Inflammation in the knee

Knee joint inflammation: cause as a guide for surgical or conservative treatment

If the knee feels hot and swollen with pain and is barely mobile, inflammation in the knee may be present due to a variety of causes. Knee inflammation should be treated promptly to avoid not only symptoms but also long-term consequences. Without treatment, complications can arise, the inflammation can take a chronic course, and scarring can limit mobility in the knee joint. We will explain the possible causes of knee inflammation and inform you about possible treatments.

With many years of experience, the team at the Orthopädie Zentrum München Ost (OZMO) will be happy to assist you personally and treat acute and chronic inflammation of the knee with state-of-the-art treatment options and a high level of expertise.

Do you need a personal consultation?

The specialists at the Orthopädie Zentrum München Ost will be happy to provide you with a medical consultation. Take advantage of our wealth of experience in the field of orthopedics and feel free to make an appointment with us!

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Table of Contents:

What is inflammation in the knee?

Symptoms of inflammation in the knee
Possible causes of inflammation in the knee

Inflammatory irritation in knee osteoarthritis
Inflammation in rheumatic diseases of the knee
Bursitis in the knee
Inflammation of the knee due to bacteria
Inflammation of the knee due to viruses

Diagnostics and therapy for inflammation in the knee

Treatment of inflammation in the knee: Orthopädie Zentrum München Ost (OZMO)

What is inflammation in the knee?

Inflammation in the knee occurs for a variety of reasons. The complex musculoskeletal system also shows diverse tissue structures in the knee, which can be irritated in case of malfunctions, by the penetration of harmful pathogens or by injuries. As a result, the organism reacts with various protective mechanisms, ranging from swelling and pain to inflammatory reactions in which pus and wound secretions are produced. If such an inflammation occurs in the knee joint or the associated tissue, it is called knee inflammation. The causes can be varied, which is why different, overlapping symptoms can also occur with inflammation in the knee.

Symptoms of inflammation in the knee

If there is pain in the knee joint, unsteadiness of gait on exertion, or swelling and heated redness on the knee, the cause of which is not immediately clear, this may indicate inflammation of the knee. Depending on the cause, symptoms range from pain on start-up, strain and movement in various degrees of severity to loss of strength, swelling to deformity and limited mobility of the knee joint. Sometimes general feelings of illness are also present, with fatigue, headache, aching limbs, fever, and/or a hot knee joint.

Possible causes of inflammation in the knee

In these cases, an experienced orthopedist can not only determine the type of knee inflammation and its causes from the symptoms, but also promptly initiate appropriate treatments that will cure the symptoms and joint inflammation in the knee in the long term.

The most common causes of inflammation in the knee include.

Inflammatory irritation in knee osteoarthritis
Inflammation in rheumatic diseases of the knee
Inflammation of the knee due to viruses
Inflammation of the knee due to bacteria
Bursitis in the knee

Inflammatory irritation in knee osteoarthritis

If the complaints begin insidiously with strain and movement, there may be inflammation of the synovial membrane. This often arises in connection with knee osteoarthritis, which as a degenerative joint disease should be prevented from progressing. In most cases, the inflammation is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and rest. Subsequently, treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee should definitely take place or be continued.

Inflammation in rheumatic diseases of the knee

Rheumatism is a disease in which the immune system perceives the body’s own tissue as a foreign body and attacks the tissue. As a result, symptoms such as morning stiffness, lack of strength and painful swelling in the knee develop. A general feeling of illness may also occur during a rheumatic episode.

Therapy for rheumatoid inflammation of the knee is usually by treating the infection with medication followed by or after physiotherapy.

Bursitis in the knee

The bursa is a soft tissue that protects against stress in many joints. If a joint is chronically or acutely overloaded, irritation of the bursa and resulting inflammation can occur. Bursitis is treated primarily by sparing to relieve the massive pain and rubbing sensation from effusions and swelling at the knee joint. If necessary, anti-inflammatory drugs, for example with cortisone, are used.

Inflammation of the knee due to bacteria

If bacteria are the cause of inflammation of the knee, there is usually an injury to the joint or surrounding tissue. In many cases, the inflammation usually presents with serious swelling and deformity, redness and heat in the knee area, limited mobility and severe pain. General complaints such as fever and chills are also common. Bacterial inflammation in the knee is usually treated with an appropriate antibiotic to prevent the bacteria from spreading and causing sepsis (blood poisoning). Cooling is also considered an effective measure.

Inflammation of the knee due to viruses

If there is a viral infection causing inflammation in the knee, this is accompanied by severe joint pain, but also general symptoms such as fatigue, fever, and headache and aching limbs. Viruses frequently affect the synovium, where they can lead to complications. Extensive rest of the joint and careful curing of the viral infection can be helpful in this knee inflammation, as can anti-inflammatory medication.

Diagnostics and therapy for inflammation in the knee

In the first step, the orthopedic specialist undertakes a detailed examination of the knee joint and, if necessary, of the patient’s body. By means of various findings and further examinations with imaging procedures (e.g. magnetic resonance imaging/MRI, computer tomography/CT or X-ray and ultrasound), initial indications of the cause of the knee inflammation are secured and ultimately a diagnosis is made. Then the focus of therapy is on pain relief and inhibition of inflammation in the knee.

If there is a pre-existing condition such as osteoarthritis of the knee, treatment of the inflammation must be followed by further treatment of the original condition. Likewise, other diseases that have been identified as the cause of the inflammation in the knee are treated in the long term in order to prevent the recurrence of the knee inflammation as best as possible. If the continuing treatment of the original disease is not treated, not only is the inflammation likely to recur ever so frequently, but irreversible defects may also develop in the knee joint, i.e. defects that can no longer be repaired.

Treatment of inflammation in the knee: Orthopädie Zentrum München Ost (OZMO)

If you have inflammation in the knee or recurrent pain and swelling in the knee joint, not only the acute inflammation but also the underlying disease should be treated specifically and efficiently. Otherwise, if left untreated, inflammation in the knee will lead to permanent movement restrictions and even destruction of the knee joint. This is especially difficult and a restriction on quality of life because the knee joint is one of the weight-bearing joints in the musculoskeletal system.

At the Orthopaedic Center Munich East, our experienced team of orthopaedic surgeons is at your side to ensure that you always receive the most suitable treatment for every form of illness and injury to the musculoskeletal system for all age groups. Call or write us to make an appointment. We are happy to help you with the acute diagnosis and treatment of inflammation of the knee or are available with advice and day for chronic knee complaints to bring back mobility and freedom from pain. Our practice team looks forward to hearing from you for your appointment for acute and chronic inflammation of the knee.

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