Causes for Joint Effusion

Joint effusion (also known as swollen joints) is a term referred for excess accumulation of water or fluid in the tissues around the joints. This excess fluid causes swelling which can mostly be noticed because of the puffiness of the joint.

The joint fluid is called synovial fluid that reduces the friction between articular cartilage and other tissues in the joint by acting as a lubricant. Further, it also functions as a shock absorber for the joints.

Basically, joint effusion is joint swelling and as this condition mostly appears in the knees, it is also known as 'water on the knee' or 'fluid on the knee'. Although, knee is where this condition mostly prevails, hips and other important joints are also easily affected by this condition.

The causes may range from traumatic injuries such as ligament tear and broken bones to diseases and conditions like osteoarthritis, tumors, gout, etc.

Following conditions are the major causative factors:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the joints. It not only affects them but also causes inflammation of the tissues that are around them. It is one of the autoimmune diseases, which means that the body attacks itself by misconstruing the healthy tissues to be foreign substances.

This disease has the potential to cause functional disability and joint destruction. Loss of appetite, fatigue, warmth or redness in the joints, and fever are some of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Also known as degenerative arthritis, it is caused by the gradual depletion of cartilage (cartilage is a rubbery, firm tissue made of protein substance that cushions the joint bones) of one or more joints. Depletion of cartilage results in joint swelling.

It mostly occurs when aging and it generally affects the large-weight bearing joints such as the knees and the hips. A person affected by this disease has a severe pain in the region.

Another important cause is gout which is again a type of arthritis causing swelling and pain in the joints. It is caused by the deposition of crystals or uric acid in the affected joints. The deposits of uric acid are called tophi that appear like lumps under the skin.

Gout is one of the most painful types of arthritis that mostly affects the big toe. Besides, the big toe it can also affects knees, ankles, fingers, wrists, and elbows.

It is the inflammation of one or more small sacs called bursae of synovial fluid in the body. It is caused by excessive pressure and continuous movement. Unlike other joint pain, bursitis causes a burning pain in the joint area, around the inflamed bursae.

The excess of fluid buildup in the joints is a result of the aforementioned diseases and conditions. Apart from these, it also builds as a result of bone infections such as osteomyelitis, viral, bacterial, and fungal infections in the joint fluid and other traumas and injuries like fractures and sprains.

Tumors and cysts in the body also result in excess accumulation of the fluid. The causes for knee and hip joint effusion are the same, as both are caused due to excess synovial fluid in the knee and hip joints. Only in the case of septic arthritis, the person has severe pain in the groin and is unable to move the hip due to swelling.

Some of the common symptoms include swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints. Swelling can be easily identified with the puffiness that one observes around the joints. Experiencing unbearable pain when applying pressure on the joints is another sign.

One would also get a sense of stiffness in the joints as compared to otherwise, as a result of which it would be difficult to straighten or bend them like normally. The affected area is also found to be warm and red in most cases.

After studying the medical history of the affected person, X-rays, blood tests, and sample tests of the joint fluids are administered by the doctors for accurate diagnosis. Treatment varies depending on the effusion.

If the pain and the swelling is not severe then some self care tips like applying ice on the affected area, using snug bandages, or compression wraps could come in handy. One can opt for non-steroidal, over-the-counter and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the swelling, if the condition is not severe.

Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.