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Knee effusion, commonly known as “water on the knee”,  occurs when excess fluid accumulates in and around your knee joint. This can cause a tremendous amount of pain and discomfort. If you suffer from knee effusion, it is important to be well-informed so that you can make educated decisions about your health and treatment.

Read below to learn about the common causes, symptoms, and treatment options for knee effusion:

Knee Effusion Causes

A swollen knee may be the result of trauma, overuse, or even an underlying medical condition. Common causes of knee effusion include:

• Traumatic injury – such as a sprain, ligament tear, or broken bone
• Months or years of overuse
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Infection
• Cysts

Knee Effusion Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of knee effusion include:

• Puffiness and swelling in the knee.
• Pain when bearing weight.
• Stiffness or reduced range of motion due to increased fluid.
• One knee appears noticeably larger than the other.
• May feel warm to the touch.

Knee Effusion Treatments

As with most soft tissue injuries, you should try self-treatment measures before seeing a doctor. These include:

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation
• Over-the-counter pain relievers and antiinflammatories

If you see no improvement after 2-3 days of rest and ice, you should seek help from a medical professional. Your doctor may recommend a wide range of treatment options, depending on the cause of your knee effusion. Some treatment options include:

• Physical therapy
• Oral medications
• Steroid injections directly into the knee
• Surgery to remove excess fluid

If you are suffering from effusion, or any other injuries to the knee, help is available at Orthopaedic Specialty Group. As southern Connecticut’s largest and most experienced orthopedic practice, you can count on our team of knee specialists to get you on the road to recovery. Request an appointment online, or call (203) 337-2600.