There are many reasons as to why knee pain arises. Many of them can include sports injuries, dislocated knee cap, baker''s cyst, gout, and arthritis. Aside from these known causes, a lot of patients do not even bother to tell the doctor when they are suffering. Most of them keep the information bottled up inside for fear of ridicule and egotistical concerns. Here is a small list that I set up that goes over different warning signs that something is wrong with your knees.

1. They are unable to walk comfortably.
2. There is a noticeable deformity around the joint.
3. There is considerable knee pain even when at rest
4. There is pain for days on end.
5. Inability to bend the knee properly.
6. The calf itself is swollen and throbbing with pain.

Aside from these symptoms and signals, there are more detrimental ones. The biggest warning sign is when you are stuck with a fever that lasts a long time due to the knee pain. I have been able to devise a list of ways in which I instruct my patients to treat their knee pain symptoms.

1) Eat health nutritious foods.

Like in so many of my other articles, I have stressed the importance of a healthy body. It is a well known fact that the healthier you are, the better your body can heal itself. What I love to do is eat raw fruits and vegetables. Sometimes I will also juice them in order to save time. I personally find that juicing is the best way to combine a vast amount of fruits and vegetables together without having to eat them individually.

2) Purchase a pair of comfortable walking shoes.

A lot of people take walking for granted. Back when I attended medical school, I always wore basketball sneakers. I often wondered why my feet would hurt at the end of the day when I got to my dorm. After I talked to one of my colleagues, I purchased a pair of soft walking shoes and it did wonders for me. I actually loved walking long distances in them. I felt as though I was walking on soft powder. When my patients took my advice and got soft walking shoes, they noticed a drastic difference and even had less dramatic lower back pain.

3) Ask your personal physician about prolotherapy.

Prolotherapy is a non-surgical reconstruction of the knee from chronic pain. What basically happens is the doctor will use a dextrose solution, which is injected into the ligament or tendon where it attaches to the bone. This will ultimately cause a localized inflammation in the weak areas which then increases the blood supply and flow of nutrients. This stimulation will cause the tissue to repair itself over time. I urge you to talk to your personal physician because each person''s body will heal over a different period of time.

All in all, knee pain is one of those things that hit a wide range of people each day. Whether it is mild or severe, knee pain not only affects the knee, but the entire body in one shot. Please remember to talk with your own physician to see what works best for you and your particular situation.

Pain, swelling, stiffness and "water" on the knee are common symptoms. Follow this chart for more information about knee problems, possible diagnoses and self-care.
SYMPTOMS DIAGNOSIS SELF-CARE
Begin here
1. Did your knee pain or swelling begin after a fall, twisting injury, or after your knee was hit by an object or person? No --> Go to Question 7.*
Yes, go down
2. Is your knee deformed? Yes --> Your knee may be FRACTURED and/or you may have seriously TORN some LIGAMENTS in the internal area of the knee. --> EMERGENCY
See your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.
No, go down
3. Is your kneecap swollen, tender and warm, and do you have pain with activity? Yes --> If you fell hard on your kneecap it may be FRACTURED. Otherwise, it may be bruised or you may have PREPATELLAR BURSITIS, an irritation of a small lubricating sac (called bursa) in front of the kneecap. --> See your doctor.
No, go down
4. Is your knee tender and swollen and does the pain get worse after sitting for a long time or after using the stairs? Yes --> Your symptoms may be from TORN CARTILAGE, a TORN LIGAMENT or CHONDROMALACIA PATELLAE, the softening of the ligament or cartilage underneath the kneecap. --> See your doctor. Rest and anti-inflammatory medicine may help relieve the pain.
No, go down
5. Do you have a sharp pain behind your knee and is it painful to stretch your leg? Yes --> You may have a TORN HAMSTRING MUSCLE. --> Apply ice to the area and use an anti-inflammatory medicine. You may also wrap your thigh with an elastic bandage. Keep the injured leg elevated. See your doctor if there's excessive swelling or pain.
No, go down
6. Do you still have a grinding feeling in your joint or does it ever lock even after your knee pain is better? Yes --> This may be from TORN CARTILAGE. --> Use an anti-inflammatory medicine and rest your knee. If you keep experiencing pain or if your knee becomes swollen, see your doctor.
No, go down
*7. Is your knee swollen and/or red? No --> Go to Question 9.**
Yes, go down
8. Do you have a fever along with swollen and/or red joints? Yes --> You may have RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, but you may also have a more serious problem, such as RHEUMATIC FEVER. -->

URGENT
See your doctor as soon as possible. He or she will be able to tell what's causing your symptoms.
No --> Your symptoms may be from GOUT. --> Try an anti-inflammatory medicine. If your symptoms don't improve, see your doctor.
**9. Has your knee become tender over many months or years and does the pain get worse when the weather changes? Yes --> Pain and stiffness may be caused by OSTEOARTHRITIS. --> Try an anti-inflammatory medicine. Applying heat to tender joints may also help relieve the pain. If your symptoms don't improve, see your doctor.
No, go down
10. Is the back of your knee swollen? Yes --> The swelling may be from a BAKER'S CYST. --> Try an anti-inflammatory medicine. If your symptoms don't improve, see your doctor.
No, go down
11. Are you between 12 and 18 years old and do you have a pain below your kneecap that gets worse with activity? Yes --> You may have OSGOOD-SCHLATTER DISEASE. --> Apply ice to the affected area and rest your leg. See your doctor if your pain is severe or if the swelling is excessive.
No, go down
12. Are you younger than 18 years old and do you have knee pain? Yes --> You may have a hip problem that feels like knee pain. --> See your doctor.
No, go down
For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call your doctor right away.