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Recurrent Effusion In Knee. MRI Showed No Damage. How To Overcome This Problem?
Question: Hi thanks for your help. I am a 42 yr. old femele, 5,4 at 125 pounds. I am a full time ltter carrier. I have had an effusion in my left knee now for 2 and a half months. For the first month was so swelled I could not bend the knee at all. Rest, Ice, had knee up, taken anti-inflammatorys and going to Physio Therapy. I had a MRI taken on the knee and showed no damage. At the present time can bend my knee to a sit position now. But can only stand for no more than 1 hour and knee gets sore and swells some. How much longer do you think ths problem will go away and I can get back to work full duties???. Will this effusion come back easier now that it has happened once??? Thank you for your time. Just want to get back to my normal life.
Regards, XXXXXX
Regards, XXXXXX
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
Recurrent effusion in your left knee is due to some underlying cause.
Since the MRI of the knee does not reveal any structural damage to the joint or the surrounding structure, the effusion fluid needs to be examined.
Joint effusion occurs in following conditions:
1. Infections
2. Gout/ pseudo-gout
3. Inflammation secondary to immune mediated diseases like rheumatoid arthritis m, SLE etc to name a few.
Please visit your orthopedician for the examination of the synovial fluid (joint fluid) in case immune mediated diseases are suspected relevant blood tests can be further ordered.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr Shailja P wahal
Thanks for your query.
Recurrent effusion in your left knee is due to some underlying cause.
Since the MRI of the knee does not reveal any structural damage to the joint or the surrounding structure, the effusion fluid needs to be examined.
Joint effusion occurs in following conditions:
1. Infections
2. Gout/ pseudo-gout
3. Inflammation secondary to immune mediated diseases like rheumatoid arthritis m, SLE etc to name a few.
Please visit your orthopedician for the examination of the synovial fluid (joint fluid) in case immune mediated diseases are suspected relevant blood tests can be further ordered.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr Shailja P wahal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I have had blood work done, but they did not take out any fluid. The doctor at the time said the effusion was caused by over use of the knee, since i am a letter carrier I stand in one spot for 2 to 3 hours and walk for 4 hours. But i have been off work for 2 and a half months. Doing rest, ice, Physio and taking anti-inflammatorys. Would like to know how long it will take to go away????? and when back to work full time will it come back easier now that it has happen once???? Is there anything else I can do to help it get better?????
Regards, XXXXXX
Regards, XXXXXX
Hello and welcome again,
You have mentioned that you have been off work for two and half months and you are also taking treatment for the knee effusion- rest, physiotherapy, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
What I understand from your query that the swelling is still present despite treatment for two and half months. If the problem was due to overuse then it should have gone by taking sufficient rest.
Please visit your orthopediatician for follow up.
Non-resolving effusion for months despite treatment and rest calls to look for another cause of the effusion which may be one of the ones that I mentioned previously.
For complete recovery, some cause needs to be sought out which is unlikely to be over use.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
You have mentioned that you have been off work for two and half months and you are also taking treatment for the knee effusion- rest, physiotherapy, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
What I understand from your query that the swelling is still present despite treatment for two and half months. If the problem was due to overuse then it should have gone by taking sufficient rest.
Please visit your orthopediatician for follow up.
Non-resolving effusion for months despite treatment and rest calls to look for another cause of the effusion which may be one of the ones that I mentioned previously.
For complete recovery, some cause needs to be sought out which is unlikely to be over use.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Mohammed Kappan
Answered by
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