Knee Effusion Treatment

In case you were not aware, every mobile joint in the body, like that in the hips, knees, shoulders, etc., has a small amount of fluid in it. The purpose of this fluid is to lubricate the cartilage surfaces so that they can move smoothly. The fluid also does the work of nourishing and protecting such surfaces.

Now due to factors such as various forms of arthritis, infections, and trauma, excess fluid may get accumulated within or around the knee joint. And this condition is what is known as knee effusion, or 'water on the knee.'

The excess fluid accumulation can give rise to symptoms such as swelling, puffiness of the affected area, feeling of the knee joint getting stiff, and mild to unbearable pain. Common factors which are held responsible for this condition are injuries which cause broken bones, torn meniscus, or tearing of one or more ligaments of the knee.

When we speak of underlying medical conditions that may cause excess fluid to accumulated, then osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis are known to be the most common ones. Other responsible factors could be gout, tumors, cysts, certain infections (commonly caused by bacteria), bursitis or bleeding disorders.

Treatment for Knee Effusion

» The treatment of the problem is driven by its cause. For instance, treatment of chronic knee effusion that is most commonly caused by arthritis, may require the use of Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). And if a bacterial infection has caused the problem, then antibiotics are the first line of treatment.

NSAIDs may also be used in cases wherein the problem has been caused by a trauma. Besides, taking all such medications, the patient may be advised to use heat or cold application on the affected knee.

» In some cases, especially in people with severe arthritis problem, knee effusion may require surgery. In one procedure, the doctor drains the excess fluid from the knee joint thus, relieving pressure. The doctor injects a sterile needle with a syringe within the joint, and sucks back the fluid.

Post the procedure, the patient may be given corticosteroid, in order to treat any inflammation that might occur as a response to the surgical procedure.

» In another procedure, known as knee arthroscopy, the surgeon inserts a long narrow tube into the knee joint. This tube is fitted with a fiber-optic video camera, thus the surgeon can check for any wear and tear inside the joint. With the help of this tool, the surgeon may even repair some types of joint damage that may have caused the knee effusion.

» In some people, the condition can be so severe, that it might make the person unable to bear weight on his/her knee joints. For such people, the doctor recommends Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) - a knee replacement surgery. Here, the affected knee joint is replaced by an artificial (man-made) one.

This procedure helps in diminishing pain to a great extent, reducing stiffness and restore normal range of function of the affected area of the knee.

» At home, the patient is advised to avoid any activities that may cause the knees to bear weight. Resting would help the affected part to heal faster. As I have cited, cold application on the affected part is advised, besides taking the medication.

A bag of ice or a bag of frozen vegetables can be used to put over the knee for no more than 15-20 minutes. This would help in inhibiting swelling and reducing pain. If the affected knee feels sore, then a heating pad can be applied.

» One effective self-care measure to manage knee effusion is keeping the knee at a level that is higher than that of the heart. This will help in reducing the fluid accumulation. It is also advised to keep the knee in the same position, while applying cold therapy as discussed above.

Knee effusion, when left untreated, can immobilize the patient to a great extent. Most importantly, if it has been caused by an infection, and if it is not treated, then permanent joint damage may be one of the likely repercussions.