Swollen knees are an occasion to think about the state of your he alth and make an appointment with a doctor. This sign may indicate the presence of various diseases - from arthritis to bursitis.
Anatomy
Before we figure out why the knees swell, let's remember how they work. The knee joint is covered on all sides by the articular bag, which, in turn, consists of an outer and inner shell. There are peculiar mucous formations on the outer shell - they help reduce friction (since all the moving parts of the human skeleton are in constant interaction with each other).
These slimy "sacs" are filled with liquid and act as shock absorbers: they are located between rubbing surfaces, minimizing the risk of damage to each other.
Edema
According to doctors, the vast majority of joint diseases are accompanied by edema. Thus, swollen knees are a sign of a serious problem. Edema can be invisible to the prying eye, and can reach very large sizes. Often it is accompanied by aching pain, general weakness and a characteristic creak that occurs during movement. In especially advanced casesit becomes difficult for a person to perform some physical exercises (sit down, go down and climb stairs) and even just walk. Some patients complain that swollen knees react to weather changes.
Possible causes
Among the most common causes of swelling, doctors call bursitis. This disease is characterized by inflammation of the mucous bags. Typical symptoms of bursitis are swelling and swelling in the affected knee area. The skin on the affected area changes color from pale pink to scarlet. Most often, inflammation is caused by excessive physical exertion. The problem is that the joint bags can flatten out and gradually become inflamed. This provokes the production of excess fluid. These excesses simply do not have time to be absorbed back, as a result - the bag increases in size, the joint swells, the person experiences severe pain.
Treatment
If swollen knees are due to bursitis, you should immediately consult a specialist and begin treatment. Are you unable to do so for any reason? Then wear fixative bandages and take anti-inflammatory drugs. For a while, this will remove unpleasant symptoms. However, see a doctor as soon as you can.
Arthritis
A common cause of swelling is arthritis. This disease, as a rule, develops against the background of infections and previous injuries. It should be noted that arthritis requires long-term and complex treatment, the main goal of which isis to improve the metabolic processes in the body.
Injuries
Of course, most of the above diseases are observed in people in old age. If a child has a swollen knee, most likely the cause is an injury. Perhaps the baby fell, hit or sprained the leg. Apply ice to the swelling and it will disappear pretty soon.
