Identifying the conditions that cause knee swelling and pain will help in proper treatment:
1. Osteoarthritis
This is a condition in which the cartilage in the joints wears down with age. As a result, the bones rub against each other, causing pain and severe swelling.
2. Obesity
When body weight increases, all the pressure is on the knees. This can accelerate the wear and tear on the joints and cause swelling in the long term.
3. Injuries
Damage to the ligaments (ACL, MCL) or cartilage (Meniscus) in the knee due to a fall or accident causes sudden pain and swelling.
4. Gout
When the amount of uric acid in the body increases, it accumulates in the joints as crystals. This can cause sudden, severe pain and red swelling in the knee.
5. Bursitis
Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that help cushion the joints in the knee. When these become inflamed (bursitis), you will feel a lump and pain above the knee.
6. Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the joints. It can affect both knees at the same time and cause stiffness when you wake up in the morning.