Knee Problems and Injuries

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Your knee joint—not your kneecap—has been pulled out of joint (dislocated).
• Signs of shock develop:
  • In children.
  • In adults and older children.
• Severe bleeding does not slow during the first 15 minutes of steady direct pressure.
• Your leg has been partially or completely amputated.
• After an acute (sudden) injury, there is an obvious broken bone with pieces of bone visible in a wound or a bone sticking through the skin. Note: Do not try to push the bone back into the skin. Cover the area with a clean bandage.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Calf or leg pain: Go to the topic Leg Problems, Noninjury.
• Leg injury: Go to the topic Leg Injuries.
• Bleeding: Go to the topic Cuts or Puncture Wounds.

Yes	Do you think you have broken your knee or pulled your kneecap out of place?
Yes	Do you have knee pain or tenderness?
Yes	Is your knee, lower leg, or foot pale, white, blue, or cold?
Yes	Do you have numbness or tingling in your knee, lower leg, or foot?
Yes	Has your knee given out, buckled, or felt unstable after an injury?
Yes	Do you have swelling of your knee?
Yes	Did you feel or hear a snap, pop, or grinding in your knee?
Yes	Do you have knee weakness, stiffness, decreased movement, or locking?
Yes	Do you think that a knee injury may have been caused by abuse?
Yes	Do you think you have inflammation or infection in your knee?
Yes	Does your knee look bruised after an injury?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• A burn, scrape, or bite: Go to the topic Burns, Scrapes, or Animal and Human Bites.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: September 19, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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