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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Persistent Swelling And Pain In The Knee?

I have swelling of knee, and severe pain each time I try to extend. The swelling fluctuates in severity. The knee is also warm to touch. I am having to limp around. I have not had an injury. I have had a bone scan and ultra sound completed. No results yet. Do u think its arthritis?
Mon, 21 Sep 2015
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Swelling of knee joint, the local area feeling warm, and limping are suggestive of infection in the knee joint.
Since the area is feeling warm, possibility of bacterial infection is there.
Tubercular infection is a common cause of swelling of knee joint, however, the area is not warm in cases of tubercular infection.
You need to wait for the ultrasound report and bone scan.
Aspiration of the fluid collected around the knee joint needs to be examined.
In bacterial infections there is presence of large number of neutrophils.
If neutrophils are detected in the fluid, a culture of the fluid can be done.
This can be followed by fluid culture and drug sensitivity.
These investigations will determine the cause of fluid collection in knee joint and thus its treatment.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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What Causes Persistent Swelling And Pain In The Knee?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Swelling of knee joint, the local area feeling warm, and limping are suggestive of infection in the knee joint. Since the area is feeling warm, possibility of bacterial infection is there. Tubercular infection is a common cause of swelling of knee joint, however, the area is not warm in cases of tubercular infection. You need to wait for the ultrasound report and bone scan. Aspiration of the fluid collected around the knee joint needs to be examined. In bacterial infections there is presence of large number of neutrophils. If neutrophils are detected in the fluid, a culture of the fluid can be done. This can be followed by fluid culture and drug sensitivity. These investigations will determine the cause of fluid collection in knee joint and thus its treatment. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri