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What Causes Swelling,pain And Stiffness On Knees?

Posted on Mon, 30 Jun 2014

Question: I have swelling behind both knees that sometimes isn't as bad as others, but I still have some swelling all the time. There is some pain and stiffness especially in the morning or after I have been sitting for a while and get up. I sometimes have pain in the front part of my knee and a little below my knee. I saw my primary care doctor who dismissed it as not serious and either from my veins expanding since it's warmer, a cyst, or arthritis, but she never did any diagnostics or testing to see what the real cause is. I was looking for a second opinon.

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It seems arthritis;need blood invesatigation

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting
After going through your description, my advice would to find out the cause of pain and stiffness in knee joint, as it could be sign of early arthritis. You may get following blood test done-serum RA factor, ANA test, Anti CCP antibody test and serum uric acid.
Meanwhile you may do life style modifications like avoiding sitting cross legged, squatting and maintain optimum body weight. Exercises like quadriceps strengthening, swimming; straight leg rising will help in improving the muscle strength around the knee and will help in decreasing pain.
Do you have a family history of multiple joint pains?
Please feel free to ask me if you have any other query. Hope this information suffices.
Take care
Regards
Dr.chugh, Orthopaedic surgeon
Virtual clinic http://bit.ly/drmchugh

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (7 minutes later)

Thank you for your answer. I will probably go to a new primary care doctor or orthopedist and see if they will look into this more and do a blood test.

My grandmother has arthritis and my father had knee surgery when he was in his 30s and he had arthritis then. I was wondering if it could be arthritis given that my dad had it in his 30s.

Is there a certain medicine, such as Tylenol or Advil, that is better in this situation until I can get a doctor's appointment?

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
See me after the blood work

Detailed Answer:
Hello
It's good to see you
After going through your reply,you may continue with tablet Tylenol or Advil,if they are effective otherwise you may have tablet ultram (tramadol) under medical guidance.
Mean while you may take glucosamine (food supplement) for your knee problem, the recommended dose of glucosamine sulphate is 1500mg and chondroitin sulphate is 800-1200mg daily in divides doses. Glucosamine by nutralite is a good brand and with balanced composition. This is usually given for 3 months and then 6 months off after there is symptomatic improvement. This is not a pain killer so additional medicines are required for pain control and optimum joint activity.
Hope this helps.
Wishing you good health.
Dr.chugh

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (18 minutes later)

One last question I thought of. Would wearing a knee brace or some sort of support help? I wasn't sure if it would really help me or not.

Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for your kind word

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for a nice feedback. There are various type of knee brace/support are available, they are prescribed depending on the cause of pain like ‘hinged knee brace’ for bow knee and so on. They do help in giving relief from pain.
Take care and wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr.chugh

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (4 minutes later)

Ok.

Thanks so much again!

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks

Detailed Answer:
Hello
If you do not have further query at present you may close the discussion and if you ever need any help you may contact me directly at http://bit.ly/drmchugh
Wishing you healthy knee.
Dr.chugh

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar