Symptoms
A swelling of the knee joint can cause different symptoms depending on its severity. The swelling is often already visible in the knee joint. The knee can also be sensitive to pressure and can cause pain when under stress.
When palpating the knee, it may feel very soft under the swelling. This can often be an indication of water stored in the joint space. If an inflammation is present, redness, fever and overheating can occur in addition to the swelling.
If the knee is bent, the patient may feel a blockage or rubbing of cartilage surfaces lying on top of each other within the knee joint. If the joint is injured, there may also be a bruise (hematoma), as blood has flowed into the joint space and surrounding tissue. A swelling of the joint in the knee can cause pain.
The pain can be of different character.On the one hand, the pain can be permanent, or on the other hand, it can only occur under stress or pressure. The type of pain can be throbbing and stabbing, especially in the case of inflammation. The pain can also be caused by an increased accumulation of fluid in the form of blood or joint fluid in the joint space.
If there are injuries to bony structures, the ligaments such as the cruciate ligament or meniscus or the tendons of the attaching muscles, this can also cause considerable pain. If the knee is worn out or a rheumatic disease is present, the increasing abrasion of the cartilaginous surfaces can cause discomfort that becomes worse, especially under stress. A swelling of the knee joint can also be asymptomatic and does not cause the patient any pain.
Swelling of other joints can then also be an indication of a rheumatoid disease. But inflammations can also occur without pain. Especially if they are in the initial phase, there is no pain yet.
If the swellings remain, the patient should consult a doctor even if they do not cause any pain. In some cases, the accumulation of water in the knee joint can be responsible for a visible swelling. In medical terminology, this is called effusion.
The entire joint is swollen and feels soft but fluid-filled. Often in this case, the kneecap can be shifted much more to the side and it can be dented more often. This is often a sign of water in the knee.
The water may have been caused by an inflammatory process. In the case of an inflammation, increased local cells of the immune system are washed up and fluid accumulates in the joint space. The joint capsule produces more joint fluid.
Thus, bacterial infections or rheumatoid arthritis can be considered as causes. Furthermore, this can also be caused by injuries to the bones or ligaments due to pre-sports accidents, accidents or overloading. Often it is then a bloody effusion.
In addition to the effusion, other complaints such as pain and sensitivity to pressure as well as restricted movement can occur. The doctor will then examine the affected joint and thoroughly palpate the swelling. During this process, he will examine whether there is any fluid in the joint, whether it is painful under pressure and whether the knee joint feels overheated.
He can also move the knee joint in all possible directions. In this way, the physician checks to what extent the joint is restricted in its function. The knee joint is moved in all directions, which simultaneously checks the mobility of the ligaments, especially the cruciate ligaments and menisci.
At the same time, the physician checks to see whether the stress on the knee causes the patient pain. If the physician needs further information to make a diagnosis, he or she can also examine the blood or use imaging techniques such as x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging. In the blood, certain parameters can indicate an inflammation, and by means of the X-rays, injuries to bones, ligaments and tendons can be specifically detected or even ruled out.