Description:
Swollen knee occurs when excess synovial fluid accumulates in or around the knee joint. Your doctor might refer to this condition as an effusion (ih-FYU-zhen) in your knee joint. Some people call this condition “water on the knee.”
A swollen knee may be the result of trauma, overuse injuries, or an underlying disease or condition. To determine the cause of the swelling, your doctor might need to obtain a sample of the fluid to test for infection, disease or injury.
Removing some of the fluid also helps reduce the pain and stiffness associated with the swelling. Once your doctor determines the underlying cause of your swollen knee, appropriate treatment can begin.
Symptoms:
*Swelling. The skin around your kneecap can puff up noticeably, especially when you compare the affected knee to the normal one.
*Stiffness. When your knee joint contains excess fluid, you might not be able to bend or straighten your leg completely.
*Pain. Depending on the cause of the fluid buildup, the knee might be very painful — to the point that it’s difficult or impossible to bear weight on it.
Causes:
Factors why people gets into this type of problem:
*Age. Your likelihood of developing a swollen knee related to arthritis increases as you age.
*Sports. People who participate in sports that involve twisting the knee, such as basketball, are more likely to experience the types of knee injuries that cause swelling.
*Obesity. Excess weight puts added stress on the knee joint, contributing to the tissue and joint overload and knee degeneration that can lead to a swollen knee. Obesity increases your risk of osteoarthritis, one of the more frequent causes of knee swelling.
Many types of problems, ranging from traumatic injuries to diseases and other conditions, can cause a swollen knee.
*Injuries
*Damage to any part of your knee can cause excess joint fluid to accumulate. Injuries that can cause fluid buildup in and around the knee joint include:
*Torn ligament, particularly the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
*Cartilage (meniscus) tear
*Irritation from overuse
*Broken bones
May cause due to the following diseas:
*Osteoarthritis
*Rheumatoid arthritis
*Infection
*Gout
*Pseudogout
*Bursitis
*Cysts
*Tumors
Diagnosis:
Blood tests:
If the knee is swollen and red and warm to the touch when compared to the other knee, a doctor may be concerned about inflammation due to rheumatoid arthritis or a crystalline arthritis, such as gout or pseudogout, or joint infection. Besides sending the joint fluid to a laboratory for analysis, blood tests may requested to determine a white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and perhaps the level of C-reactive protein or uric acid. If blood tests reveal Lyme disease antibodies forming, the condition may be attributed to it.
Joint aspiration:
Also known as arthrocentesis, this procedure includes withdrawal of fluid from inside the knee for analysis such as cell count, culture for bacteria, and examination for crystals, such as uric acid or calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate ram crystals found in gout or pseudogout.
Imaging:
An X-ray is useful to verify that there is no break or dislocation when there is a history of trauma. May show signs of osteoarthritis.
MRI:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging detects abnormalities of the bone or knee joint, such as a tear in the ligaments, tendons or cartilage.
Treatment:
Treatment of fluid in the knee depends on the underlying cause of the swelling. Before you go for any treatment it’s important to find the cause behind the pain. You may need blood work and X-rays to rule out more serious possibilities. The sooner you get to the root of the problem, the sooner you’ll be on the road to recovery.
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are two supplements that saw widespread popularity over the past decade due to commercial advertisements claiming they promote joint health. Research has shown that the combination had minimal effect on pain for those with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. However, both supplements did appear to benefit people who had more severe pain.
Herbal & natural treatment:
1. First try RICE for strains and sprains:
*Rest
*Ice
*Compression
*Elevation
*Get off your feet and apply a cold compress or bag of ice to the knee. Frozen vegetables, such as peas, will also work if you have no ice handy. Wrap your knee with a compression bandage to prevent swelling, but not so tightly it cuts off circulation. While you’re resting, keep your foot elevated.
2. Exercise and weight management
Daily exercise to keep the joint moving reduces knee pain in some people. For those with arthritis, keeping the leg stationary or reducing the range of motion to avoid pain can stiffen the joint and make matters worse. Being overweight can aggravate the problem as well, so weight management is important.
Daily morning walk may give lot of improvement.
3. Heat and cold therapy:
Using a heating pad to rest your knee when reclining can help to keep the joint from stiffening up. Wrapping a gel-style cold pack or cool compress around it can reduce pain and swelling. Alternate between cold and heat. Use cold more often during the first 24 hours after the injury.
4.Try acupuncture:
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical treatment that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on your body. This is supposed to reroute energies and restore balance in your body. Acupuncture is the most researched complementary therapy and is recommended by the World Health Organization for treatment of over 100 different conditions.
It is thought that acupuncture has the ability to reduce arthritis pain. If you want to explore this treatment method, be sure to find a licensed and certified acupuncturist in your state.
5. Regular yoga and meditation to cope with pain:
Meditation with deep breathing and relaxation techniques may be able to help you reduce pain from arthritis by reducing stress and enabling you to cope with it better. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), studies have found that the practice of mindfulness meditation is helpful for some people with painful joints. Researchers also found that those with depression and arthritis benefitted the most from meditation. When stress is reduced, inflammation and thus swelling and pain drop.
6.Ginger extract:
Ginger is available in many forms. It can be purchased in pre-packaged supplement form at health food or vitamin stores. Ginger root or tea can be found at the grocery store. The spice is used in many cuisines. Health benefits include relief from stomach upset and nausea as well as pain relief for many conditions. A study of people with arthritis found that ginger helped to reduce pain when used in combination with a prescription treatment for arthritis.
7. Willow bark:
A study published in 2001 found that some people with arthritis experienced pain relief using willow bark. The extract is also commonly used by herbalists to treat fever, pain, and inflammation. Do not take willow bark if you have allergies to aspirin or you’re taking blood thinners. Do not give willow bark to children under 4 years old.
8.Turmeric:
Turmeric, the yellow spice common in Indian dishes, contains a chemical called curcumin that may help to reduce arthritis pain. The secret is its anti-inflammatory properties.
The NIH reports that turmeric given to lab rats reduced inflammation in their joints. More research on use of the supplement for humans is needed, but it can’t hurt to add this tasty spice to your dinners. Spice up your life by grabbing some online today.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.This is purely for educational purpose.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knee_effusion
https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-relief/knee-pain-home-remedies
https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/arthritis-natural-relief
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/swollen-knee/symptoms-causes/syc-20378129
