[53F] Experiencing Severe Knee Pain and Swelling

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, there are several possible conditions that could be causing your symptoms:

• Knee Osteoarthritis: This is a common form of arthritis that causes the cartilage in your knee joint to wear away over time, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. The pain typically worsens with activity and improves with rest. The clicking you're experiencing when bending your knee could be due to the roughened cartilage surface in the joint.

  • Treatment usually involves a combination of lifestyle modifications (like weight loss and exercise), physical therapy, pain relievers, and in some cases, surgery.

• Gout: This is a type of arthritis that usually affects the big toe but can also affect other joints, including the knee. It's caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood, which can form crystals in the joints and cause sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling.

  • Treatment typically involves medications to control pain and reduce uric acid levels.

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): This is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body, often in the leg. It can cause pain, swelling, warmth, and redness in the affected leg. However, you mentioned that the swelling is not warm or red, which makes DVT less likely.

  • Treatment usually involves blood thinners to break up the clot and prevent new ones from forming.

• Baker's Cyst: This is a fluid-filled cyst that causes a bulge and a feeling of tightness behind your knee. The pain can worsen when you fully flex or extend your knee or when you're active.

  • Treatment usually involves managing the underlying problem, such as arthritis or a cartilage tear.

What you can do

While waiting for your appointment with your doctor, you can try the following to help manage your symptoms:

1. Rest: Try to avoid activities that aggravate your knee pain.
2. Ice: Apply a cold pack to your knee for 15 minutes at a time, several times a day.
3. Compression: Use a compression bandage or wrap to help reduce swelling.
4. Elevation: Try to elevate your leg when you're sitting or lying down.
5. Over-the-counter pain relievers: Non-prescription medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help reduce pain and inflammation.

What you should look out for

Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Severe pain and swelling in your knee
• An inability to walk or bear weight on your knee
• An obvious deformity in your leg or knee
• Fever or redness and warmth around your knee, which could indicate an infection

Remember, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate examination, testing, and care recommendations.