- Why it happens: Inflamed bursa (fluid sac) from:
- Prolonged kneeling (plumbers, gardeners)
- Direct trauma (hitting knee on counter)
- Red flags:
- 🧤 Swelling only on front of knee (like a golf ball under skin)
- 🌡️ Localized warmth (not entire knee)
- Why it’s harmless: Rarely serious—but fever + redness = infection.
- Action: RICE method + 2 weeks rest. See doctor if no improvement.
6. Localized Osteoarthritis — The “Silent” Starter
- Why it happens: Wear-and-tear in one knee (from past injury, obesity, or leg-length discrepancy).
- Red flags:
- 📅 Swelling after activity (not sudden overnight)
- 🦴 Grinding/popping during movement
- Why it’s sneaky: Swelling is mild at first—dismissed as “aging.”
- Action: X-ray + weight management. Early intervention = delay surgery by 10+ years.
🚨 3 Red Flags That Mean “ER NOW” (Don’t Wait!)
These symptoms require immediate care—even if you feel “fine”:
- Fever + hot, red knee → Septic arthritis (sepsis risk in 12 hours)
- Calf swelling + shortness of breath → Blood clot (pulmonary embolism risk)
- Inability to straighten knee + trapped feeling → Locked meniscus (surgery within 48 hours)
💡 Doctor’s trick: Press your palm on the swollen knee for 10 seconds. If indent remains (pitting edema), it’s fluid buildup—not infection. But if skin shines like plastic, it’s infected.
🩺 Your 5-Second Self-Check (Do This Now)
