How Long Should Knee Pain Last Before Seeing A Doctor?
If you cannot identify the mechanism of injury, or if your knee pain started after a minor injury, you can monitor your symptoms for 48 hours before seeking medical assistance. Seek medical attention quickly if your pain is caused by a significant injury or you experience:
- Rapid swelling within the first 3-4 hours after injury
- Inability to bear weight on the involved knee
- Locking. If you are unable to move the knee from a certain position due to it feeling stuck
- Hearing or feeling a pop at the time of injury
- Experiencing instability or episodes of giving way
- Visual deformity following injury
- Intense, uncontrollable pain