Other medical causes of idiopathic knee joint swelling include gout or pseudogout, inflammatory arthritis, systemic diseases such as Lyme disease, cysts, or tumors. Knee joint effusion that is accompanied by fever can indicate septic arthritis, and should be considered a medical emergency. This is especially true with sudden-onset effusion, or effusion that is idiopathic. A physician can help shed light on the mystery, whether by physical exam, analysis of fluid drawn from the knee, or review of images such as MRIs or X-rays. How to Fix Your Swollen Knee See a doctor.Īnytime you have a swollen joint, you should see a doctor. Finally, prepatellar bursitis can also occur as a chronic condition, particularly in individuals who frequently kneel. Chronic joint conditions may cause swelling in the back of the knee, termed a Baker’s cyst. The meniscus acts as a joint stabilizer and shock absorber, so damage or prior surgery to remove a tear compromises the knee, and contributes to the development of OA. As previously discussed, meniscus tears can occur with an acute injury, especially in younger athletes, but they can also be a result of chronic wear and tear over time, particularly in masters athletes. Meniscus tears are another common underlying pathology that may lead to chronic knee effusion. Knee OA can occur in the joint between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone), and/or in the patellofemoral joint between the kneecap and the underlying femur. As the cartilage wears away, bones rub together more closely, leading to pain and inflammation. Osteoarthritis (OA), which is a wearing away of the articular cartilage that serves to cushion joints, is the most common joint problem in the United States, especially with age. Overuse and underlying chronic degenerative conditions are the most common causes. Swelling that arrives later or is a chronic problem is generally caused by excess synovial fluid (the lubricant in joints) in the knee, much like too much oil in a car. Acute swelling can also occur outside of the knee joint, but within the prepatellar bursa, a fluid-filled sac that sits on top of the kneecap, as the result of a blow to the front of the knee. Other possible acute injuries include meniscus tears and patellar dislocations or fractures. Ligament injuries can range in severity from sprains involving some stretching, to partial tears, to complete disruptions. Ligaments (especially the ACL) are most commonly damaged in acute sports injuries involving knee effusion. For example, you twist your knee trail running, trip and land on your patella (kneecap) while running on concrete, or hit the outside of your knee on the ground during a bike crash. Although the majority of triathlon-related injuries tend to be chronic, acute knee injuries can still happen. Pain is often immediate, and results in an inability to bear weight through the knee. A pop or crack may occur, and instability may be present. Chances are that a specific injury occurred, usually involving twisting or cutting, hyperextension, or a direct blow to the knee. Basically, something has been torn or broken. It is a sign of bleeding within the knee, or hemarthrosis, which is suspicious of serious structural damage. Swelling that occurs soon after an activity (within about four hours) is much more serious than swelling that shows up, say, the next day. RELATED: An Injury Guide For Triathletes Acute (short term) swelling of the knee To figure out why it’s swollen, it’s important to consider if the swelling occurred acutely, or if it is a more chronic, longer-term issue. So, if knee swelling is present, further investigation is warranted. On a more acute basis, increased knee swelling after running has not been seen in many studies. Swollen knees with running should not be considered normal-despite warnings about running being “bad for the knees,” studies of both club-level runners and recreational runners have shown that running is not detrimental to the knees on a long-term basis. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!Ī swollen knee can be concerning, and may warrant a trip to the doctor.
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