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The effusion in the knee joint, commonly known as “water in the knee”, is most often the result of an injury, overload or disease. As a result of inflammation, the synovial membrane of the joint begins to produce large amounts of synovial fluid, which leads to visible swelling in the knee area. These symptoms should not be underestimated – it is very important to consult a doctor who will exclude or confirm the presence of the disease.
Symptoms of knee joint effusion
Primary symptom water in the knee there is swelling, enlargement and pain in the joint with movement, which may worsen over time or even make it impossible to function. The patient is most often unable to bend or straighten the leg, and may also feel like a loose, unstable joint if the ligament or cartilage is damaged. There is also redness and a feeling of heat at the site of inflammation. If the exudate is the result of a mechanical trauma, bruises appear on the skin.
What are the most common causes of water in the knee?
Appearance water in the knee most often it indicates an injury or strain, but it can also be a symptom of an illness. The disease factors include bursitis, gout, osteitis, Baker’s cyst, arthritis, and tumors in or under the knee. People who practice sports intensively are most likely to suffer from this ailment, especially those who prefer sports that put a heavy strain on the knee joints, such as football, skiing, tennis, running and cycling. The second risk group is people struggling with obesity and overweight.
Do you feel swelling in your knee or pain in your knee joint? Consult your concerns with an orthopedist or physical therapist. You can use the e-visit option and get relevant research referrals without leaving your home.
Methods of treating exudate in the knee joint
Most often, a doctor performs a knee puncture, which consists in drawing off excess fluid with a syringe. The procedure is painless because it is performed under local anesthesia. The withdrawn fluid may be sent for further examination if a specialist finds gout or an infection to be the cause of the exudate. If water in the knee appeared as a result of a mechanical injury, the patient is usually referred for rehabilitation. During this time, you should stop practicing sports. People who are overweight are recommended to change their diet to one that will allow you to get rid of unnecessary kilograms.
It’s also a good idea to get an MRI of your knee if it’s injured. It will be possible to judge if the ligaments have not been tampered with.
How to help yourself before a medical visit? Ad hoc home remedies
First of all, the leg should be properly positioned in such a way that the knee is above the hip joint. Severe pain is usually relieved by reliever painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. It is worth making a cold compress. However, ice should not be applied directly to the skin – it is better to wrap it in a towel to avoid frostbite. Another folk remedy is to cover the knee with broken cabbage leaves, which can help reduce joint swelling.
Pain relief will be provided by compressing the knee with a bandage, which can be purchased at a rehabilitation equipment store. An ordinary elastic bandage will also help temporarily.