Are amount and location of knee pain good indicators of what is wrong?
7 min read
Asked by: Rebecca Barnes
How do you know if knee pain is arthritis or something else?
See your healthcare provider if you have pain, swelling or stiffness in your knees. Look for other symptoms such as warm and red skin and buckling or locking of the knee joint. You might have arthritis of the knee.
Where do you feel pain with arthritis in the knee?
The pain can be felt all around your knee, or just in a certain place such as the front and sides. It might feel worse after moving your knee in a particular way, such as going up or down stairs. Sometimes, people have pain that wakes them up in the night.
What kind of knee pain should I worry about?
Make an appointment with your doctor if your knee pain was caused by a particularly forceful impact or if it’s accompanied by: Significant swelling. Redness. Tenderness and warmth around the joint.
How do I know if my knee pain is serious?
Call your doctor if you:
- Can’t bear weight on your knee or feel as if your knee is unstable or gives out.
- Have marked knee swelling.
- Are unable to fully extend or flex your knee.
- See an obvious deformity in your leg or knee.
- Have a fever, in addition to redness, pain and swelling in your knee.
What does osteoarthritis in the knee feel like?
Your knee feels stiff, particularly when you first get up or when you’ve been sitting for a long time. Your knee looks swollen or feels puffy. You hear a cracking or grinding noise when you move your knee. Your knee feels wobbly, as if it could buckle or “give out.”
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee?
Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Pain. Affected joints might hurt during or after movement.
- Stiffness. Joint stiffness might be most noticeable upon awakening or after being inactive.
- Tenderness. …
- Loss of flexibility. …
- Grating sensation. …
- Bone spurs. …
- Swelling.
What are the 4 stages of osteoarthritis knee?
Here is a look at the stages of osteoarthritis of the knee ranging from normal, minor, mild, moderate and severe stages, with appropriate treatment plans.
How long should knee pain last before seeing a doctor?
Generally, athletes should see a healthcare provider for pain lasting more than 48 hours and other adults should see an expert if there seems to be no change for three weeks. Generally, most healthcare providers recommend that you schedule an appointment as soon as you notice that your symptoms impact the way you live.
What is the most common reason for knee pain?
The most common causes of knee pain are related to aging, injury or repeated stress on the knee. Common knee problems include sprained or strained ligaments, cartilage tears, tendonitis and arthritis.
What does a dull ache in the knee mean?
Aching knees can be caused by damage to knee cartilage, ligaments, tendons, or other muscle tissues. The most common cause of achy knee pain include a meniscal injury, patellofemoral pain syndrome, or runner’s knee. Read on for more information on causes and treatment options.
How do I know if I tore my meniscus?
Symptoms
- A popping sensation.
- Swelling or stiffness.
- Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee.
- Difficulty straightening your knee fully.
- Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it.
- Feeling of your knee giving way.
Does a torn meniscus hurt?
Is a torn meniscus painful? Well, that depends. Common torn meniscus symptoms do include pain, stiffness, and localized swelling. Pain symptoms may be more noticeable when the knee with the torn meniscus is rotated or has weight put on it.
Where is meniscus tear pain located?
Initial symptoms of a torn meniscus include well-localized pain and swelling in the knee. The pain is usually either on the inner or outer side of the knee, not around the kneecap.
What does a torn meniscus in the knee feel like?
Symptoms of a meniscus tear may be different for each person, but some of the most common symptoms are: Pain in the knee joint: usually on the inside (medial), outside (lateral) or back of the knee. Swelling. Catching or locking of the knee joint.
Where is meniscus pain?
Pain is usually felt in the knee above the meniscus while bearing weight on the affected knee and/or when twisting, turning, or pivoting on the knee, such as while getting in and out of a car. Walking up or down stairs may be particularly painful, and may also cause increased swelling in the knee.
Does a torn meniscus hurt at night?
The most common problem caused by a torn meniscus is pain. This can be very severe with a combination of an ache and also sharper pains. The pain can be very bad at night. In the majority of cases it improves over six weeks and is much better at three months, although may last longer.
What happens if you leave a torn meniscus untreated?
An untreated meniscus tear can result in the frayed edge getting caught in the joint, causing pain and swelling. It can also result in long term knee problems such as arthritis and other soft tissue damage.
How long does it take for a torn meniscus to heal without surgery?
Meniscus tears are the most frequently treated knee injuries. Recovery will take about 6 to 8 weeks if your meniscus tear is treated conservatively, without surgery. If your symptoms persist after 3 months or your symptoms become significant, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the tear.
What does a small meniscus tear feel like?
Individuals with a meniscus tear often complain of pain along the joint line. They often have pain or weakness with bending the knee and sometimes they have a catching or locking sensation. With an acute tear, individuals may notice a lot of swelling in the knee and often report that they heard or felt a pop.
Will a compression sleeve help a torn meniscus?
While compression sleeves don’t offer much in terms of support or protection for your meniscus, they do provide compression which can reduce pain and swelling in your knee. It may also improve the joint position sense in your knee, helping you improve your balance and reducing the risk of injuries while running.
Will wearing a brace help a torn meniscus?
Wearing a brace can help limit the stress placed on your meniscus while it heals and protect you from re-injury. As a result, you can be more physically active throughout your recovery and get back to doing what you love sooner.
Will a cortisone shot help a torn meniscus?
A cortisone injection can effectively reduce pain and inflammation in your knee, as in the case of a torn meniscus. It’s only a temporary solution to your pain, though. It can’t heal your meniscus and may even delay your healing. It also can’t prevent you from injuring it again in the future.
Can a torn meniscus heal itself?
In the case of meniscus tears, some people think the injury will heal over time on its own. But the truth is that there are different types of meniscus tears — and some tears won’t heal without treatment. If your tear is on the outer one-third of the meniscus, it may heal on its own or be repaired surgically.
How do you sleep with a torn meniscus?
3 Tips for Better Sleep After Meniscus Surgery
- Keep your bandages clean and dry. Before you go to bed, check the dressing around the surgery site to make sure everything is copacetic. …
- Sleep on your back with the leg slightly elevated. …
- Roll over to the “good leg” side. …
- Try breathing exercises to help relax.
How do you self diagnose a torn meniscus?
To test for a lateral meniscus tear (on the outer side of the knee), you’ll be asked to turn your toes inward as far as your knees can rotate. You’ll then squat and slowly stand up. A click or pain can indicate a meniscus tear.
Can you bend your knee if you have a torn meniscus?
You can fully bend and straighten your knee without pain. You feel no pain in your knee when you walk, jog, sprint, or jump. Your knee is no longer swollen. Your injured knee is as strong as your uninjured knee.
