Swollen Knee: 9 Causes, Home Treatment & When to See a Knee Surgeon A swollen knee is one of the most common reasons people seek urgent advice from a knee doctor — but not all swelling is the same, and knowing the difference could protect your joint health long term. This infographic from The Knee Clinic Manchester, created by Mr Bilal Barkatali (Consultant Knee Surgeon), gives you a complete expert guide in one visual. 🦵 9 Common Causes of a Swollen Knee: 1️⃣ Knee Osteoarthritis — worn cartilage triggers inflammation & fluid build-up 2️⃣ Ligament Injury (ACL/MCL) — rapid swelling within 1–2 hours, urgent MRI needed 3️⃣ Meniscal Tear — swelling develops over 24–48 hrs, locking & catching 4️⃣ Bursitis — localised soft swelling, urgent if infected 5️⃣ Gout / Pseudogout — sudden intense flare, rule out septic arthritis 6️⃣ Septic Arthritis — hot, red, fever — THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY 7️⃣ Patellofemoral / Cartilage Damage — chronic low-grade swelling in active people 8️⃣ Rheumatoid Arthritis — autoimmune, symmetrical, any age 9️⃣ Baker's Cyst — fluid lump behind the knee, treat the underlying cause 🏠 Home First Aid — The PRICE Protocol: P — Protection | R — Rest | I — Ice (15–20 mins every 2–3 hrs) | C — Compression | E — Elevation 🚨 Go to A&E immediately if: — Knee is hot, red & swollen with fever — Severe swelling within 2 hrs of injury with a pop sound — Cannot bear weight at all — Knee is visibly deformed 📅 Book a knee specialist appointment if: — Swelling persists beyond 2–3 weeks — Swelling keeps coming back — Knee locks, gives way or feels unstable — Pain is getting worse, not better 📍 The Knee Clinic Manchester — Mr Bilal Barkatali, Super-Specialist Knee Surgeon across Manchester, Cheshire & Lancashire. 📖 Full blog: https://kneeclinicmanchester.blogspot.com/2026/05/swollen-knee-causes-treatment-when-to-worry.html 🌐 www.thekneeclinicmanchester.com
