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What Causes Swelling On Knee Filled With Fluid Post Injury?
Question: I fell 3 days ago and took a hard direct blow to my knee. It filled with fluid and became very swollen within minutes. The skin was not broken and my doctor said it was blood that filled my Bursa. He said it would take some time but that it should resolve on its own. It's still swollen and somewhat stiff. I noticed yesterday that a dime size head had formed on the front of the swelling and a small amount of blood was oozing out. I put a bandage on and have changed it a few times in the last 24 hours. Each time I change the bandage I've seen a small circle of dried blood on the gauze. It doesn't feel warm or tender as infection normally would. Does this sound like part of the normal healing process or should I have it checked by my doctor immediately?
Brief Answer:
Need a clinical orthopedic assessment and investig
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Good morning. I am Dr Shareef answering your query.
If you have to change your dressings frequently in a day, this signifies that possibly the oozing has not stopped preventing the absorption of the same which should normally occur as your doctor informed you. You did not mention about any pain and if the movements of the injured joint are restricted or not. In either case, I would advise you to visit an orthopedic surgeon to rule out any ligamentous/cartilage injury, who might advise you for an MRI of your injured knee for a diagnosis.
Also I presume that you did not have any pre existing medical problem and are not under any medication like blood thinning agent, which normally should be stopped until the diagnosis was clear. Till the picture was clear, you could go for some cold compress and an anti inflammatory drug along with a proton pump inhibitor for symptomatic relief.
I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts.
Thanks for choosing health care magic to clear doubts on your health problems. I wish you an early recovery. Dr Shareef.
Need a clinical orthopedic assessment and investig
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Good morning. I am Dr Shareef answering your query.
If you have to change your dressings frequently in a day, this signifies that possibly the oozing has not stopped preventing the absorption of the same which should normally occur as your doctor informed you. You did not mention about any pain and if the movements of the injured joint are restricted or not. In either case, I would advise you to visit an orthopedic surgeon to rule out any ligamentous/cartilage injury, who might advise you for an MRI of your injured knee for a diagnosis.
Also I presume that you did not have any pre existing medical problem and are not under any medication like blood thinning agent, which normally should be stopped until the diagnosis was clear. Till the picture was clear, you could go for some cold compress and an anti inflammatory drug along with a proton pump inhibitor for symptomatic relief.
I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts.
Thanks for choosing health care magic to clear doubts on your health problems. I wish you an early recovery. Dr Shareef.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your thorough answer.
I want to make sure I understand the following part of your answer. You wrote "If you have to change your dressings frequently in a day, this signifies that possibly the oozing has not stopped preventing the absorption of the same which should normally occur as your doctor informed you."
The oozing is minimal and I only change the bandage twice a day. Are you saying that the oozing does or does not indicate that my body is absorbing the blood and fluid as it should in the normal healing process?
I am reasonably certain at this point that that I do not have any ligament or cartilage damage based on my doctors examination. I do have atrial flutter and have take Coumadin for a number of years-my INR averages in the low 2's. I have a pacemaker so an MRI is not possible. I do take Aciphex. The pain in my knee is mild. It is a little sore from the swelling and if I bend it past 90 degrees my movement is restricted due to increased pain from the pressure created in the swelling. I've not taken any anti-inflammatory drugs because I am on Coumadin and don't want to increase the chance of internal bleeding.
Regards,
XXXXXXX
I want to make sure I understand the following part of your answer. You wrote "If you have to change your dressings frequently in a day, this signifies that possibly the oozing has not stopped preventing the absorption of the same which should normally occur as your doctor informed you."
The oozing is minimal and I only change the bandage twice a day. Are you saying that the oozing does or does not indicate that my body is absorbing the blood and fluid as it should in the normal healing process?
I am reasonably certain at this point that that I do not have any ligament or cartilage damage based on my doctors examination. I do have atrial flutter and have take Coumadin for a number of years-my INR averages in the low 2's. I have a pacemaker so an MRI is not possible. I do take Aciphex. The pain in my knee is mild. It is a little sore from the swelling and if I bend it past 90 degrees my movement is restricted due to increased pain from the pressure created in the swelling. I've not taken any anti-inflammatory drugs because I am on Coumadin and don't want to increase the chance of internal bleeding.
Regards,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
May have to consult your cardiologist.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX ! Good evening. Nice to hear from you.
Yes, my intention of saying that was normally a hematoma should gradually get absorbed by its own unless there is continuing oozing. Because you said that you are changing dressings, I presumed the possibility of a continuous ooze. It is not necessarily to be correct, as in that case the swelling would increase as well. I would definitely want you to consult your cardiologist on if you could stop the blood thinning agents for some time till the hematoma gets absorbed. If there is not much of pain it is ok, otherwise you could go for some anti inflammatory drug without the apprehension once your blood thinning agent is stopped, and as such you are already on Acephex.
I hope I am more clear this time with a lot of input and extra information from your side as well. In case of any further doubt, please do not hesitate to ask. Wishing you an early recovery. Dr Shareef.
May have to consult your cardiologist.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX ! Good evening. Nice to hear from you.
Yes, my intention of saying that was normally a hematoma should gradually get absorbed by its own unless there is continuing oozing. Because you said that you are changing dressings, I presumed the possibility of a continuous ooze. It is not necessarily to be correct, as in that case the swelling would increase as well. I would definitely want you to consult your cardiologist on if you could stop the blood thinning agents for some time till the hematoma gets absorbed. If there is not much of pain it is ok, otherwise you could go for some anti inflammatory drug without the apprehension once your blood thinning agent is stopped, and as such you are already on Acephex.
I hope I am more clear this time with a lot of input and extra information from your side as well. In case of any further doubt, please do not hesitate to ask. Wishing you an early recovery. Dr Shareef.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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