According to MayoClinic.com, a knee joint effusion, or water on the knee, describes excess fluid accumulation in or around the knee joint. Many knee conditions, including osteoarthritis, knee injury or tumors can cause a knee joint effusion. Medline Plus, of the National Institutes of Health, states that the doctor may need to obtain a fluid sample from the knee to determine the cause of the knee effusion. This condition is treated conservatively with medications; however, a joint aspiration or surgery may be needed depending on the cause. A patient should look for common symptoms of a knee joint effusion and seek the proper treatment.
Swelling
MayoClinic.com states that swelling is a symptom of a knee joint effusion. Swelling occurs because the primary knee condition may cause inflammation in the knee joint. Inflammation causes excessive fluid to leak from blood vessels and tissues that can accumulate in the joint. Thus, a patient will notice that one knee is larger than the other. If swelling is difficult to recognize, a patient can compare the bony parts of the knee. The knee with less prominent bony parts is probably swollen. In this case, a patient should let his doctor know if he experienced any knee trauma, or if swelling occurred after knee injury. A doctor will perform a physical exam and take X-rays to determine the cause. If medications and elevation of the knee do not improve swelling, then, a joint aspiration, or drainage of joint fluid may be necessary.
Stiffness
A patient with a knee joint effusion will likely experience stiffness, states MayoClinic.com. This occurs because excess fluid in the joint prevents the knee from bending and straightening as it normally can. Thus, a patient may have difficulty walking normally, or bending over to pick up objects. A patient should seek treatment from his doctor if he is experiencing knee stiffness, so the cause of joint stiffness can be determined. Oral medications, elevation or joint aspiration may be necessary to improve this symptom.
Pain
A knee with a joint effusion may cause pain, depending on the amount of fluid in the joint, states MayoClinic.com. The knee joint may be painful because accumulated fluid can expand the knee joint, which can compress and aggravate nearby sensory nerves around the knee. Pain can range from achy, to severely painful, and is usually worse when walking. A patient should not hesitate to seek medical treatment if he is experiencing a swollen, stiff, painful knee.
