve), may help ease knee pain. Some people find relief by rubbing the affected knee with creams containing a numbing agent, such as lidocaine or capsaicin, the substance that makes chili peppers hot. Rest is also essential.
Realigning bones can be an effective treatment. If osteoarthritis has damaged one side of your knee more than the other, an osteotomy might be helpful. In a knee osteotomy, a surgeon cuts across the bone either above or below the knee and then removes or adds a wedge of bone. This shifts your body weight away from the worn-out part of your knee.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue in several joints of the body, including the knee. It causes inflammation of the synovial membrane, the capsule surrounding the knee joint. Inflammatory cells release substances that break down knee cartilage over time.
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. Pain, swelling, and stiffness are the primary symptoms of arthritis. Any joint in the body may be affected by the disease, but it is particularly common in the knee. Knee arthritis can make it hard to do many everyday activities, such as walking or climbing stairs.
Treating the underlying cause of a swollen knee might require arthrocentesis. Removing fluid from the knee can help relieve pressure on the joint. After removing some of the joint fluid, your doctor might inject a corticosteroid into the joint to treat inflammation. Arthroscopy may also be considered.
Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. It may be the result of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Medical conditions, including arthritis, gout, and infections, can also cause knee pain. Many types of minor knee pain respond well to self-care measures.
Factors that may increase your risk of a swollen knee include age, sports activities, and obesity. Your likelihood of developing a swollen knee related to arthritis increases as you age. People who participate in sports that involve twisting the knee, such as basketball, are more likely to experience the types of knee injuries that cause swelling.
For more information on knee arthritis and its treatment, visit Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and OrthoInfo – AAOS.
