How to Diagnose Knee Problem Symptoms

The knee is the largest joint in the human body. It is made up of numerous parts, including muscles, ligaments, tendons and cartilage, and is positioned in the middle of three bones: the femur, patella and tibia. Accordingly, the knee is one of the most common points of injury.
The knee provides flexibility and stability for the body and allows the legs to swivel, straighten and bend. It is also used in all sports, though those that require repetitive movements make some people more susceptible to knee problems. Luckily, knee problems are easily diagnosed and, though they can be complicated, treatments are available.

Instructions

1. Look for any deformities, tenderness and warmth in the knee cap. If any of these symptoms are present there may be a fracture or torn ligaments in the internal area of the knee. An X-ray is recommended to determine the cause.

2. If there is pain behind the knee or during a leg stretch it may be a torn hamstring muscle.

3. If there is a grinding feeling in the joint it could be a sign of torn cartilage.

4. If you experience fever with redness and inflammation in the knee you may be suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatic fever. If no fever is present then the symptoms could indicate gout.

5. If the knee has become tender over many years or months and the pain gets worse whenever there is a change in weather then it may be osteoarthritis.

6. If there is swelling in the back of the knee, then it may be a result of a baker's cyst.

References

• Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice; Susan Standring; Churchill Livingstone; 2004
• DeGowin's Diagnostic Examination; Donald Brown, Richard DeGowin and Richard LeBlond; McGraw-Hill Professional; 2004
• Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment; Lawrence M. Tierney, Stephen J. McPhee and Maxine A. Papadakis; McGraw-Hill Publishing; 2006

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Medlineplus.com: Knee Pain