One of the most important joints that allows us to move is the knee, which is a complex system of muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and cartilage. The force of an impact placed on the knee every time we move means that it is prone to injury at any time. Minor knee discomfort or pain may go away on its own without the need for diagnosis and treatment, but for many, they will require more assistance. If you aren’t sure whether it’s time to visit an orthopedic doctor about your knee pain, here are some signs that you probably should:
Swelling
Swelling of the knee is not normal, and can be a symptom that there is an injured ligament, fracture, infection, or torn tendon. All of these problems require prompt medical attention, so no one should ever ignore swelling of their knee. Your knee doctor can assess the area and drain the fluid that is causing the swelling in the knee if needed. Your knee doctor may then test the flute to see what may be causing the issue in the first place.
Severe Pain
Pain is the body’s way of telling us that something is not right. And knee pain in particular can be annoying and disruptive, especially because it can prevent us from engaging in the activities we enjoy. For some people, they may miss out on hobbies and getting together with loved ones because they are afraid of aggravating their knee further. If you have skipped out on good times and fun because of your knee pain, then you should probably see an orthopedic doctor.
Sudden Fever
If you have knee pain along with a fever, there may be an infection within the knee that needs to be addressed quickly. Without treatment, an infection that can lead to damage of bodily tissues that is not reversible. If there is a pathogen present, it might spread to other parts of the body, potentially risking your life and health.
Sometimes knee pain develops suddenly, and other times it is the cause of wear overtime. Either way, as an orthopedic knee doctor, like one from Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania, would agree, it’s important to visit a doctor if needed so that your knee health can be improved and protected from more damage.