Why does one knee suddenly start hurting?

Apr 26, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Introduction
Sudden knee pain may be caused by intense exercise, knee arthritis, soft tissue injury, or other reasons. If there is severe limitation in knee joint movement, it is important to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment. Active symptomatic treatment should be pursued, and during the treatment period, knee activity should be reduced to facilitate recovery.

Sudden knee pain may be caused by physiological reasons, or it could result from conditions such as arthritis or soft tissue injury. Patients should promptly visit a hospital for diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment based on the underlying cause. Specific details are as follows:

1. Physiological Causes

If a patient has recently engaged in intense physical activity without proper warm-up exercises beforehand, they may experience symptoms such as knee pain and limited mobility. In such cases, special medical treatment is usually unnecessary; adequate rest is sufficient.

2. Pathological Causes

1) Soft Tissue Injury

If the knee suffers external trauma—such as impact or collision—it may lead to soft tissue damage, causing localized pain. Depending on the severity of the injury, additional symptoms may include swelling of the knee joint or significant limitation in joint movement. Pain may worsen with certain movements. If this occurs, patients should seek timely medical attention and, under a doctor's guidance, take medications such as Huli San Capsules or Yunnan Baiyao Capsules for treatment.

2) Knee Arthritis

Acute episodes of either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the knee joint can cause sudden, one-sided knee pain, potentially affecting weight-bearing ability and walking. The joint may become stiff and motion may be restricted. Besides pain, patients may also develop muscle spasms and tension on the affected side, impairing normal leg movement and weight support. Treatment options include medications such as Etoricoxib Tablets or Ibuprofen Sustained-Release Capsules.

In addition, this symptom might also be caused by a fracture, which requires immediate medical evaluation and active symptomatic treatment. During recovery, patients should minimize knee joint activity to promote healing.


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