The reason for the formation of fluid in the knee joint. General signs of synovitis. Symptoms of the chronic stage of the disease

The knee joint is the largest joint in the human body. During walking, the entire body weight acts on the knee.

It is for this reason that injuries in the area of the knee joint are one of the most common in traumatology.

As a rule, all diseases of the knee joint are the result of all kinds of falls, injuries or heavy loads. One of them is considered.

How to understand that the knee began to gain fluid? What are the symptoms?

- this is a fairly common and unpleasant phenomenon that brings discomfort and worsens the quality of life. The main symptoms of accumulation include acute pain, which can increase in the process of movement or when touched.

If the process is accompanied by the accumulation of pus, the pain begins to acquire a pulsating character, in addition, the patient may feel a feeling of fullness in the affected area. If the process has become chronic, painful sensations become permanent, while they are not too pronounced, sometimes they can occur, sometimes they disappear. In a chronic inflammatory process, many patients complain of pain after intense physical exertion, as well as with a sharp change in climatic conditions. The pain is often aching in nature.

Another symptom is swelling of the skin, their puffiness. If the lesion is acute, the knee completely changes its normal shape, and it will be simply impossible to stand on the affected leg.

With an active inflammatory process, the skin turns red, becomes hot in the affected area. Due to the accumulation of fluid, the patient loses motor activity, cannot fully straighten the limb.

If timely treatment is not started with such symptoms, limb deformity, a purulent process, which will lead to complete disability of the patient, may occur.

In what injuries and diseases does it accumulate fluid in the knee?

The most common cause of occurrence fluid in the knee- getting injured. This may be a rupture in the meniscus, fractures of those bones that are responsible for the formation of the joint, damage to the joint capsule. Such injuries can occur both when performing intense physical exercises (for example, during training of athletes), and after hard physical work, lifting heavy objects. Chronic diseases are another reason for the formation of fluid.

Fluid in the knee formed in the following diseases:

Rheumatism.
Arthritis of the rheumatoid type.
Reactive arthritis.
Gout.
Bechterew's disease.
Purulent inflammation with the formation of bursitis.
Allergic reaction to something.

How is the cause diagnosed? fluid in the knee at the doctor's?

Fluid diagnostics in this area is complex and includes the following techniques:

Visual examination (often the accumulation of the substance can be noticed already at the first examination by a doctor).
, blood test for rheumatic factor.
Ultrasound (allows you to identify the amount of accumulated fluid and its location).
X-ray.

Based on the data obtained, it is easy to establish the exact cause of such a phenomenon and direct all efforts to eliminate the underlying disease. It should be noted that modern methods of diagnostic research are distinguished by high accuracy, safety and reliability.

Which doctor should I go to and what will he do? Treatment

If you experience pain and swelling of the knee, you should contact a professional rheumatologist or surgeon as soon as possible. First of all, the specialist performs anesthesia of the affected area, after which the exudate is removed from the joint. After that, the main treatment is prescribed, which can be conservative or surgical.

Drug therapy consists in prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, it helps a lot). Such drugs well eliminate symptoms, relieve inflammation and pain. They can be taken as tablets, injections or ointments.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are taken for several days, remember that they cannot be used constantly, as they adversely affect the organs of the digestive system. In addition, such drugs eliminate only the symptoms, and not the cause of the pathology.

If the process has become purulent, the patient is prescribed a course of antibiotics. Corticosteroids (eg, prednisolone) are also often prescribed. Such drugs have many side effects, so they should be taken under the supervision of a specialist.

To eliminate fluid, a special pumping procedure is used from the joint cavity. In this case, an ordinary syringe is taken, with which you can effectively eliminate swelling and pain. After aspiration has been performed, the surgeon can inject an antibacterial agent into the cavity to eliminate the inflammatory process.

Is it worth it to keep exercising? What sport causes knee injury the most?

Many people who are used to playing sports are interested in the question of whether it is possible to continue their physical activity with fluid in the knee joint. During the period of therapy, any physical activity is prohibited, only short walking is allowed, and in case of an acute inflammatory process, strict bed rest is indicated.

If the disease has not acquired an advanced stage, and after the injury the athlete managed to completely restore the joint, the patient can go in for sports after a while, however, in this case, precautions must be taken so that the fluid does not accumulate again: we are talking about a significant reduction in physical exertion on the legs, choosing the right sports shoes and running surface.

The most dangerous for the knee joints are those types of physical activity that directly affect the lower limbs. Running on a treadmill or on uneven surfaces with illiterate technique and ill-fitting sports shoes is a direct path to rheumatic diseases and sports injuries. The same can be said about those sports in which frequent kicks are provided (for example, in football).

Folk methods from the accumulation of exudate in the knee

The following are common folk methods that can be used at the same time as traditional treatment:

Compress ointment with comfrey herb. Mix a glass of chopped comfrey grass with a glass of natural lard and put in a cool place for five days. After that, apply the ointment under cellophane in the morning and evening.
Laurel oil- Another effective way to remove fluid and relieve swelling. Take two tablespoons of dry chopped bay leaves and a glass of olive oil. The ingredients must be infused in a dark place for a week, then gently rubbed into the affected joint in the morning and evening.

Black walnut tincture- This is a remedy for helminths, since a small number of these organisms can lead to swelling and immobility of the knee joint. The infusion should be taken every day, one teaspoon before meals.
A decoction of rye. Another effective remedy, for the preparation of which you need to take half a glass of rye and running water, bring the broth to a boil, then add 150 ml of vodka and a small amount of natural honey to it. After this, the medicine should be left to infuse for three weeks. The remedy is taken several times a day before eating, it is enough to drink three large spoons.

What can the accumulation of fluid in the knee lead to if no action is taken?

If you do not contact a specialist in a timely manner, fluid in the knee joint will continue to accumulate, leading to severe pain, bloating and swelling. Subsequently, under the influence of exudate, the knee will be deformed, which will lead to the need for surgical intervention.

Without surgery, the limb can completely lose mobility, so the patient will become disabled. If the treatment of the purulent process is not started in time, this can lead to a general infection of the body and even death.

What exercises will help remove fluid from the knee?

If the inflammatory process has passed, as well as in the chronic course of the disease, the patient may be prescribed a course of physiotherapy exercises. Special exercises with a small load on the lower limb will improve the patient's well-being and restore the former flexibility of the joints.

Exercises can consist of flexion and extension of the knee, making rotational movements. At the same time, they can be performed from a lying or standing position, depending on the patient's well-being. Please note that the course of physiotherapy exercises should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist; if pain occurs, it is important to immediately stop physical activity.

Thus, the accumulation of exudate in the knee joint is a common and unpleasant phenomenon that can occur with rheumatic diseases, as well as after injuries. To prevent this phenomenon, the patient is advised to maintain a normal level of physical activity without excessive stress on the joints, as well as to lead a healthy lifestyle in general.

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Accumulation of fluid in the joints is a problem that requires the immediate intervention of a specialist. The absence of acute pain and other pronounced symptoms is not 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, and those that seem to have nothing to do with the joints, for example, viral diseases.

Moreover, most of the pathologies affecting the joints, with untimely treatment, can leave an indelible mark on the health and normal life of a person: cause chronic pain, discomfort in movements.

To prevent this, you need to monitor the health of the joints, not experience the body with excessive physical exertion, try to avoid injuries, do therapeutic exercises and preventive procedures. And in case of a problem, immediately seek help from specialists.

Symptoms of fluid accumulation in joints

Depending on the cause of the accumulation of fluid and in which joint it has accumulated, the symptoms may vary in each case.

Common symptoms include the following:

pain of a different nature: sharp, aching, dull;

swelling of the joint area: it can be very pronounced or almost imperceptible;

constrained movements: if a large amount of fluid has accumulated, movements become difficult, and sometimes completely impossible;

infection;

mental trauma;

consequences of mechanical damage to the joint;

immune disorder;

constant load on one muscle group.

At risk are people who do not eat well, lead a sedentary lifestyle, are overweight and live in areas with poor ecology.

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that can occur for two reasons: natural aging of the body and wear of the joints, or an injury. proceeds in two stages. At the first, painful sensations occur and the amount of fluid near the joint is significantly reduced. On the second, on the contrary, the fluid begins to accumulate and sometimes excessively, forming a swelling around the damaged joint.

Synovitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the synovial membrane of the joint and provokes the appearance of painful symptoms and accumulation of fluid.

Synovitismay 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.

Immune inflammation with the release of synovial fluid occurs mainly as a consequence of previous diseases or severe allergic reactions.

Purulent inflammation occurs after the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the joint. Depending on the type of harmful bacteria, chlamydial, tubercular, dysentery, gonorrheal and staphylococcal purulent inflammation are distinguished.

Fracture of the bones of the joint. This severe damage also results in joint fluid and swelling.

Hemoarthritis is an internal hemorrhage in a joint. In this case, it is not effusion that accumulates in the joint, but blood. This pathology may occur due to mechanical damage.

Fluid in the knee joint can appear for many reasons. Injuries are in the first place, since the knee is most often subjected to serious stress, and is also one of the most mobile joints.

Fluid in the knee joint can accumulate for the following reasons:

meniscus injury;

hemoartosis;

As mentioned above, there are a lot of reasons for the development of each of these diseases. In the case of the knee, it most often comes with an injury or unbearable loads.

Having damaged the knee joint once, in most cases the patient will acquire one of the chronic diseases for life, since the joint can never be completely restored. But this does not mean that the patient will constantly experience discomfort, since in the chronic form of the disease they usually do not have painful and pronounced symptoms.

To prevent exacerbations of diseases, you need to follow the doctor's recommendations and be attentive to the health of the joints in the future.

The most common disease of the knee joint, which is characterized by the accumulation of fluid, is a meniscal injury. This problem is not only found in athletes, as many believe. Serious stress is only one of the reasons for the development of the disease. Much more often, a meniscus occurs due to injury, and no one is immune from this.

Fluid in the elbow joint

Among the most common diseases that lead to the accumulation of fluid in the elbow joint, there are epicondylitis and bursitis. If bursitis is a disease that occurs due to the accumulation of fluid in the joint bag, then epicondylitis is caused by damage to the muscle tissue in those places where it connects to the epicondyles.

These pathologies can develop in the following cases:

prolonged mechanical pressure on the joint area;

injuries, sprains (most often occur during sports training, hard physical work);

excessive unbearable load on the joint, which lasts a long time or is repeatedly repeated;

an occupational disease that occurs due to the chronic position of the joint, for example, in musicians, drivers.

For successful treatment, a diagnosis is first made. With its help, the specialist determines the pathology, the cause of development, as well as the nature of the disease.

Diagnostics consists of the following activities:

general analyses;

if necessary, a puncture of the joint (if purulent or bloody contents of the fluid are detected during the diagnosis).

After the diagnosis, an individual treatment is prescribed, the methods of which are similar to the therapy of injured ankles, knees and other joints.

Swelling of the ankle joint can be caused by a lot more pathologies than in the case of accumulation of fluid in the elbow or knee. The fact is that damage to the ankle joint and, as a consequence, its swelling can occur due to various diseases of the veins. In addition, the aforementioned pathologies, a fracture, and internal hemorrhage can also become the cause of fluid accumulation.

Among the common vein diseases that lead to the accumulation of fluid in the ankle joint are the following:

The force of gravity has led to the fact that the accumulation of fluid in the ankle joint is most noticeable in the transition area of the ankle to the foot.

Determining the presence of excess fluid in the ankle joint is very simple. To do this, just press your thumb on the swelling. If after you remove your finger, the dent remains for a while, then you should immediately consult a doctor.

If the cause of edema is vein diseases and fluid accumulation occurs regularly, then when a relapse occurs, it is recommended to lie on your back and put something under your feet so that your feet are higher than your head. This will help relieve swelling for a while. Then you should visit your doctor.

Regardless of the cause of the accumulation of fluid in the joints, it is necessary to organize a comprehensive treatment to maximize the elimination of the disease and relieve painful symptoms.

Modern medicine is able to provide 2 treatment options.

Operational intervention.

conservative methods of treatment.

Depending on the degree of neglect of the disease, an appropriate method of treatment is prescribed. However, in any case, it will be complex, since even after surgery, a long time is needed for rehabilitation with physiotherapy exercises, manual therapy, and vitamin therapy.

Surgical treatment consists in the following procedure. The doctor inserts a special needle into the cavity of the affected joint, after which the liquid is pumped out with a syringe. In most cases, the procedure is performed without anesthesia. After the fluid is completely pumped out, the doctor injects an antibiotic into the affected area. Pharmacopuncture is mandatory, even if the nature of the inflammation is not infectious.

Conservative treatment involves the following activities:

Anti-inflammatory therapy: drug treatment (taking antibiotics), local treatment (pharmacopuncture, application of anti-inflammatory ointments, gels and other means).

Immunostimulating therapy: taking immunostimulating and restorative drugs, vitamins, calcium.

Physiotherapy and reflexology.

Manual therapy, especially acupressure and acupuncture.

Physiotherapy.

For some diseases, for example, with bursitis or a fracture, the first aid provided by doctors is immobilization, that is, immobilization of the damaged joint. Simply put, the traumatologist applies a cast.

In the case of open lesions, the affected area is treated with an antiseptic, and the patient takes an antibiotic to prevent the development of an infectious and purulent disease.

If we are talking about a chronic disease with regular relapses, then complex treatment should become an integral part of the patient's life. In order to avoid exacerbations of the chronic form and prevent the accumulation of fluid in the joints again, the patient is prescribed a special diet, a set of exercise therapy exercises. The patient must regularly take health courses in medical and preventive sanatoriums.

It is important to understand that the accumulation of fluid in the joints is a problem that can be a symptom of very serious diseases. Therefore, self-treatment and folk methods in this case are not appropriate. Traditional medicine can only be used in combination with conservative methods of therapy and after consultation with the attending physician.

About the doctor: From 2010 to 2016 practicing physician of the therapeutic hospital of the central medical unit No. 21, the city of Elektrostal. Since 2016, she has been working at the diagnostic center No. 3.

All joints contain joint fluid. It is responsible for lubricating the joints, which prevents the bones from rubbing and breaking down quickly. In case of violation of the production of lubrication, various joint diseases develop, such as arthritis, arthrosis and others. In this case, synovial fluid may not be enough, or it may be produced in excess, which is also fraught with the development of pathology.

Articular fluid is produced by epithelial cells localized in the synovial membrane of the joint capsule. The norm is considered to be a constant volume of fluid in the synovial bag - about 2.5 milliliters. Violations of this norm in the direction of decreasing or increasing never arise on their own. A number of factors are known that can provoke a violation of synovial secretion.

The accumulation of fluid in the knee joint is not considered an independent pathology. In all cases, excessive production is provoked by injuries or the presence of an inflammatory process in the synovial bag or other components of the joint. Excessive production of fluid leads to its accumulation in the synovial cavity. An increasing swelling is formed in the area of the patella, painful symptoms develop.

Given the factors that provoked a failure in production, the composition of the liquid will change. The knee joint is one of the most loaded, therefore it is often injured and overloaded. Therefore, the risk of excessive fluid accumulation is quite high compared to other joints.

Pathology significantly reduces the quality of life, limiting the movement and activity of the patient. Diagnosis and treatment of such pathologies is carried out by a traumatologist, surgeon, rheumatologist or arthrologist. The sooner the correct diagnosis is established and treatment is started, the higher the chances of recovering quickly and without negative consequences. Also interesting to read about.

Possible reasons

The accumulation of synovial fluid in the joints can have various causes. Often the pathological process occurs after diseases and injuries. To get rid of the pathology and prevent its reappearance, it is recommended to establish the root cause and, if possible, eliminate it. The main factors causing the accumulation of excess fluid in the knee joint include:

knee injury - when falling, hitting, jumping from a height;
fractures of the bones of the joint;
ruptures or tears of the menisci, ligamentous apparatus or joint capsule;
hemarthrosis;
synovitis;
bursitis;
arthritis;
Baker's cyst;
pseudogout;
rheumatism;
gonarthrosis;
Koenig's disease;
allergy;
viral infection;
benign or malignant tumor;
hemophilia.

The risk group for diseases includes the elderly, obese, athletes. Also, the accumulation of fluid can provoke prolonged physically hard work and heavy loads or heredity to pathologies.

Characteristic symptoms

Excessive production of fluid in the knee begins some time after injury. The symptoms of this process directly depend on the cause and may be different. But nevertheless, common signs are present, as a rule, they occur in all patients, albeit with different intensity:

swelling of the knee joint;
develops pain on movement;
at the site of injury, the skin overflows with blood;
heat is felt at the site of the lesion;
possible hemorrhage into the joint cavity or under the skin;
movement in the knee becomes limited.

Treatment Methods

The therapeutic course for excessive production of synovial fluid should be prescribed by a doctor. If fluid is diagnosed in, it is categorically not recommended to carry out treatment at home on your own and without the advice of a doctor, as this can lead to complications and irreversible consequences. In principle, the use of folk remedies is allowed, but this is rather an additional measure to the main medical treatment.

For drug treatment, antibiotic drugs, corticosteroids, drugs from the NSAID group are prescribed. Also, the doctor must prescribe a gel or ointment with an analgesic effect to relieve swelling and inflammation.

If the pathology is running, and the joint is already severely damaged, or conservative treatment does not give the desired results, it is necessary to perform surgical intervention. In this case, the synovial fluid is removed by opening the knee surgically. The rehabilitation period after the operation depends on its complexity and takes from 1 month.

To reduce intra-articular pressure and prevent local ischemia, therapeutic massage is prescribed. It promotes increased blood flow, which speeds up knee recovery.

Lack of joint fluid

What to do if there is no fluid in the knee joint, the doctor will be able to answer by conducting the necessary diagnostics. In any case, it will be necessary to restore lubrication in the joints, since its lack affects the health of the joint no less detrimentally than an excess.

Synovial deficiency affects the elderly. The main symptom of a lack of joint lubrication is the appearance of a crunch or creak in the knees when walking or moving. After some time, if no action is taken, unpleasant painful symptoms appear. To avoid disability, you should visit a doctor at the first signs of a pathological process in the knee joint and undergo a diagnosis.

Why is it dangerous

The lack of synovial fluid in the knee joint causes the bones that make up the joint to begin to touch. There is not enough fluid to moisten and lubricate the bone surface, which is why the bones begin to rub against each other. At the same time, the hyaline cartilage is gradually erased, an inflammatory process develops, gradually developing into a chronic form.

When moving, a person feels extreme discomfort and soreness. Diseases such as osteoarthritis or various types of arthritis progress. In the absence, it can completely immobilize, and for treatment it will be necessary to perform endoprosthetics.

What to take to recover

A positive result in the treatment of deficiency contributes to the correct lifestyle in combination with medical procedures. In the diet, be sure to include foods that contain useful substances such as selenium, sulfur, proteins, carbohydrates, omega-3 acids and collagen.

It is possible to restore synovial fluid in the knee joints by taking vitamins and supplements. For example, hyaluronic acid restores the production of joint fluid. Its main function is to retain water and lubricate the cartilage tissue in the joints. The average dosage for an adult is about 200 milligrams. It is recommended to take in combination with vitamin C to enhance the effect.

Useful substances glucosamine and chondroitin are contained in chondroprotective preparations. The main constituent of synovial fluid is glucosamine, which is responsible for its viscosity.

Chondroitin enhances synovial secretion. Chondroprotectors are recommended to be taken with meals to reduce their negative impact on the gastrointestinal tract.

If necessary, the doctor may prescribe injections of sodium hyaluronate into the joint cavity. Since this method has a number of contraindications, only a doctor in a medical institution can prescribe and perform it.

Fluid accumulation in the joints or effusion is a pathological condition in which fluid accumulates in the joint cavity. Joint fluid acts as a lubricant in the joint. Excess joint fluid (effusion) is a pathology that indicates the beginning of the inflammatory process in the joint. Inflammation disrupts the joint nutrition mechanism, the fluid loses its properties, losing the nutrients needed by the joint during inflammation.

Deficiency and Excess

Deviations from the norm of the amount of synovial fluid in any case are equally undesirable. The lack of fluid in the joints, as well as its accumulation, are pathological conditions of the joint. With an excessive amount of fluid, the joint capsule is stretched, resulting in pain and difficulty in movement.

The lack of fluid in the joints causes contact between the articular surfaces. Over time, the friction of the articular surfaces leads to their destruction. The patient has severe pain and stiffness of movement. Typically, a decrease in the production of joint lubrication occurs with a person's age. Excessive exercise and dehydration also lead to this.

The reasons

Excessive fluid in the joint cavity is formed as a result of inflammatory and infectious diseases of the joints. Also, an effusion develops as a result of a joint injury or under the influence of a tumor.

The most common joint diseases that provoke effusion are arthritis and arthrosis. Injuries and injuries that cause pathological fluid accumulation include fractures, meniscal injuries, and ligament injuries. Hemoarthrosis or hemorrhages in the joint cavity often occur with injuries and damage to the joint and its ligaments.

Also, the prerequisites that contribute to the development of pathology are excessive exercise and obesity. Diseases and pathologies of a different nature can become risk factors for the formation of pathology. These include ectopic pregnancy, hemophilia, endometriosis, allergies, abdominal bleeding, liver disease.

Symptoms

Fluid between the joints in excess amounts manifests itself in the following symptoms:

swelling, swelling, enlargement of the joint in size;
significant pain;
hemorrhage;
increase in body temperature;
there is redness of the skin of the joint;
the skin in the area of the joint is hot to the touch.

Symptoms of pathology usually do not begin to appear immediately, but some time after the injury. As a result, the manifestation of symptoms of effusion, the mobility of the joint is sharply reduced, stiffness of movements occurs.

Diagnostics

Various tests are performed to diagnose effusion and identify its causes. X-ray examination, arthroscopy, ultrasound, computed and magnetic resonance imaging help to identify the liquid.

They can also perform a puncture and a biopsy, which help to identify the causative agent of the infection, if it is present, and determine the cause of the pathology. In some cases, it is not possible to determine the cause of the effusion.

Treatment and prevention

Treatment of pathology should be carried out after establishing the cause of the effusion. If the pathology is infectious in nature, then the main treatment is aimed at eliminating the infection. If the cause is damage to the joint or ligaments, then first of all, this pathology must be eliminated. If the effusion was caused by joint diseases, then the patient is prescribed treatment for these pathologies. Treatment, depending on the indications, is prescribed medical or surgical. In the most difficult cases, joint prosthetics are performed.

To remove excess fluid, which puts pressure on the intra-articular capsule, a puncture is prescribed from the joint cavity.

The fluid extracted from the joint is sent for analysis to determine the nature of the pathology. The fluid may contain blood or pus.

In many cases, the puncture helps to alleviate the patient's condition, but in some cases, after the procedure, the fluid accumulates again. For example, if the pathological condition is caused by a tumor, then the puncture does not help.

As a preventive measure for the accumulation of fluid in the joint cavity, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner in case of injuries, joint diseases and tumors. Infectious and viral diseases that can give complications to the joints must be treated with high quality.

The joints are practically the basis of the musculoskeletal system, therefore the mobility of the limbs depends on their functioning. A fairly common problem is fluid in the joint, which most often occurs in the knee area. And what are the causes of this pathology, how to eliminate it? Let's find out!

Where does the liquid come from?

The joint has a rather complex structure. All its parts are covered with a membrane called synovium. The epithelial cells of this kind of coating produce a special secret, which is designed to protect the joint from damage, and also acts as a lubricant and provides mobility.

Synovial fluid is synthesized in certain quantities, and if the volumes increase, then accumulation occurs. But fluid can also be produced during various pathological processes that affect the articular tissues. It is called exudate, is formed during inflammation and is released from small blood vessels.

Why is it accumulating?

Causes of fluid accumulation in the knee joint can be as follows:

Damage and violations of the integrity of the meniscus - a kind of cartilage lining that performs the functions of depreciation.
Various joint diseases such as arthritis, gout, arthrosis. They affect not only the knee, but also other joints. Arthritis is characterized by inflammation, with arthrosis, the processes of destruction and deformation of articular tissues are triggered, and gout is accompanied by the deposition of urates. One way or another, all these diseases can provoke fluid accumulation.
Fractures of the bones that form the knee joint, such as the patella, femoral condyles. These are serious injuries, which can also be accompanied by inflammation and provoke the accumulation of fluid.
Hemoarthrosis is a hemorrhage in the joint, which develops as a result of severe mechanical damage. But in this case it will not be synovial fluid or exudate that will accumulate, but blood.
Bursitis. This disease is characterized by an inflammatory process localized in the joint bag and provoking the formation and accumulation of exudate. Bursitis can develop due to infections, injuries, or underlying medical conditions.
Synovitis is an inflammation of the synovial membrane itself, which in most cases leads to an increase in the synthesis of synovial fluid and the formation of exudate. Such a disease develops due to aseptic, immune or purulent inflammation.

Possible manifestations

Symptoms of fluid accumulation in the joint will depend on its volume, as well as on the specific cause of the pathology.

Possible manifestations:

Pain sensations. Their character can be different: from dull or aching to sharp and sharp. Often pain occurs during movement, namely when bending the leg at the knee.
Enlargement of the knee joint in size. It can be insignificant and almost imperceptible or obvious, conspicuous (sometimes the volumes double, and in this case the symptom cannot be missed).
Hyperemia - filling with blood of local vessels.
Increase in body temperature. It can be local, localized only in the affected area, or general, accompanied by fever, chills and other symptoms.
Impaired mobility of the knee. The accumulation of fluid restricts movement, and sometimes almost completely fetters them, which will make it difficult or impossible to bend the leg.
Redness, swelling.
On palpation, a seal will be felt, similar to a kind of elastic bag or vial.

Therapy

How to treat fluid in the knee joint? Therapy will depend on the specific causes that caused the pathology in question. In any case, it must be competent, prescribed by a doctor and comprehensive. Below are the main directions.

Conservative treatment

To stop inflammation and eliminate the symptoms of pathology, various means can be prescribed, their choice depends on the specific problem.

Local anesthetics relieve the patient's condition, reduce pain.
Broad-spectrum non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, firstly, stop inflammation, and secondly, eliminate pain.
In severe inflammation, steroids are indicated.
In case of malfunctions of the immune system, immunomodulators or, conversely, immunosuppressive agents that depress the immune system, may be recommended.
To normalize the functions of the joints, agents belonging to the category of chondroprotectors are recommended.
To eliminate puffiness, doctors sometimes advise taking antihistamines.
For bacterial infections, antibiotic therapy is necessary (the funds can be taken orally or injected directly into the joint).

To speed up the healing and restoration of the joint, some procedures may be prescribed, such as reflex or physiotherapy, acupuncture, therapeutic exercises, massage, and some others. Sometimes cool lotions or compresses, exposure to dry heat are useful.

Surgery

Unfortunately, not always conservative treatment is effective and allows you to solve the problem. The only sure way to remove the accumulated fluid is surgery. But the operation is simple, it can be performed without anesthesia or under local anesthesia.

During the operation, a needle is inserted into the cavity of the joint filled with fluid, with the help of which the pathological contents are removed by vacuum. Further, antibacterial or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be recommended for prevention. Also, after surgery, in most cases, knee immobilization is indicated, that is, its immobilization and fixation.

ethnoscience

It is advisable to use home recipes as additional measures as part of complex therapy.

Effective folk remedies:

Laurel oil. Pour two tablespoons of crushed leaves with a glass of olive oil, let the mixture brew for a week in a dark place, and then apply oil to the affected joint twice a day.
Ointment from comfrey. Mix a glass of chopped plant with 150-200 g of interior fat or lard. Put the mixture in the refrigerator for five days, and then lubricate the knee with it twice a day.
Grind half a glass of rye grains, boil in a liter of water for twenty minutes, strain, add a glass of vodka and honey, take two tablespoons before meals three times a day.

If fluid has accumulated in the joint, this is not normal! Such a pathology requires a visit to a doctor.

Dec 23, 2016 Olga