A common issue in all people from elite athletes to the typical American is swelling of the knee. In general, swelling of any joint is a bad sign, but a lot of the severity is decided when we look at how long it has been swelling, and try to determine if it started after an injury.
How to Determine If Your Knee Pain is Severe
In a more experienced person with a history of knee trouble for years with possibly an injury several years ago, their knee will swell from time to time. This is most often due to osteoarthritis or “wear-and-tear” on the joint due to issues with lubrication and shock absorbing structures in the joint. Sometimes a wrong step of a twist can make the knee get very swollen and painful.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Chronic Knee Swelling
A great treatment initially is to ice the knee for 15-20 minutes as often as possible to relief the swelling and stiffness. This will also allow more blood to the joint so the healing can begin. If severe enough, a knee of this type may need to be drained and potentially injected with steroid to provide relief if the pain is severe enough.
Physical therapy is key in this type of knee as the best treatment for wear and tear is strengthening the supporting muscles of the knee to optimize function. Also, if needed the lubricating fluid of the knee (called synovial fluid) can be bolstered with a series of injections prior to the need to do a knee replacement in the future if required.
Struggling to be active with chronic knee pain? Schedule an appointment with Dr. McHugh by calling his office in Western Branch at (757) 686-5673!
About Dr. Jason McHugh
Jason M. McHugh, DO, CAQSM is board certified in Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulation with a Certificate of Added Qualification in Primary Care Sports Medicine from the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. He received his bachelor of science in biology from the University of Michigan in Flint, Mich. He earned a doctoral degree in osteopathic medicine from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, Mich., and completed a residency in family medicine at the Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc, Mich. Dr. McHugh did his fellowship in primary care sports medicine at Michigan State University/Sparrow Hospital in East Lansing.
He currently serves as a medical director for Bon Secours Sports Medicine and In Motion Physical Therapy and Sports Performance. His duties include providing care and event coverage to local high school athletes as well as providing medical coverage and oversight to local mass participation events in the Hampton Roads area.