Knee Problems And Injuries: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you have knee weakness, stiffness, decreased movement, or locking?

See significance of weakness, stiffness, decreased movement, or locking if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

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

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have severe pain?

Yes

Are you unable to straighten or bend your knee?

Yes

Are you unable to move your knee normally because of muscle weakness (not just because of pain)?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Is a young child carefully protecting a knee or unable to walk after a known or suspected injury?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Are you unable to move your knee normally or do you have decreased strength after 48 hours of home treatment?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Does your knee lock from time to time, but it is not locked now?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	September 19, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer