Therapy
The treatment for burning in the knee depends on the causative disease. It is advisable to rest and elevate the affected leg for any cause of acute inflammation. In addition, the affected area should be carefully cooled.
This stops the inflammation process and the redness, swelling and pain are reduced. This treatment is usually sufficient for slight complaints of the knee caused by one-time overloading. Even an inflammation of the bursa usually heals quickly when immobilised.
In addition, if symptoms persist, medication can be taken to relieve the pain and inhibit the inflammation. Here, for example, ibuprofen or diclofenac are used. Pre-existing conditions such as gout, arthrosis or rheumatism should also be treated causally with appropriate therapy.
With arthrosis, weight reduction leads to relief of the knee. Sporting activity also promotes healing and can reduce the pain in the knee. In pronounced stages of arthrosis, it may be necessary to administer painkillers directly into the joint by means of an injection or an operation. If the pain continues to increase, this may also be due to the fact that the affected area has become infected with bacteria. In this case, these bacteria must be combated and killed with an antibiotic.
Diagnosis
For the diagnosis of knee burn, the discussion with the doctor is of great importance. Through specific questioning, possible causes can already be narrowed down very precisely. Here, the doctor will ask about the exact complaints and accompanying symptoms.
Accidents that have occurred, heavy strain, medications taken and previous illnesses are also important for the diagnosis. In addition, the doctor will look at the knee in question and pay attention to redness, swelling and malpositioning. For further diagnosis, an X-ray can be taken if arthrosis is suspected.
If the ligaments of the knee are injured, an MRI examination is performed. Here too, however, the discussion with the doctor and the patient’s symptoms are the main focus of the diagnosis.