The knee and, more narrowly, the knee joint is the largest joint in the human body. It is subjected to the most stress and so pain can occur in the knee region again and again. There are different causes that can cause pain, one of them is an inflammation in the knee. If this inflammation affects the joint, it is called arthritis. As a result of an inflammation in the knee, both mobility and function may be restricted and treatment may be necessary.
Causes
The reasons for an inflammation in the knee can be of various origins such as rheumatic, infectious, degenerative or traumatic nature. Rheumatoid inflammation of the knee is the result of a chronic process. It is based on a misdirection of the own immune system and belongs to the group of autoimmune diseases.
It is a systemic disease and usually affects the whole body. The immune system attacks the body’s own structures, such as the cartilage or other parts of the joint, which leads to a painful reaction and can irreversibly damage the joint as it progresses. Gradually, the cartilage or other parts of the joint are destroyed, which leads to deviations in shape and axis and can thus result in a restriction of movement.
On the other hand, there is the infection-related inflammation in the knee. The causes of this can be microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses or fungi. They can enter the knee either via the bloodstream or through an operation.
In this case, too, the inflammatory processes in the joint can lead to irreversible damage and thus to impaired function. In addition, the cause of the joint inflammation can be an accident or injury to the knee. One speaks of a post-traumatic inflammation if germs have been carried into the knee joint in this way and cause an inflammation.
Symptoms
Furthermore, signs of wear and tear can lead to a constant inflammatory irritation of the joint, which can also lead to an inflammation in the knee. The pathogenesis is due to a process in which proinflammatory (inflammation-promoting) cytokines and mediators are released. This is followed by increased blood flow to the tissue, resulting in the formation of edema, which explains the symptoms.
Regardless of the cause of the inflammation in the knee, the symptoms are classic signs of inflammation, such as redness, swelling, overheating and pain with functional limitations in the knee. These signs of inflammation are particularly pronounced in infection-related arthritis, which is caused by bacteria. The joint may also exhibit stiffness. Other symptoms can be of a general nature, such as fatigue and fever.
