The knee is the most important joint that supports the body’s daily activities, but it is also the most “delicate” joint. Don’t underestimate the damage that daily life can do to the knee joint. Walking up a flight of stairs, lifting a heavy object, or playing a sport can cause discomfort in the knee area. In the face of this situation, some people struggle to go to the hospital for examination, while others simply ignore it, thinking that there will be no major problems. In order to solve this situation, here are some ways to check for knee injuries at home, so that you can simply check for yourself when you encounter knee discomfort, and then decide whether to go to the hospital for further treatment. If you have knee discomfort, check for knee pain and observe if there is any correlation between the pain and the weather. If your knee hurts in rainy weather but is fine in sunny weather, consider whether you have rheumatoid arthritis. For knee pain, determine if there is a correlation between the pain and exercise. If you have knee pain after exercise, you will first need to rest and then, depending on the level of knee pain after rest, decide whether to reduce the intensity of the exercise or go to the hospital. Occasional ringing when moving the knee, no discomfort in the knee when walking on a flat surface, and increased knee pain after squatting and standing up, going up and down stairs, or walking a long distance. If you have the above symptoms, you need to lie down on the bed during the examination, have another person hold the left hand on the knee, hold the ankle with the right hand, flex the knee joint and then straighten it, and listen for any sound to be made. If a sound is made, it may be chondromalacia of the patella (knee). Patients with mild symptoms can temporarily go to the hospital, pay attention to avoid direct impact on the patella and reduce patellofemoral friction activities, such as going up and down the stairs, cycling and other activities, symptoms can be expected to reduce. If symptoms are not relieved after rest, it is best to go to the hospital. Hospital tests If you have the above symptoms and choose to go to the hospital, I would like to introduce you to several tests commonly used in hospitals for the knee joint. X-rays (X-ray) are used to determine the width of the bone gap, fractures and other bone injuries. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is used to examine the cartilage, ligaments, meniscus, synovial membrane, synovial bursa and other lesions in the joint and bone marrow lesions. Specifically, it can check whether fluid is produced in the knee. Arthroscopy (a type of endoscopy that examines the inside of the joint cavity) allows direct observation of the synovial membrane, cartilage, meniscus, and ligaments. Arthroscopic techniques can directly take fluid from the lesion and examine it, providing a pathological basis for diagnosing various types of arthritis. Unlike the above two types of imaging examinations, arthroscopy is not only used for examination, but also for the removal and repair of diseased tissues in the joint, which is less painful, quicker to recover, and reduces the probability of postoperative complications. When you visit a hospital, you should choose the most suitable examination method based on a clear understanding of your condition and your doctor’s recommendations.