Knee injuries are one of the most common types of injuries out there, especially in athletes. With most knee injuries, there can be some type of swelling in the knee, so it can be hard to determine what the exact cause is without seeing a doctor. However, if your knee is swollen, one of these common conditions might be to blame:
Injuries or Traumas that Cause Swelling
One of the most common causes of swollen knees is an injury. Playing sports, being involved in a car accident or any other kind of trauma could cause this. There are a number of different traumatic and sports-related injuries that may cause a swollen knee:
Bursitis: Your knee joint contains fluid filled sacs that cushion the bones, ligaments and muscles known as bursa. When the bursa becomes inflamed due to overuse, it causes pain and swelling in the joint.
Ligament Tear: When you overstretch or overwork your ligaments, they can partially or fully tear. This often occurs while playing sports or after an accident, and can be extremely painful.
Dislocated Kneecap: Direct traumas to the knee can cause your knee’s patella (kneecap) to move out of place, becoming dislocated. This causes pain, swelling and tenderness and often makes the leg appear deformed or bent out of shape.
Diseases That Cause Swelling
Not all swollen knees are caused by traumatic injuries. In fact, many swollen knees are simply symptoms of hereditary diseases or other medical conditions. Here are just some of the possible non-injury causes of a swollen knee:
Arthritis: There are several different types of arthritis that may cause a swollen knee. For many people, arthritis is simply a part of growing older, however, there are treatment options to help with both pain and swelling.
Gout: Gout is a complex form of arthritis that often happens suddenly, without any prior warning. Those who suffer from gout experience joint tenderness and redness in addition to swelling.
