What Causes Swelling Near The Calf After Wounding The Knee?

Posted on Fri, 10 Feb 2017

Question: I cut my knee about 10 days ago, wasnt bad didnt think much of it, This past friday I started feeling sick, weak light headed, knee was swollen, took ibuprofin rested felt a little better. The swelling has moved lor in calf area, Im not running a fever no pain but tightness in swollen area also affected area is warmer than rest of me, what do you think?

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Early cellulitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting the question.
I have gone through your medical history and the symptoms in detail.

Even though you have no fever,but the fact that the affected area is swollen and warm compared to the other regions,indicates that there is a underlying infection in the subcutaneous tissues.
The infection from the knee is spreading to the calf region.

You should not neglect the symptoms and should start on antibiotics as early as possible.

Start on broad spectrum antibiotics along with anti-inflammarory fibrinolytic tablets like serratiopeptidase,trypsin,chymotrypsin.

Keep the affected area splinted and avoid movements at the knee as far as possible.

Do not apply anything warm.

If the swelling and raised temperature do not show any signs of improvement in 48 hours then you need to see a surgeon for further management.

You may need a surgical drainage of the accumulated pus and daily dressings along with intravenous antibiotics.

I hope the answer was useful.

Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.

Thank you.

Best 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. Nagamani Ng