Fluid in the synovium of the knee joint indicates a pathological process. A variety of treatment methods are used to relieve pain and restore knee mobility.
The normal functioning of the knee joints is ensured by a complex mechanism of functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Accumulating fluid in the knee joint can partially or completely limit its movement and also cause significant physical pain. The problem must be solved quickly, otherwise there is a risk of irreversible processes and disability.
The bones, muscles and tendons that form the knee joint are covered with a special membrane - synovial. It is practically impenetrable, serves as a kind of shock absorber, protecting the joint from damage, and ensures its physiological mobility.
The cells covering the synovial membrane secrete a liquid lubricant into the joint space, allowing the bone and cartilage surfaces to function freely. If such fluid is produced more or less than normal, physical pain of varying intensity occurs, and pathological changes in the cartilage and bone tissue of the knee occur.
There are several main factors why synovial fluid in the knee begins to secrete in larger volumes than necessary. Experts identify the following reasons:
The accumulated liquid may be cloudy or clear and have different colors (white, red, pink, yellow). It all depends on the cause of synovitis. A cloudy, yellowish liquid indicates the infectious nature of the inflammation; a pink or red color indicates hemorrhage inside the synovial cavity due to injury or a blood clotting disorder.
The complex structure of the knee joint and the heavy loads it experiences make it vulnerable. Sports, potentially dangerous types of work, and accidents are common causes of injuries. After a knee injury, fluid accumulates inside the synovium for 2-3 days.
Osteomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, bacterial sepsis are infectious causes that cause fluid accumulation in the knee joint. Bacterial infection of the knee joint can occur as a result of open or closed injury. Rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis and gout cause physiological changes in the functioning of the knee joint, causing the formation of significant volumes of fluid in the synovium.
Malignant tumors and sarcoma, which are localized in bone and cartilage tissue, cause significant changes in the function of the knees and cause the appearance of fluid. Fluid in the knee joint may appear due to an inadequate reaction of the body in response to the penetration of an allergen or an autoimmune process. Blood clotting disorders, including hemophilia, lead to the filling of the synovial cavity with red fluid.
Typically, synovitis affects one knee. Common symptoms of fluid accumulation in the knee:
In cases of infectious diseases, there is an increase in body temperature and redness of the skin in the knee area. Symptoms of the disease due to the bacterial nature of the pathology are characterized by severe pain. Analysis of fluid extracted from the synovial cavity indicates purulent contents.
When a long-term pathological process occurs, the knee joint becomes irreversibly deformed. Symptoms of chronic synovitis are characterized by pain of low intensity, aggravated by physical activity and in weather-sensitive people.
There are several treatment options for conditions associated with fluid accumulation in the knee. Treatment must eliminate the causes and symptoms of the disease. What to do in each specific case should be determined by the attending physician based on the results of the examination and diagnosis.
Conservative treatment aims to relieve the symptoms of fluid accumulation in the knee joint, and in case of infectious and allergic diseases, to eliminate the causes of the pathology. The list of medications is determined by the doctor.
Symptoms of pain and inflammation can be relieved with the help of drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Preparations of ibuprofen, paracetamol, diclofenac, ketoprofen, indomethacin eliminate pain, inflammation, and reduce temperature.
Treatment with antibiotics effectively eliminates purulent inflammation. Antimicrobial drugs are prescribed after determining the sensitivity of the bacteria that caused the pathology. A bacterial culture of material taken from the affected joint should be done. This will allow you to select an antibiotic with maximum effectiveness and quickly cope with the disease.
Treatment with antihistamines is used when the cause of fluid in the knee joints is associated with autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis. Suprastin and tavegil are used. In severe cases, injections of glucocorticoid drugs can be given: dexamethasone, prednisolone, betamethasone. Sometimes such injections are performed directly into the joint.
Treatment with conservative methods does not always give the expected result. If the volume of synovial fluid is significant, the pathological process is prolonged and leads to changes in the structure of the joint, surgical methods of therapy are resorted to. Treatment involves suctioning fluid directly from the joint. Only a doctor can do this using a special syringe.
After fluid is removed from the synovium, an antibiotic is administered to prevent bacterial complications. Sometimes glucocorticoids may be prescribed. When fluid in the knee joint has caused its deformation, prosthetics are indicated. Over the past years, surgery has been the most successful way to get rid of pain and defects associated with diseases of the musculoskeletal system and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Treatment of conditions associated with fluid accumulation in the knee always depends on the causes of the pathology and is determined by the doctor.
The fluid in the knee joint (other names: synovium, synovial fluid) is a thick elastic mass that fills the joint cavity. This is a kind of joint lubricant that performs a shock-absorbing function: it prevents friction of articulating articular surfaces, protects articular structures from wear, and provides nutrition to the cartilage and metabolism with it.
This fluid is produced by the epithelial cells of the synovium of the joint capsule. Normally, its content does not exceed 2–3 ml.
Excessive production of synovial fluid (also called “effusion”) is not a separate disease; this is just one of the manifestations of injury or inflammation (of the synovial bursa or other element of the knee joint).
Due to injuries, acute synovitis, bursitis and other inflammatory diseases of the joints, less often due to an allergic reaction to a certain type of allergen, the production of synovium increases, it accumulates in the synovial cavity, accompanied by local swelling, pain and other symptoms.
Depending on the cause of its excessive production, the composition of the liquid changes. She may be:
The knee is one of the largest supporting joints, so it is more susceptible to injury and overload than many others. The likelihood of accumulation of excess fluid in its joint cavity due to similar reasons is higher than, for example, in the ankle, shoulder or small joints.
The patient's quality of life varies in relation to the severity of the underlying disease or injury. Excess synovial fluid plus inflammation leads to limited movement in the damaged joint, affecting motor activity. It is also possible that the pain may intensify when walking and even occur at rest when standing while supporting the affected leg.
Treatment of pathologies and injuries that lead to excess effusion is carried out by a traumatologist, rheumatologist, arthrologist or surgeon.
Regardless of the root cause of the disease, it is important to begin treatment as early as possible. Otherwise, irreversible changes in the cartilage tissue and synovium may develop, which will inevitably lead to impaired motor function of the leg. With purulent inflammation, the development of life-threatening sepsis cannot be ruled out.
Further from the article you will learn about the specific causes of pathological production of joint fluid, the symptoms accompanying this condition, and methods of conservative and surgical treatment.
Excessive effusion can be a sign of many diseases and conditions. The table lists specific types of injuries and illnesses that can lead to this problem:
Injuries: falling to the knee, blow, landing on your feet from a great height
Fracture of articular bones (femur or tibia in the area of the knee joint, patella);
Inflammatory and degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the joints
Arthritis: rheumatoid, septic, gouty and other types
Other diseases and conditions
Hemophilia (a rare pathology associated with a disorder of blood clotting)
Synovitis of the knee - inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint - one of the reasons for the increased production of synovial fluid
Fluid in the knee joint begins to be actively produced not immediately after an injury or the onset of inflammation, but after some time. Symptoms in each case vary depending on the specific cause, but there are common signs, the intensity of which may vary for each patient:
An acute inflammatory process (arthritis) in the knee joint is always accompanied by severe pain, the intensity of which increases when you touch or move the leg. Chronic arthritis is manifested by a pain syndrome of moderate intensity: often the pain has a wave-like character with periods of subsidence and resumption.
Purulent synovitis is characterized by throbbing pain and a feeling of fullness from inside the affected knee joint.
Often the patient’s condition worsens due to the addition of symptoms of general intoxication.
The degree of swelling varies from mild swelling to a sharp increase in the volume of the knee joint.
With swelling, the shape of the knee joint is deformed; the articular capsule, stretched due to the accumulation of a large amount of effusion, can come out on the sides of the kneecap. Swelling around the patella is visually noticeable. Upon palpation, the doctor identifies signs of fluctuation—excessive accumulation of fluid in the cavity bounded by the synovial membrane. The greater the volume of accumulated effusion, the greater the limitation of knee functions.
With a severe injury, swelling first appears, severe pain at rest and with movement, redness of the skin, and a subcutaneous hematoma forms. On the second or third day, excess fluid begins to accumulate in the knee joint.
When bones are fractured with rupture of blood vessels, blood flows into the joint cavity, and hemarthrosis develops. In this case, acute throbbing pain intensifies when attempting any movement in the knee.
When diagnosing, the doctor is faced with the task of determining the cause of excess production of joint fluid.
“Manual” examination for the presence of excess fluid in the joint cavity: when you press on the kneecap, it “sinks” into the bone all the way, and when you release your hands, it “floats up”.
Other diagnostic methods:
X-ray of the knee joint
Arthrocentesis - puncture of the joint capsule with suction of fluid for examination
CT or MRI (if necessary)
Biopsy of the synovial membrane (if indicated) for its examination
Pneumoarthrography: oxygen, carbon dioxide or atmospheric air is injected into the joint, and then a series of x-rays are taken. This diagnostic method is prescribed when the radiograph is insufficiently informative.
As such, treatment of excess synovial fluid production is primarily treatment of the underlying disease.
(if the table is not completely visible, scroll to the right)
Immobilization of the knee joint
Tight bandaging, bandage, dynamic orthosis
1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, injections, ointments.
2. Broad-spectrum antibiotics if inflammation is caused by pathogenic bacteria.
Physiotherapy (after the acute process subsides)
Phonophoresis, ozokerite, UHF, paraffin applications, magnetic therapy
Serious comminuted fractures of the knee joint bones or diseases that cannot be treated conservatively require surgical intervention. Fluid in the knee is removed during arthroscopy. Also, effusion is pumped out from the joint cavity using a needle. To eliminate inflammation, after pumping, an antibiotic or hormonal agent is injected into the joint through the same needle.
Today, a sufficient number of methods have been developed for pumping out excess joint fluid, but remember that this is only a manifestation of the underlying disease, the timely treatment of which will help prevent the activation of effusion production. It is impossible to eliminate the root cause only by removing synovial fluid - the fluid will continue to accumulate again.
Author: Nadezhda Martynova
At the top of the comments feed are the last 25 question-answer blocks. I answer only those questions where I can give practical advice in absentia - this is often impossible without personal consultation.
Hello! I had surgery to remove the outer horn of the meniscus, the inner horn and what kind of folds! Almost 3 months have passed, as expected, the first month I didn’t do any loads at all, only flexion and extension! The second month I started working, the doctor said squat, as a result, I still have a crunch in my knee, fluid is collecting, pain sometimes, when going up and down there is pain and a crunch, do you think everything is normal? I also wanted to know if you often pump fluid out of the knee, will the knee then not get used to such an easy way to extract fluid? And is it worth getting injections to replace fluid in the knee now? Can you tell me what other way to get rid of fluid in the knee besides pumping it out?
Hello, Alexey. No, this is not normal. It was necessary not to squat right away, but to gradually begin to do therapeutic exercises.
There is no other way to remove effusion from a joint, “the knee will NOT get used to it,” don’t worry.
Yes, intra-articular injections are necessary, especially with hyaluronic acid.
Good afternoon, half a year ago I suddenly sat down and my knee twisted to the right, I felt a sharp pain in the inside of my knee. It didn’t bother me for 2 months, then it started to go numb, but without pain, then it went away. Now when I squat there is pain inside the knee. What could it be. I didn't fall, there were no bruises. There was just a sharp turn with the knee and after that it all started. What could it be?
Natalya, it is possible that the ligaments are damaged. Hence the instability and pain. You need to fix the knee, for example, with an elastic bandage (not very tight), give your leg rest, and be sure to undergo treatment. Treatment is prescribed by an orthopedist or traumatologist. It wouldn't hurt to take an x-ray.
Hello colleagues))) one day during training I hung a weight on the toe of my right knee and did pull-ups, nothing happened, then I sparred a little with my partner, there was also no pain in my knees, I didn’t even think about it, and then suddenly the next morning I noticed that my leg was swelling movement becomes difficult then when trying to bend the leg on the outside of the knee I felt pain once, fluid was removed from the knees for two weeks, I wore a cast, they removed it and immediately began to walk, bend my leg but not run)) the fluid probably accumulated again, I know this about 95% when the leg at rest it doesn’t hurt at all, when I just walk it doesn’t hurt either, but when I go up the stairs sharply when moving, the top hurts, what can you advise me?
Hello Khalid. Well, first of all, you would still do an x-ray, just in case. It is painful to climb stairs in several cases: with damaged meniscus, sprained ligaments, after various injuries. The knee apparatus is extremely vulnerable and sensitive to various types of disorders. Often, when exposed to excessive loads, the knees become inflamed, the ligaments become weak, and the cartilage becomes thinner. Even one careless movement can cause acute pain in the knee, which will lead to limitation of motor activity. Any excessive stress on the legs during sports can lead to tendinitis or meniscal tears. If the x-ray does not show a complete rupture, then traditional treatment is prescribed: NSAIDs, analgesics, physiotherapy (laser, magnetic therapy), chondroprotectors, etc.
And to prevent diseases of the knee joints in the future, you need to give up the previous amount of physical activity and find a middle ground.
Hello! He suffered a knee injury, an MRI showed a contusion of the lateral condyle with an area of moderately pronounced reactive edema in its posterolateral sections. The posterior cruciate ligament is deformed, partially angulated, probably with a violation of the integrity of individual fibers. Both collateral ligaments are significantly swollen. The anterior cruciate ligament is without distinct damage. The menisci are somewhat thickened, without visible breaks. Tear of the pterygoid folds with fragmentation and fluid leaks in the dorsal parts of the infrapartial fat body of Hoffa. There is effusion in the joint cavity and synovial bursa.
The fluid was pumped out of the joint twice, the second time it was insignificant. The leg was immobilized with a splint for almost two months. Decongestant ointments and 10 sessions of UHF and magnetic therapy were used.
Four weeks ago, the doctor told me to remove the splint, put on a knee brace with stiffening ribs when walking, and start working out my leg. I have been working out for three weeks, there is a slight pain in the knee joint, as if next to the kneecap on the inside, when walking there is also a slight moderate pain. The traumatologist discharged me, he claims that with these injuries I should already be able to walk without any restrictions, that I have nothing serious, but I have certain doubts about his competence. I went to another doctor, he pumped more fluid out of the knee, but according to him, not very much. I prescribed Nivesil for 10 days. Also, the traumatologist prescribed a course of paraffin. After a week and a half, I went to the doctor again, because the swelling subsided very slightly, the knee was noticeably swollen at the top of the knee joint. The doctor pumped out the liquid again today, there was a little more of it, and it was no longer transparent, but with a reddish tint. He gave an injection of dipropsan. He said that this should help. And he prescribed 7 days of treatment with Arcoxia.
Now the actual questions -
1. Is it normal for fluid to form in the knee with such an injury and prolonged immobility of the knee? Can a course of paraffin treatment cause the fluid to reappear? And why did it acquire a reddish tint? Is it possible because I began to work my leg too intensely?
2. The swelling in the knee has not completely gone away, is this normal for such an injury?
3. Should treatment prescribed by another doctor bring results?
If you don’t mind, please provide answers to my questions, I would be very grateful!
Hello, Igor. Yes, fluid often appears with such and similar injuries and has to be pumped out. Due to intensive development, there may have been blood contamination. Exercises should be started gradually, gradually increasing the load. After a while the swelling should go down. Ask for physical therapy, such as magnets or lasers. It is difficult to judge the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment in advance, because everything is individual.
Good afternoon Bring clarity to my head, otherwise I’m all exhausted already. I had ultrasound scans of my knees twice, grade 0-1. X-ray shows no pathologies. All tests are normal: biochemistry, OAC, RF, ACP, chlamydia, etc. I went for an MRI, but the diagnosis was not confirmed, but mild synovitis and bursitis were found. Tendonitis of the patellar ligament. The rheumatologist shrugs. Where should I go next and what should I do? I'm not an athlete, where can such changes in my knees come from? 25 years old, weight 60, height 175. Thank you.
Hello, Natalia. The difference in the names of the diagnosis lies entirely on the conscience and qualified experience of diagnostic doctors, who sometimes simply lack such experience. You also need to keep in mind that MRI is a more informative research method, rather than ultrasound. So treat tendinitis and bursitis. In the initial stages, they respond well to healing. Moreover, all your tests are normal.
Thank you very much, you helped me, may the Almighty give you health, happiness, prosperity, good luck
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are trying! )
Hello! I have a small amount of fluid accumulated under my right kneecap. There is no pain, I can walk freely, even run. Is this dangerous and what should I do and what should I not do?
Hello, Alexander. If the swelling is only slightly and there is no pain, try applying a fresh cabbage leaf with honey all day, or at night, in between, apply Diclofenac ointment. It should go away if there is nothing serious. If you don’t see any improvement within 5 days, go to an orthopedist and get an x-ray.
Good afternoon, thank you very much for helping me so much with answers. I wrote to you. I was examined at the Institute of Rheumatology and they could not diagnose me. They advised me to do scengraphy to do bones. I’m terribly afraid for analysis. They pumped out fluid from one knee and administered Diprospan. It became easier for two weeks. but the pain and swelling have appeared again, my knees hurt, they swell while I continue the examination, I lubricate my knees with Fastum gel and Celebrex, I rarely take severe pain, I don’t know who to go to, what should I do, is it generally not harmful to walk with such effusions in the knees or should I go and pump it out? Could you recommend me a good rheumatologist please?
Good day to you too, Kheda. We are an information site, so we cannot give advice on a good rheumatologist. You need to study the patients’ answers yourself, their comments, and ask around in clinics and clinics.
Effusions in the knee joints must be removed, otherwise pain, inflammation and discomfort will be constant, and complications will develop. There is no need to be afraid of scintigraphy. This is a highly informative non-invasive diagnostic method related to nuclear medicine, with the help of which visualization of any organs and tissues is carried out. The features of the anatomical location of the object are assessed, its functional state is determined, and various pathological changes are identified that cannot be detected with other research methods.
Hello. My father is 75, not everything is fine with his heart; in his “youth” he had rheumatism and radiculitis. Recently he has been complaining of pain in the wheel joint. The therapist from the regional village has been unable to give me a referral to an orthopedist for a month now! My father could not stand it, he found some paid clinic where they took an X-ray and told him that there was fluid in the wheel joint. They suggested pumping out the fluid, then injecting some medicine, and then injecting the medicine into the joint several more times. All the fun is about 50 thousand! I heard that the medicine is administered only once. Could this be a money scam?!
Svetlana, the doctor decides on the need to pump out the fluid individually, but if there is too much of it and it hinders movement, the fluid must be pumped out. Intra-articular injections are rarely given as a single treatment and are usually a series of therapeutic treatments. The doctor also decides how many injections are needed, based on the general condition of the joint, the causes of fluid, complications caused, etc.
You can try a traditional medicine recipe at home: wash fresh beets and peel them. Next, it is grated. Wrap it in a cloth and apply it to the affected knee overnight. Compresses are applied until recovery.
Or, before going to bed, apply the flesh of a fresh pumpkin to your knee, wrap it in polyethylene, insulate it with a scarf and keep it there until the morning. Apply a compress until recovery.
My knee was swollen and it hurt a lot. I drank Nimesil and went to the doctor. X-ray, blood test. A diagnosis of early stage arthrosis was made. On the second day the pain is no longer so severe. The doctor suggested pumping out the fluid and infusing diprospan. But I’m afraid, they say that if you pump it once, you’ll have to pump it all the time. What to do? Thank you.
Natalya, don’t listen to your “neighbors”, but do everything that the doctor recommends to you. He knows better.
Good afternoon, I have been diagnosed with gonarthrosis of the knee joint, now swelling has appeared, they said the fluid needs to be pumped out, I don’t want to (I wanted to know with drugs that inflammation can be treated and the fluid can return to normal on its own? What drugs can be used to treat it?
Heda, regardless of the cause of the effusion, the essence of treatment initially consists of anesthesia and puncture, especially in cases where there is a lot of it. If the effusion is small, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed in the form of ointments/gels, compresses with Dimexide. If the puncture is not performed, there may be increased pain and inflammation, swelling will increase, and the disease will become more complicated.
Hello! 1.5 weeks ago the fluid was pumped out and a Kenalog injection was given. My knee hurts. How quickly should the pain go away or did something go wrong? What ointments can I use? I went to the doctor, she prescribed airtal powder. Thank you!
Hello, Lyuba. For what reason was the liquid pumped out? What diagnosis have you been given? You haven't indicated anything, so I have nothing to answer you.
For pain, it is better to use complex ointments, that is, those containing both anti-inflammatory components and analgesics. In pharmacies today the choice is simply amazing, including in price. You can treat with Toad Stone ointment and Ibuprofen.
Hello, today, due to my profession, I ran sharply and at a very fast pace! And he fell with his knee on a metal pipe. After which the knee does not bend and straightens with pain. And when you put stress on it, it starts to hurt! The doctor says it's a normal bruise, but I don't think so
Hello. In such cases, it was necessary to ask for an x-ray, or even better, an MRI. You could actually seriously damage your meniscus.
Hello. I’ve been running for 20 minutes every day for 7 years (I’m now 28 years old). I can’t for the last two months because my right knee hurts with maximum extension and flexion, when leaning on the knee; slight swelling is present. There were no falls or bruises. The therapist, apart from painkillers and ibuprofen, does not know what to treat. She was treated with meloxicam for 3 weeks. There is no effect from any treatment. Ultrasound conclusion: signs of synovitis of the right knee joint.
what could this be? please advise what to do.
Tatyana, you do not need a therapist, but an orthopedist or traumatologist. It is necessary to do an x-ray, preferably an MRI and/or CT scan, a clinical examination and special tests are important.
The same symptoms develop in a variety of diseases: arthrosis, arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, etc. Each disease requires an individual approach to treatment, and treatment is effective when it is comprehensive. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors, massages, and physiotherapy are prescribed. Ointments containing diclofenac sodium are prescribed. For example, the drugs Ortofen, Voltaren, etc. (used to relieve inflammation). The ointment is applied in a thin layer to the damaged area 2 – 3 times a day. Bystrum gel or Fastum gel are suitable for pain relief.
Other popular anti-inflammatory drugs: Indomethacin, Butadione ointment 5% and Apizartron.
Hello! I have been experiencing pain in my knee joint for many years after a fracture in childhood. The diagnosis is arthrosis. Often the joint becomes swollen. The condition worsened after receiving 3 injections of Synocrom 2 months ago. (injections were given during an exacerbation period). Now the treating traumatologist assures that everything will go away with time, although the knee does not straighten. And during a consultation with a paid specialist, they suggested pumping out hyaluronic acid. I did an ultrasound - fluid -1.15 cm and Baker's cyst - 1.64 - 0.18 mm. The ultrasound specialist recommends simply treating it without any surgical intervention. What to do? Thank you.
Svetlana, your doctor is right. Injections inside the joint take a long time to dissolve, sometimes within a year, and your joints with arthrosis need hyaluronic acid.
If the Baker's cyst is small, conservative treatment is possible. Surgery is prescribed in extreme cases.
Modern medicine knows a huge number of diseases in which fluid accumulates in the knee joint. In case of delay in treatment, the consequence of this process may be a violation of motor function.
A tough, impermeable connective tissue synovium surrounds the bony joint and muscle tendons in the knee. It serves to limit the mobility of the joint and to protect it from possible damage. With the help of epithelial cells of the inner layer of the membrane, a special fluid is secreted inside the joint space, which is a lubricant for the cartilaginous surfaces that come into contact during the movement of the legs and absorbs external shocks.
The lack of fluid in the knee joint and its excess are considered a pathology, because this is a disruption of the normal functioning of the joint and causes pain of varying intensity.
The accumulation of fluid in the knee joint causes inflammation of the synovium, which is called “synovitis.” The reasons for its development are different:
Fluid accumulation in the knee joint
Clinical symptoms of fluid in the knee joint are as follows:
fluid accumulation in the leg
Treatment in the acute period of the disease begins with providing the injured limb with maximum rest. In this case, it is recommended to keep the leg in a half-bent position, placing a soft cushion or high pillow under it to relax the muscles.
The complex treatment of synovitis, in which fluid collects in the knee joint, includes:
In the treatment of purulent arthritis, systemic and intra-articular antibacterial therapy is used . The choice of drug is made depending on the types of pathogenic microorganisms and their sensitivity.
intra-articular antibiotic therapy
In the treatment of aseptic synovitis, dry heat is recommended, as well as compresses based on ichthyol, dimexide and herbal remedies (honey, cabbage leaf, lakonos).
For an injury that causes excess fluid to accumulate in the knee joint, cool packs are used.
When treating purulent synovitis, ointments are applied, which contain antiseptic, antibacterial and absorbable components.
Fluid is pumped out of the knee joint during joint puncture, after which an antibiotic or steroidal anti-inflammatory drug is injected into it. Fluid in the knee joint cannot be ignored, since the disease can become chronic and lead to impaired motor function of the joint.
The accumulation of fluid in the joints is a problem that requires immediate intervention by a specialist. The absence of acute pain and other pronounced symptoms is not yet a reason to take the problem lightly.
The importance of timely diagnosis and surgical treatment lies in the fact that the accumulation of fluid in the joints can be caused by many diseases, both direct, such as arthritis, and those that seem to have nothing to do with the joints, for example, viral diseases.
Moreover, most pathologies that affect joints, if not treated in a timely manner, can leave an indelible mark on a person’s health and normal functioning: cause chronic pain and discomfort in movement.
To prevent this, you need to monitor the health of your joints, not subject your body to excessive physical stress, try to avoid injuries, do therapeutic exercises and preventive procedures. And if a problem arises, immediately seek help from specialists.
Common symptoms include the following:
swelling of the joint area: can be very pronounced or almost invisible;
constrained movements: if a large amount of fluid has accumulated, movements become difficult and sometimes even impossible;
There are several different infectious diseases that can cause fluid to accumulate in the joints. Do not underestimate a simple bruise, which can lead to serious complications.
A general list of causes of fluid accumulation in joints is as follows:
Thus there is:
Bursitis is a disease that can be classified as “occupational”. It often affects people whose activities involve constant stress on individual joints. This primarily applies to athletes, miners, jewelers, watchmakers, some musicians, etc.
Arthritis is the general name for a group of joint diseases. A common feature of arthritic diseases is the inflammatory form.
Arthritis occurs for the following reasons:
consequences of mechanical damage to the joint;
At risk are people who eat poorly, lead a sedentary lifestyle, are overweight and live in areas with poor ecology.
Arthrosis is a joint disease that can occur for two reasons: natural aging of the body and wear and tear of the joints, or a previous injury. Arthrosis occurs in two stages. In the first stage, painful sensations occur and the amount of fluid near the joint decreases significantly. On the second, on the contrary, fluid begins to accumulate, sometimes excessively, forming swelling around the damaged joint.
Synovitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the synovium of the joint and causes painful symptoms and fluid accumulation.
Synovitis can occur for the following reasons:
Aseptic inflammation occurs in most cases due to injury, hypothermia, or as a result of an infectious disease. The fluid that accumulates in the joint, due to aseptic inflammation, does not contain any purulent or viral microorganisms.
Purulent inflammation occurs after the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the joint. Depending on the type of harmful bacteria, chlamydia, tuberculosis, dysentery, gonorrhea and staphylococcal purulent inflammation are distinguished.
Fluid can accumulate in the knee joint for the following reasons:
The accumulation of fluid in the joints is a problem that requires immediate intervention by a specialist. The absence of acute pain and other pronounced symptoms is not yet a reason to take the problem lightly. The importance of timely diagnosis and surgical treatment lies in the fact that the accumulation of fluid in the joints can be caused by many diseases, both direct, such as arthritis, and those that seem to have nothing to do with the joints, for example, viral diseases.
Depending on the cause of the fluid accumulation and which joint it has accumulated in, symptoms may vary in each case.
Common symptoms include the following:
pain of different nature: sharp, aching, dull;
increase in body temperature: can be either local, in the area of the damaged joint, or general;
subcutaneous compaction in the joint area;
Sometimes there may be headaches or even chills if the fluid accumulation is caused by an infection.
A general list of causes of fluid accumulation in joints is as follows:
Joint bursitis is a disease that can be caused by injury or infection. Bursitis provokes the occurrence of an inflammatory process in the synovial (periarticular) bursa, which is accompanied by the accumulation of fluid. The disease is divided into several types depending on which joint is affected.
Thus there is:
Arthritis occurs for the following reasons:
constant loads on one muscle group.
Synovitis can occur for the following reasons:
Immune inflammation with the release of synovial fluid occurs mainly as a consequence of previous diseases or severe allergic reactions.
Fracture of joint bones. This severe damage also causes fluid to form in the joint area and swelling.
Hemoarthrosis is internal bleeding into a joint. In this case, it is not effusion that accumulates in the joint, but blood. This pathology can occur due to mechanical damage.
Fluid in the knee joint can occur for many reasons. In the first place are injuries, since the knee is most often subjected to serious stress and is also one of the most mobile joints.
Fluid can accumulate in the knee joint for the following reasons:
The knee joint is one of the most complex joints in our body. Every day a colossal load is placed on the knees, but a person does not feel this if the joints are healthy. If any disease develops or injury occurs, the function of the joint is impaired. A person experiences pain or other unpleasant sensations when moving, which leads to a decrease in quality of life, and in some cases even to disability.
One of the common symptoms that is observed in many diseases and injuries of the knee is swelling and an increase in the volume of the joint, and, as a rule, fluid accumulates in the knee joint. Why this happens, what to do in this case and whether such a phenomenon is dangerous will be discussed in this article.
The knee joint with all its anatomical components is enclosed in a dense connective tissue joint capsule. The inner surface of this capsule is called the synovium (synovium). It consists of a single layer of epithelial cells that produce synovial fluid.
For the normal functioning of the joint, this fluid is very important, despite the fact that its amount is very tiny (2-3 ml). This is a transparent or slightly yellowish thick elastic mass that fills the joint cavity and acts as an intra-articular lubricant. It prevents friction of the articular surfaces of bones and premature wear and destruction of hyaline cartilage, ensures mobility, and has shock-absorbing capabilities (dampens external shocks, protecting joint components from damage).
The amount of fluid in the knee is normal and with the development of synovitis
Also, synovial fluid nourishes the cartilage of the joint, since it does not have its own blood vessels and receives all the necessary substances by diffusion from the intra-articular fluid.
Both a lack of this fluid and its excess are dangerous to health. In both cases, the function of the joint is disrupted and a person’s motor activity suffers.
It is important to understand that fluid accumulation in the knee joint is not a separate disease, but only a symptom of a large number of pathological conditions, both injuries and diseases (acute or chronic).
For some reason, the synovium becomes inflamed, thickens, becomes impermeable and begins to produce excess fluid. This leads to its accumulation in the joint cavity, swelling, an increase in the volume of the joint, loss of its function, and pain. Doctors call this condition synovitis, and the accumulation of fluid itself is called hydrarthrosis; if blood accumulates in the joint cavity, then this condition is called hemarthrosis.
Depending on the composition of the fluid, synovitis can have a different character:
Depending on the duration of the disease, acute and chronic forms are distinguished. Depending on the reason why fluid collects in the knee joint, synovitis can be:
You should be aware that fluid can collect not only in the articular cavity of the knee joint. This joint has several additional synovial cavity structures (bursae). They protect the connection and perform shock-absorbing functions. Liquid can accumulate separately in the cavities of such joint capsules. In such a situation we are talking about bursitis.
Green indicates the bursa of the knee joint, each of which can become inflamed and serve as a reservoir for fluid accumulation
List of diseases that most often lead to fluid accumulation in the knee joint:
If after a thorough examination the cause of synovitis cannot be detected, then they speak of an idiopathic variant of the disease.
Typically, one knee is affected. Synovitis may occur acutely or may progress over several days, weeks, or even months.
Acute post-traumatic synovitis of the knee joint
Signs that indicate increased formation of intra-articular fluid and its accumulation in the joint cavity:
If a chronic form of synovitis occurs and no measures are taken to treat it, the joint begins to deform. This leads to persistent impairment of motor function and disability.
Joint deformity due to recurrent hemarthrosis in a patient with hemophilia
The tactics and choice of treatment for fluid accumulation in the knee joint depends on the cause that caused the disorder and the rate of increase in symptoms. Synovitis can be treated conservatively and surgically.
Conservative therapy is prescribed not only to eliminate the symptom, that is, accumulated fluid, but also to remove the cause that caused it.
A tight elastic bandage or orthosis is applied to the affected joint. This eliminates mobility in the joint, which can contribute to the progression of the disease. At this stage of therapy, any physical activity is strictly prohibited. Strict bed rest is prescribed.
Almost all patients are prescribed drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They eliminate pain, help reduce the activity of the inflammatory process, lead to stabilization and then regression of clinical symptoms. In the case of a chronic process, glucocorticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed for injection directly into the cavity of the diseased joint.
If synovitis is infectious in nature, then antibacterial agents must be prescribed. If the symptoms are caused by an allergic process, then antihistamines are included in the treatment program. In the case of autoimmune pathology (rheumatoid arthritis, etc.), cytostatics, corticosteroids and other basic anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
In case of hemarthrosis, special hemostatic drugs are prescribed. Patients with hemophilia are given deficient clotting factors.
When it is possible to remove the signs of active inflammation, they resort to a rehabilitation period. Physical therapy and various physical procedures are prescribed.
Arthrocentesis of the knee joint
Unfortunately, conservative therapy does not always bring the desired effect. If the volume of fluid is significant and there is no effect from the medications used, then surgical treatment is used. For this purpose, 2 procedures are carried out:
To summarize, it must be said that in order to successfully treat effusion in the knee joint, you need to find its cause. Only complex therapy can prevent recurrent synovitis and its consequences. Therefore, if you identify such a problem, be sure to undergo a comprehensive examination.