A swollen knee is the result of the accumulation of fluid in or around the knee joint. It is commonly referred to as a ‘knee joint effusion’ or ‘water on the knee.’ The knee joint has a capsule, which is like a sac surrounding the whole joint. This capsule contains the synovial fluid which nourishes and lubricates the joint, enabling it to smoothly carry out movements of the body. The joint capsule acts as a container, keeping the fluid within the knee joint. Sometimes it may happen that the joint becomes overworked, or twisted. In case the joint gets irritated, it responds by producing more fluid in order to protect and heal itself. This is how the term ‘water on the knee’ has come about. Knee swelling can come on suddenly or gradually, can be mild or severe and can limit the movement of the leg. It often causes pain and can make walking very uncomfortable. The swelling can be both unilateral (affecting one knee) or bilateral (affecting both knees). Swelling can be attended with redness, tenderness, stiffness and a warm feeling on the joint.
Homeopathic medicines are highly effective in treating cases of swollen knee. Homeopathic medicines for swollen knee treat the condition in a gradual, safe and natural way. Along with swelling of the knee, they also reduce attending complaints of pain, stiffness, redness, heat, and tenderness of the joint remarkably. There are various forms of conventional treatment for a swollen knee like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), steroids, and antibiotics as per the cause. The above-mentioned conventional treatment can, however, have adverse side effects on the body, the scope of which is totally ruled out in homeopathy.
Homeopathy aims to give a permanent solution in cases of swollen knee by addressing the root cause behind it. It strengthens the body’s self-healing system to fight with the underlying cause in a natural manner. Cases of swollen knee related to injury, arthritis, bursitis recover wonderfully with homeopathic remedies.
Both acute and chronic cases of swollen knee respond well to homeopathy. The time taken for complete recovery however differs. Acute cases recover quickly while chronic cases recover gradually taking a few months’ time.
Homeopathy works wonders when the medicine is given as per the individualised approach. In cases of swollen knee as well, this way of medicine prescription is followed. To prescribe a suitable individualised homeopathic medicine for a particular case of swollen knee, a detailed case analysis is done. So homeopathic prescription varies from case to case. Hence it is advised that one should take homeopathic medicines under the supervision of a homeopathic physician, and avoid self-medication to get the best results.
The best advantage of using homeopathic medicines for treating swollen knee is that they are totally side effect-free. Homeopathic medicines are made from plants and naturally occurring substances that do not cause any harmful effects.
Top 6 Homeopathic Medicines for Swollen Knee
Apis Mellifica, Arnica Montana, Bryonia Alba, Rhus Tox, Benzoic Acid and Sticta Pulmonaria are the top remedies for a swollen knee.
1. Apis Mellifica – For Swollen Knee With Stinging Shooting Pains
Apis Mellifica is a very frequently used medicine to treat a swollen knee that is accompanied by intense stinging, and shooting pain in the knees. The pain worsens under pressure. The knee may appear shiny, sore, and sensitive to the touch. Burning sensation is also felt in the knee.
When to use Apis Mellifica?
This medicine is highly suitable to manage swelling of knee along with stinging, shooting pain that increases when pressure is applied on knee.
How to use Apis Mellifica?
Among its various potencies, it is best to begin with 30C potency once or twice a day.
2. Arnica Montana – For Swelling Due to Injury
Arnica Montana is a top-recommended medicine for managing swollen knee from an injury. In cases needing it, swelling is accompanied with pain when touched. Pricking type of pain is prominent. A sensation of dislocation of the knee joint may also be present. The knee may bend down suddenly while standing.
When to use Arnica Montana?
This medicine is beneficial to manage swelling of knee along with marked tenderness (pain on touch) that results from an injury.
How to use Arnica Montana?
It can be used in low as well as high potencies. Initially it is advised to use it in 30C potency two to three times a day.
3. Bryonia Alba – For Swollen Knee With Redness And Heat
Bryonia Alba is a well-indicated medicine for treating swelling of knee along with redness and heated sensation in knee. A sharp, tearing, stitching pain is felt in the knees. The slightest movement of the knee can worsen the pain.
When to use Bryonia Alba?
This medicine is of great use to manage swelling in the knee when attended with redness, heat and pain that increases from the movement of the knee.
How to use Bryonia Alba?
It can be taken two to three times a day in 30C potency. Use of high potency like 200C should be limited to once a day.
4. Rhus Tox – For Swelling Of Knee In Case Of Joint Inflammation
Rhus Tox is a wonderful medicine for cases of swelling from inflamed joint (arthritis). There is stiffness in the knee along with swelling. The knee is painful as well. Pain is worse at rest. Massage and movement help ease the pain.
When to use Rhus Tox?
Rhus Tox is an excellent choice of medicine to help cases of swollen knee in cases of inflammation of joint along with stiff, painful knee worse at rest.
How to use Rhus Tox?
This medicine is frequently prescribed in 30C potency that can be taken three to four times per day as per case requirement.
5. Benzoic Acid – For Swollen Knee Due to Gout
Benzoic Acid is a medicine used to treat a swollen knee due to gout (inflamed joint from high uric acid levels). Along with swelling, painful nodes on the knee joint may be present. Along with drawing pain in the knees, a cracking sound upon movement also appears.
When to use Benzoic Acid?
Its use is suggested to treat a swollen knee occurring in cases of gout with pain and formation of nodes on the knee.
How to use Benzoic Acid?
This medicine can be used in 30C power once or twice a day.
6. Sticta Pulmonaria – Swelling Due To Bursitis
Sticta Pulmonaria is one of the best medicines for a swollen knee that occurs due to bursitis. The main symptom that indicates the need for this medicine is a red, hot, intensely swollen knee. This is due to the collection of a significant amount of fluid in the patellar bursa. There is severe shooting pain in the affected knee. Stretching the leg or moving about often brings relief.
When to use Sticta Pulmonaria?
This medicine is advised for managing swollen knee in bursitis cases with marked redness, heat and shooting type of pain in knee.
How to use Sticta Pulmonaria?
It is recommended to take this medicine one to two times a day in 30C potency.
Cause behind Swollen Knee
The most common cause of a swollen knee is an injury. Next it may arise due to some underlying joint disorder. This mainly includes osteoarthritis (a form of arthritis in which degeneration of joint cartilage occurs that results in rubbing together of the bones), rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune joint disorder causing inflamed, stiff, swollen, painful joints) and gout (inflammation of joints due to high uric acid levels). Another cause is bursitis (inflammation of a bag-like cavity containing fluid called brusa around a joint). Besides, it may occur from an infection in the knee joint.
Risk Factors that lead to a Swollen Knee
Following are some risk factors that can predispose a person to a condition like swollen knee:
1. Age: The risk of developing diseases which lead to knee effusion, like arthritis, increases with age. This makes older adults more vulnerable to develop a condition like a swollen knee.
2. Sports: People who are actively involved in sports that involve twisting the knee, such as basketball, are more likely to experience knee injuries that cause swelling.
3. Obesity: Excess weight puts added stress on the knee joint, thus contributing to the tissue and joint overload and knee degeneration that can lead to a swollen knee. Obesity increases the risk of osteoarthritis, one of the more frequent causes of knee swelling.
4. Occupation: Occupations that including sitting on the knees for hours together or hobbies like gardening, increase the pressure on the knees thus causing a knee effusion presenting itself as a swelling.
