What Causes Leg Swelling After A Knee Injury?

Posted on Sat, 13 Sep 2014

Question: I fell about a month ago down my daughters steps. My knee has been sore ever sense the fall. Getting up or down hurts my knee and my foot on that leg is swelling. Will this get better or what do I do? Is the foot swelling because of the knee?

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Description bellow.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for your query.

From description it seems soft tissue injury or ligament injury.If proper immobilisation is not given at the time of injury, healing of tissue or ligament might get hampered. Leg and foot swelling could be due to knee injury.

I suggest you to consult an orthopaedician nearby for a detailed examination of swelling. You may get the X-ray/MRI of the area affected under his/her guidance.
Meanwhile give hot fomatation over it, You can take Tablet Motrin 1 tablet with food as and when required (upto 4 tablets daily).

I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (15 minutes later)

What is fomatation? The pain is on the inside of the knee- like a ligament issue...not on the knee cap itself. Is that like a heating pad? THanks!

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is warm moist application.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Hot fomentation is warm moist application. It is like heating pad. MRI will be helpful in detecting ligament injury.

Hope this helps you. You can consult me again directly through my profile http://www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-saurabh-gupta/64132

Wishing you speedy recovery.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (9 hours later)

Thank you. I figured that the local guy would ask me to have an MRI. Last evening I put a hot pad on it as I watched TV...:) I never stopped working out or anything after I fell...no rest so I a am pretty sure that was what prolonged the injury. Squats appear to help it as well- does that sound possible? Also I take Advil.... How much advil is too much? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are correct.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

You are correct. Not taking proper rest might be the cause of delayed healing of tissue or ligament.

Taking Advil more than 4 tabs per day is too much. If your symptoms persist, I suggest you to go for a MRI after consulting your doctor.

Wishing you good health..

Warm regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar