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Are Joint Pain And Stiffness Indicative Of Osteoarthritis?

Posted on Fri, 23 Jun 2023

Question: My wife XXXXXXX (Age 55 years) is having problem in her right leg for the last 15-20 days. Initially she had pain in her right leg calf muscle then the right leg knee got swelled and pain started. She got the physiotherapy done, but there was no relief. I consulted an Orthopedic Surgeon who after taking the X-Ray informed that there is fluid deposit around the knee area. The Dr. recommended following medicines: 1) Retoz 60 twice daily 2) Acuvin - half tab. morning evening 3) Corcium C once daily. She has taken medicine for one week. There is little relief in pain and swelling in the knee. Now the Dr. has said that the fluid around the knee area has to be taken out through a syringe. We have not got this done. Please advise what is the right approach to proceed. Is removal of fluid safe through syringe? Dr. prescription is attached for your perusal. Please advise how do we proceed further to get rid of the problem.

doctor's prescription attached.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

Nothing to worry.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I have gone through your query and health concern and attached prescription in detail, she is suffering from Osteo Arthritis of the knee joint.

These are basically age related degenerative changes in the weight bearing joints like knee and is characterized by joint pain and stiffness.

Upon movement the stiffness gradually relives. Sometimes application of hot pads can make the movement possible.

The treatment options include pain killers, hot fomentation, lubricating agents like glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin, dycerin, etc and some lifestyle modifications and physiotherapy.

A Big No to Stair case, squatting postures, any chair which has a sitting platform lower than your knees.

A knee brace can also be used for an earlier and prolonged relief.

In severe cases intra articular injections of steroids and hyaluronic acid may be needed after consultation with your orthopaedician.

If the fluid is not decreasing with medicines that you need to aspirate the fluid.

Removal of fluid is safe through a syringe, there is nothing to worry, it is a procedure of 5 minutes.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Praveen Tayal, Orthopaedic Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (22 hours later)

Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX for your detailed reply. My wife has told me to ask the following questions from you:

1. What is the reason for deposit of fluid around knee area?
2. Will the swelling and pain disappear after the fluid is removed through syringe?
3. Can the fluid deposit occur again after removal of the same through syringe?
4. What can be done to prevent deposit of fluid in the knee area?
5. Any exercise to prevent deposit of fluid.

Shall be grateful for your response.

Regards..xxxxx

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:

Welcome.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

1. A joint effusion is defined as an increased amount of fluid within the synovial compartment of a joint.

There is normally only a small physiological amount of fluid. Abnormal fluid accumulation can result from inflammation, infection or trauma and may be an exudate, transudate, blood and/or fat.

2. Only swelling will disappear ,pain decrease but don't say what extent .

3. Yes, the possibility is there.

4. You can try intra articular injection of Depomedrol.

5. She can do quadriceps drill exercise.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Praveen Tayal, Orthopaedic Surgeon

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar