# Knee pain: 7 signs it needs to be examined

Most knee pain settles with a little rest. Here are the 7 signs that mean an orthopaedic surgeon should take a look.

Almost everyone feels knee pain at some point. Most of the time the cause is a tiring day or a sudden movement, and the pain eases in a few days with rest and ice. Some signs, though, tell you the knee needs to be examined.

## The 7 signs

- **Swelling that came on fast.** A knee that swells within hours of an injury often has blood inside the joint.
- **The knee locks.** It gets stuck in one position and will not straighten. A common cause is a [meniscus tear](https://www.manoskotidis.com/en/knee-arthroscopy-meniscus/).
- **The knee gives way.** If it buckles on twists or stairs, the [ACL](https://www.manoskotidis.com/en/acl-tear-reconstruction/) may be injured.
- **You cannot put weight on the leg.** Especially after a fall, this needs an examination the same day.
- **Pain wakes you at night.** Night pain is not simple tiredness.
- **Redness, warmth and fever.** A hot, red knee with a fever is urgent.
- **The pain lasts more than two to three weeks.** Even if it is mild, it is worth finding out what causes it.

## What you can do yourself in the first days

- Rest the knee, without staying completely still.
- Use ice for 15 to 20 minutes, a few times a day.
- Keep the leg raised when you sit.
- Avoid deep squats and twisting.

## What happens at the examination

It starts with a conversation: how the pain began, where exactly it hurts, what makes it worse. A clinical examination of the knee comes next. If needed, a standing X-ray or an MRI scan is requested.

In most cases the treatment is not surgery. It is physiotherapy, strengthening and a change in activity. If the pain comes from wear, see the page on [knee osteoarthritis](https://www.manoskotidis.com/en/knee-osteoarthritis/) too.

## When to call

If you recognise any of the signs above, [book an appointment](https://www.manoskotidis.com/en/#book). Bring any tests you already have.

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Manos Skotidis, MD, MSc · Orthopaedic Surgeon · Hip & Knee
Phone: +30 694 248 7303 · Email: em.skotidis@gmail.com
Appointments: https://www.manoskotidis.com/en/#book