Question: I have fairly severe pain that arose suddenly Thursday night, couldn't bear any weight in right knee at all. No injury, no over-use at all prior to this. I'm 45 yr old female, good muscle tone, I work out regularly. I had a heavy head cold prior that was showing signs of improvement by that time. Some swelling mostly just above the knee. Went to urgent care on Friday morning, they x-rayed, nothing broken. Possibly some fluid around knee. Some improvement Sunday and Monday. Generally no pain while at rest. Able to bear some weight on Monday. Have continued periodic icing. Now extremely sore knee again overnight, can't bear any weight this morning. This time I suppose it is related to Monday's limited walking with walker & crutches. Not much swelling this morning, just pain even while at rest. We were somewhat convinced that lymph nodes above right knee were fighting the cold, which I understand is unusual but possible. Now I'm not so sure. Any thoughts? Must I continue to wait it out?
Found the xray report: "The bones appear intact without evidence of fracture or acute osseous abnormalities. Joint spaces appear maintained without significant degeneration. there appears to be some fluid present in the suprapatellar recess."
Then doctor's mpression: Probable joint effusion.
Suggested possible causes:
Synovial effusion. ok, seems likely. Limited range of motion, bend to about 100 degrees, straighten to about 170 degrees.
Hemarthrosis, Bursitis, - but no injury, pain is above knee. Only mild tenderness to touch most of the time.
Possible Ortho referral.