I hurt my knee but there is no swelling: what should I do?

Visible swelling is not required for a knee injury. Pain may come from an irritated tendon, a strained ligament, a meniscus tear, early knee osteoarthritis, or inflammation around the kneecap. An ACL tear can present with instability after a twisting injury, while bursitis or gout may cause tenderness that changes over time. A Baker's cyst can cause pressure behind the knee. The pattern matters: note whether pain is inside, outside, in front, or behind the joint and whether locking, catching, or giving way occurs.

Reduce running, jumping, deep squats, and twisting for now, while keeping comfortable daily movement. Use a cold pack wrapped in cloth if activity makes the area sore, and elevate the leg if it feels heavy. Do not test the knee repeatedly or push through sharp pain. Supportive footwear may help. If symptoms followed a twist or impact, arrange an examination before returning to sport; rehabilitation depends on the structure involved.

Seek urgent care if you cannot bear weight, the knee gives way repeatedly, it becomes locked, the leg looks deformed, or the foot becomes numb, cold, or unusually pale. Get prompt medical help for fever with a hot, red knee, severe pain after an injury, or new calf swelling and breathlessness. If pain persists, worsens, or limits stairs and ordinary walking, a clinician can examine the knee and decide whether imaging is useful.

Ask: Which structure may be causing the pain? Do I have signs of instability or a meniscus problem? What activity is safe now? Would physiotherapy help? What symptoms should make me stop exercising and return for review?