Knee joint inflammation | Knee Joint

Knee joint inflammation

Inflammation of the knee joint can have various causes. For example, it can be caused by an injury, by wear and tear processes (degeneration), by an autoimmune disease or by an infection with pathogens. Ultimately, an inflammatory reaction occurs in the knee joint, which manifests itself through swelling, overheating, redness and pain.

As a result, the function of the knee joint is often significantly restricted. Particularly in the case of bacterial infections of the knee, symptoms such as a general feeling of illness and fever can be added. To determine the exact cause of the knee joint inflammation, the joint effusion can be punctured.

In this procedure, the fluid is withdrawn from the knee joint with a cannula and can then be examined for possible pathogens. The problem with an inflammation of the knee joint is that it can cause permanent damage to the joint. The inflammatory reaction attacks the cartilage in particular.

If the damage has progressed so far that painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs can no longer provide relief and other joint-preserving measures do not bring about any improvement, the replacement of the knee joint with a prosthesis must be considered. For this reason, knee pain that persists over a longer period of time should always be clarified by a doctor. In this way, a suitable therapy can be initiated at an early stage and long-term damage can be avoided.

Knee joint bursa

Bursa sacs serve to cushion mechanical stress and improve the gliding ability of tendons and ligaments. There are several bursa sacs in the knee area, since the knee is subjected to heavy daily stress and can thus be relieved. A large bursa (bursa praepatellaris) is located between the kneecap and the skin above it.

It serves to lubricate the skin on the patella when the knee is bent. The bursa suprapatellaris is also called recessus suprapatellaris. It is another bursa located between the lower end of the femur and the quadriceps tendon.

This allows the tendon to glide smoothly over the bone when the knee is flexed. Finally, the bursa infrapatellaris is located under the patellar tendon and allows it to slide over the tibia when the knee is flexed. The bursa can become inflamed as a result of injury, wear and tear or infection with bacteria, viruses or fungi, and can lead to painful joint swelling with redness, overheating and impaired function. If symptoms indicate bursitis, a doctor should be consulted to avoid possible consequential damage to the joint.