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What Causes Swelling Above The Knee With Difficulty In Bending Leg?
Question: HI,
Their as swelling above the knee, it is very difficult to bend or straighten the leg. 2 years ago I had faced a similar situation after traveling in a train and sitting for long hours, their was excess fluid accumulated above the knee which was removed. now the situation is not that bad, but still I feel bit pain while walking. advise me what should I do.
Their as swelling above the knee, it is very difficult to bend or straighten the leg. 2 years ago I had faced a similar situation after traveling in a train and sitting for long hours, their was excess fluid accumulated above the knee which was removed. now the situation is not that bad, but still I feel bit pain while walking. advise me what should I do.
Brief Answer:
Need to consult surgeon
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
You will first need to get the x-ray of the joint done to see if the damage is inside or outside the knee joint.
If the damage is inside the knee joint, it will be managed by an orthopedic surgeon. He will determine the cause of the swelling and treat accordingly.
If the fluid is accumulating outside the joint, then you need to consult a surgeon. He may drain the swelling and give antibiotics to treat/prevent bacterial infection. If the fluid is not much, then just antibiotics will suffice.
You also need to find a cause of recurrence of the problem. Get the basic blood tests done to see if immunity is low, etc. The drained fluid should also be send for chemical and microscopic examination.
Hope it helps.
Dr Vaishalee
Need to consult surgeon
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
You will first need to get the x-ray of the joint done to see if the damage is inside or outside the knee joint.
If the damage is inside the knee joint, it will be managed by an orthopedic surgeon. He will determine the cause of the swelling and treat accordingly.
If the fluid is accumulating outside the joint, then you need to consult a surgeon. He may drain the swelling and give antibiotics to treat/prevent bacterial infection. If the fluid is not much, then just antibiotics will suffice.
You also need to find a cause of recurrence of the problem. Get the basic blood tests done to see if immunity is low, etc. The drained fluid should also be send for chemical and microscopic examination.
Hope it helps.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I had got x ray done and their was no damage inside or outside the knees. I was advised few antibiotics , gel to be applied around the knee and ice was placed on the knee.
Brief Answer:
How is the response to treatment?
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
I would like to know if there has been any response to treatment especially the antibiotics. How long have you been taking the antibiotics?
You can also take a pain-killer. To advise better about it, I need to know the severity of pain. On a scale of 1 - 10, if 10 is the worst pain, where would you grade the pain?
If the redness is decreasing, but swelling is not decreasing, then I would suggest that you get an ultrasound of the swelling done. We will be able to figure out the contents of the swelling from it. If it is cystic (watery fluid filled) swelling, then it can be drained. If it contains blood then we have to be careful about it.
Dr Vaishalee
How is the response to treatment?
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
I would like to know if there has been any response to treatment especially the antibiotics. How long have you been taking the antibiotics?
You can also take a pain-killer. To advise better about it, I need to know the severity of pain. On a scale of 1 - 10, if 10 is the worst pain, where would you grade the pain?
If the redness is decreasing, but swelling is not decreasing, then I would suggest that you get an ultrasound of the swelling done. We will be able to figure out the contents of the swelling from it. If it is cystic (watery fluid filled) swelling, then it can be drained. If it contains blood then we have to be careful about it.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
1.I had taken the antibiotics only for e 3 days, till the swelling reduced, but still their is stiffness and iam not able to bend or straighten the leg.
2.on a scale of 1-10, I grade the pain as 4. if can feel the pain only while walking.
3.it is no redness, when the fluid was drained previously its was in light yellowish in color and no blood.
Brief Answer:
Swelling not resolved completely
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
It seems that the swelling is not resolved completely. If it was due to infection, after resolution of infection it would take a few days for it to resolve. If the infection is not resolved, we need to do take steps to take out the infected fluid and also take appropriate antibiotics. Fluid should be sent for further investigations.
Yellow fluid means serous fluid or pus.
A combination of ibuprofen and serratiopeptidase should help reduce the swelling and pain.
To avoid prolonged stiffness, try to stretch and bend the knee joint within limits. This process is to be done 10 times and can be repeated two times a day.
Dr Vaishalee
Swelling not resolved completely
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
It seems that the swelling is not resolved completely. If it was due to infection, after resolution of infection it would take a few days for it to resolve. If the infection is not resolved, we need to do take steps to take out the infected fluid and also take appropriate antibiotics. Fluid should be sent for further investigations.
Yellow fluid means serous fluid or pus.
A combination of ibuprofen and serratiopeptidase should help reduce the swelling and pain.
To avoid prolonged stiffness, try to stretch and bend the knee joint within limits. This process is to be done 10 times and can be repeated two times a day.
Dr Vaishalee
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
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