The fact is that almost everyone will ultimately face knee problems of some kind, and most athletes may occasionally feel knee pain. Therefore, it might be challenging to predict whether the painful symptoms in your knee will go away on their own.
Here are six warning symptoms that should prompt a visit to the doctor and might point to a more severe knee issue:
1. Your symptoms are persistent
Most doctors advise using the RICE method at home to treat injuries including bruises and knee sprains. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Pain and discomfort can also be treated with over-the-counter drugs. However, if after a couple of weeks you discover that this approach isn't improving your pain and symptoms, a trip to the doctor is definitely necessary. Without medical attention, a torn meniscus, damaged cartilage, or even a torn muscle might become the cause of serious knee pain that isn't going away.
2. Your knee lacks stability
Ligament damage is frequently indicated by knee instability or the sensation that your knee will give way under pressure. The structures that link the bones of the knee, known as the knee ligaments, can sustain injuries, which can result in the bones not being kept firmly enough in place. Instability is one of the most blatant warning indications that they have been stretched or ripped as a result of an injury. Even though it is also common for individuals to develop instability symptoms from less serious knee injuries, the only way to distinguish between the two is to get your knee evaluated by a specialist
3. Your symptoms worsen suddenly
Consider your overall health when your knee is troubling you. Unexpected edema, redness, warmth, chills, uneasiness, or a warm sensation in the knee are symptoms to watch out for. These may be the signs of septic arthritis which results from an infection in the joint. Consult a medical specialist as soon as you can if bacteria enter your knee joint since delaying treatment might result in lifelong impairment or possibly septic shock.
4. Your symptoms don't respond to physical contact
If your pain does not respond to touching or pressing on your knee, the origin of the symptoms may really be due to issues with another part of your body. Sciatica, a condition that results from the disc or other structure within your spine compressing the neighboring nerve, for instance, can result in pain that travels through the knee and down the foot. Knee pain can also result from a hip injury. Therefore, if you push on your knee and your symptoms don't get worse, see a doctor to determine what is actually wrong.
5. Your injured knee appears misshapen
You should seek medical attention if your painful knee appears distorted or different from the side that isn't painful since this might be an indication of a fracture, patella tracking injury, or displaced kneecap.
6. Your symptoms affect your quality of life
If the pain in your knee is making it difficult for you to fall asleep results in changes in your gait, or otherwise impairs your quality of life, consult your physician to establish the culprit behind your symptoms and any potential treatments.
Ask someone to give you a ride to urgent care or the emergency department if you’re dealing with an acute knee injury that is accompanied by a popping noise, excruciating pain, abrupt swelling, or the inability to bear weight.
The bottom line
No matter if the symptoms in your knee occur suddenly or after an injury, you should consult a specialist if they don’t subside after a few days, or constantly worsen. Additionally, if your pain doesn't respond to the touch, severely impairs your quality of life, or if your knee appears misshapen, seek emergency medical attention.