Knee Pain at Urgent Care: When to Come In and What to Expect

Knee pain can sideline you fast — whether from a sports injury, a fall, or a chronic condition flaring up. Knowing when urgent care for knee pain is the right call can help you get treatment faster without a costly ER visit. CityHealth Oakland offers same-day urgent care for knee pain, with on-site X-ray imaging available.

When to Go to Urgent Care for Knee Pain

Not all knee pain needs same-day evaluation. But CityHealth urgent care is the right call when:

• Sudden injury during activity — heard or felt a “pop,” immediate pain, swelling developing rapidly
• Significant swelling — knee swollen like a grapefruit; could be blood in the joint (hemarthrosis) or infection
• Can’t bear weight after an injury
• Knee is locked or won’t straighten fully — possible meniscus tear catching in the joint
• Suspected fracture — fall or direct blow with significant pain and tenderness on the bone
• Knee is hot, red, and swollen without a clear injury — possible septic arthritis or gout (both are urgent)
• Significant worsening of chronic knee pain with new symptoms
• You need an X-ray to rule out fracture

When to Go to the ER for Knee Pain

• Complete inability to bear any weight and obvious deformity suggesting dislocation
• Kneecap is clearly in the wrong position (patellar dislocation)
• Severe, uncontrolled bleeding into the joint with rapidly expanding swelling
• Open fracture (bone visible through skin)
• Signs of vascular injury — cold, pale foot below the knee after trauma

Common Causes of Knee Pain Seen at Urgent Care

Ligament Injuries

• ACL tear (anterior cruciate ligament) — classic “pop” + immediate swelling; most common in cutting/pivoting sports; needs MRI and orthopedic evaluation (urgent care initiates workup and makes referral)
• MCL sprain (medial collateral) — inside-of-knee pain from valgus stress (hit from outside the knee); often treated conservatively
• LCL sprain — outside-of-knee pain; less common

Meniscus Injuries

The menisci are C-shaped cartilage pads that cushion the knee joint. Tears happen during twisting injuries. Symptoms: pain with squatting, clicking or locking, swelling. Confirmed by MRI.

Patellar Problems

• Patellar tendinitis — pain just below the kneecap; common in basketball, volleyball players (“jumper’s knee”)
• Patellar dislocation — kneecap pops to the outside; intensely painful; urgent care can reduce it if not spontaneously relocated, with X-ray to rule out fracture
• Patellofemoral syndrome — diffuse front-of-knee pain worse with stairs, squatting; common in runners

Bursitis

Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee. When inflamed (bursitis), they cause localized swelling and tenderness. Prepatellar bursitis (kneecap) is common after kneeling on hard surfaces.

Gout

Gout can affect the knee — sudden, severe pain, warmth, redness, swelling, usually reaching maximum intensity within hours. Needs joint aspiration for definitive diagnosis or can be treated empirically with NSAIDs/colchicine.

Septic Arthritis

A bacterial infection in the knee joint is a medical emergency. Signs: hot, very swollen knee, fever, inability to move the joint, systemic unwellness. Needs urgent aspiration and IV antibiotics — urgent care will expedite transfer to ED if suspected.

Osteoarthritis

Chronic degenerative joint disease. Most common in adults 50+. Urgent care can help with pain management during an acute flare, order X-rays, and refer appropriately.

What Happens at Urgent Care for Knee Pain?

1. History — mechanism of injury, when it started, swelling, instability, clicking/locking
2. Physical exam — range of motion, stability tests (Lachman test, McMurray test for meniscus, valgus/varus stress), palpation of ligaments, bursae, and joint line
3. X-ray — on-site at CityHealth; rules out fracture; Ottawa Knee Rules guide when X-ray is necessary
4. Joint aspiration — if significant effusion (swelling) is present, fluid can be drawn from the joint for analysis; identifies infection, gout crystals, or blood
5. Treatment:
   • Splinting or immobilization if fracture or significant instability
   • RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) instructions
   • NSAIDs or prescribed pain management
   • Crutches if weight-bearing is limited
   • Orthopedic referral for suspected ACL/meniscus tears requiring MRI

The Ottawa Knee Rules: Do You Need an X-Ray?

The Ottawa Knee Rules are a validated clinical decision tool that helps determine when knee X-rays are necessary after acute injury. An X-ray is indicated if ANY of:

• Age 55 or older
• Isolated tenderness of the patella
• Tenderness at the fibular head (outside bottom of knee)
• Inability to flex knee to 90 degrees
• Inability to bear weight for 4 steps immediately after injury and at time of evaluation

Get Your Knee Evaluated at CityHealth

Knee pain that’s swelling, locked, or after a significant injury needs same-day evaluation. CityHealth has on-site X-ray, can perform joint aspiration, and has experience managing acute knee injuries at both our Oakland Montclair and San Leandro locations. Walk in or book an appointment online.

Resources: the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons