A knee that becomes hot following your exercise routine can be worrisome -- especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms. Because a knee that is hot to the touch can be caused by a serious injury, it is important to understand why it can occur and how it can be treated and prevented. Seek medical attention if symptoms are chronic or severe.
Symptoms
A knee that is warm to the touch can develop suddenly after exercise. Additional symptoms can include weakness, redness , swelling, the inability to completely straighten your knee, pain, tenderness and bruising. You can sometimes hear or feel a "pop" or crunching sensation at the time of injury. Your knee can give out or buckle when you attempt to place pressure on the injured leg, making walking difficult or impossible.
Causes
Your knee can become hot because your blood vessels dilate during exercise and more blood rushes to the surface of the skin. In addition, wearing constrictive or synthetic fabrics while exercising can trap heat and moisture on your skin and cause a warm knee. Overusing the muscles, tendons, bones and cartilage with excessive exercise can stress the anatomic structures, resulting in symptoms such as skin that is hot to the touch. Conditions such as sprains, strains, blunt trauma, gout, osteoarthritis and patellar tendinitis can also cause symptoms.
Treatments
Place ice on your knee for about 15 minutes at a time following your exercise routine. You can repeat this every hour if needed. Rest and avoid any movements that increase symptoms. Take naproxen or ibuprofen to help reduce swelling, pain and hotness. Wrap your knee with an elastic sleeve or bandage to help compress the injured area and reduce symptoms. Prop your leg up on a pillow to help drain fluid and blood away from the knee and toward your heart.
Prevention
Wear shoes that are appropriate for the type of exercise that you are doing. For example, wear running shoes while jogging. Shoes must be in good repair and have proper outer and arch support. Warm up with a low intensity activity and stretching before your exercise routine. This will help prepare your knees for activity and help make them more resistant to injury. Cool down in the same fashion immediately following your exercise routine to stretch out tight muscles and improve flexibility.
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