It’s worrying when one knee swells up but the other one stays the same. A illness that affects the whole body, like arthritis, is usually to blame for swelling in both knees. If only one knee swells, it’s usually a symptom of a problem in that area. If you know what’s making your knee swell, you can decide if you need to see a doctor.
- Injury or trauma
The most common cause of swelling in just one knee is trauma or overuse. You might not even remember when you got harmed, especially if it happened over and over again. Here are some things that could go wrong: Tear or strain of the MCL or ACL ligament
Meniscus
Patella that has come out of place
A bruise or a broken bone
In these cases, swelling normally happens within a few hours and may be accompanied by pain, stiffness, or the impression that the joint is unstable.
2.Bursitis
Bursae are little fluid-filled sacs that protect the knee. If you get angry because of stress, an injury, or kneeling for a long time, you could get prepatellar bursitis, sometimes known as “housemaid’s knee.” This usually only happens to one knee and makes the front of it swell.
3.Infection
Septic arthritis, also called a joint infection, is an extremely serious disease that can make one knee swell, become red, feel hot, and hurt a lot in a short amount of time. A doctor has to see you straight soon if you have a fever or chills. You might have to undergo a joint aspiration to get rid of the fluid that is contaminated.
4.Gout or Pseudogout
Uric acid crystals cause gout, which is a type of arthritis. It could be gout if the swelling happens quickly and hurts a lot. Pseudogout, which has calcium crystals in it, can cause the same problems. These issues normally only happen in one joint at a time, and they may come back every so often.
5.Localized osteoarthritis
Over time, osteoarthritis normally affects both knees, but it may start in just one knee, especially if that knee has been damaged before or has more weight on it. The swelling could be small to moderate and get worse when you move about.
6.Cyst of the Baker
A Baker’s cyst is a lump full of fluid that occurs near the back of the knee. Arthritis and damaged cartilage are two common reasons. It could make one knee feel tight or swollen, especially when you bend or straighten the leg.
7.A blood clot or an issue with blood flow
Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in the leg that can make the knee area enlarge, especially if it is also causing calf edema, warmth, or pain. It needs to be taken care of right now because it’s a medical emergency.
When to See a Doctor
You should see a doctor if you have any of the following: The swelling came on quickly, is quite bad, or accompanied accompanying a fever.
You touch the knee and it hurts, is hot, or is red.
You can’t walk or bend your knee.
The swelling doesn’t go down after a few days.
Final Thoughts
It’s not always a reason to panic if one knee swells, but you should absolutely pay attention to it. There are a lot of possible reasons, from little injuries to more serious joint diseases or infections. Getting the appropriate diagnosis is the first step to getting better and keeping your knees healthy for a long time.
