Dr Burke
Recognizing Knee Pain Symptoms
People feel occasional aches and pains. The body and all its joints may suffer from time to time, but what are abnormal symptoms? Some soreness after a workout or physical activity is expected. However, is popping and swelling in the knees a normal symptom too? There are some signs and types of pain that start small. If these knee pain symptoms continue, consider further answers for an accurate diagnosis.
The knee joint is known to have the following symptoms:
• Burning and grinding pain
• Numbness or tingling that runs through the knees
• Popping sounds whenever the knee bends
• Stiffness and locking knees
• Swelling all around the knee
Burning Knee Pain
The knees may suffer from internal burning pain. Some people may even say their knees feel like “they’re on fire.” Even after walking for short periods of time, the knees may be in pain from constant rubbing and grinding motions. Burning knee pain can be an early sign of arthritis, synovitis, loose cartilage or limb malalignments.
Knees Go Numb
Instead of being in chronic pain, another symptom is numbness in or around the knee joint. Numbness is one condition that people ignore since it may not have serious pain at first. Numb knees could be a sign of a major ligament tear. ACL and other ligament tears usually start due to major trauma or a hard hit to the knee.
Knees Start Popping
Again, this symptom may not have initial pain, but it has pops and cracks coming from the knee. People may crack their knuckles or back from time to time. The knees should not be popping and cracking every time a person stands, though. Audible sounds from the knee may be a symptom of breaks or fractures. The patella, femur or tibia can all produce a popping noise if these bones are struck hard enough.
Stiff Knee Pain
After sitting or standing, people may notice their knees go stiff. The stiffness may go away after walking around or stretching, but stiff knees can turn into a painful condition. If knees continue to lock, it may be more difficult and more painful to stretch the joint. Tendon ruptures, arthritis, limb malalignments and osteochondral defects all have symptoms of locking and stiff knees.
Swollen Knee Pain
Lastly, one of the most painful and common symptoms of joint pain is swelling. Swelling can cover the entire knee and limit a person’s mobility. The swelling knee pain comes from internal bleeding of the knee. Some activity or conditions cause the knee to bleed internally. The most common orthopedic conditions related to knee swelling is arthritis, synovitis, dislocations and fractures.
If you are experiencing any of these knee pain symptoms, see a professional who can help with the knee pain relief. Care for your knees immediately. Ignoring the problem and chronic knee pain can lead to a worse diagnosis. An expert in orthopedics can correctly diagnosis the condition that may be causing your knee pain symptoms.
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