Quick Answer
See a doctor if knee pain is severe, lasts more than a few days, or you experience swelling, instability, inability to bear weight, or signs of infection (fever, warmth, redness). Seek emergency care for severe trauma, visible deformity, or complete inability to move the knee.
🚨 Seek Immediate Medical Care If:
- Severe pain that prevents weight-bearing or walking
- Obvious deformity - knee looks misshapen or out of place
- Severe trauma from car accident, fall from height, or sports injury
- Signs of infection: Fever, knee feels hot to touch, severe redness spreading
- Complete inability to straighten or bend the knee
- Knee gives out repeatedly or feels completely unstable
📅 Schedule an Appointment Within Days If:
- • Pain persists for more than 3-5 days despite rest and ice
- • Moderate swelling that doesn't improve with RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
- • Pain interferes with daily activities or sleep
- • Clicking, popping, or grinding sensations with pain
- • Limited range of motion - difficulty fully bending or straightening
- • Recurring knee pain that comes and goes
- • Pain after overuse or repetitive activity (running, stairs)
- • Previous knee injury that hasn't fully healed
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Acute Injuries
- • ACL/MCL Tear: Common in sports, causes instability and swelling
- • Meniscus Tear: Cartilage injury, often with twisting motion
- • Patellar Tendonitis: Inflammation from overuse (jumper's knee)
- • Fracture: Break in kneecap or surrounding bones
- • Dislocation: Kneecap moves out of position
Chronic Conditions
- • Osteoarthritis: Wear-and-tear arthritis, common with age
- • Rheumatoid Arthritis: Autoimmune condition affecting joints
- • Bursitis: Inflammation of fluid-filled sacs around knee
- • IT Band Syndrome: Runner's knee from overuse
- • Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Pain around kneecap
What to Try Before Seeing a Doctor
For mild knee pain without red flags, try RICE for 3-5 days:
R - Rest: Avoid activities that cause pain
I - Ice: Apply ice for 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times daily
C - Compression: Use elastic bandage (not too tight)
E - Elevation: Keep knee raised above heart level when resting
Over-the-counter pain relief: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Your doctor will likely:
- • Ask about injury mechanism and symptom timeline
- • Perform physical examination (range of motion, stability tests)
- • Check for swelling, tenderness, and alignment
- • May order X-rays to rule out fractures
- • May order MRI if ligament or meniscus injury suspected
Treatment Options
Conservative Treatment
- • Physical therapy to strengthen muscles around knee
- • Bracing or knee sleeve for support
- • Anti-inflammatory medications
- • Corticosteroid injections for severe inflammation
- • Activity modification
When Surgery May Be Needed
- • Complete ligament tear (ACL reconstruction)
- • Severe meniscus tear that doesn't heal
- • Fractures requiring surgical fixation
- • Severe arthritis (knee replacement)
- • Cartilage damage not responding to conservative care
Prevention Tips
- • Maintain healthy weight to reduce stress on knees
- • Strengthen quadriceps and hamstrings with regular exercise
- • Warm up properly before sports or exercise
- • Wear appropriate footwear for your activity
- • Avoid sudden increases in exercise intensity
- • Use proper form during squats and lunges
- • Cross-train to avoid overuse injuries
Medical Review
Reviewed by: Ricardo Hamilton, MD
Last Updated: November 26, 2025
Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Sports Medicine, Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Guidelines