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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Swelling On The Knee

About 3 months ago it started with a flare up in my knee. Fairly pronounced swelling left side of left knee slightly above the kneecap. Doctor put me on anti inflammatory. Seemed to lesson over the next week until another flare up hit same knee down to and including ankle. I had previously (30 years ago) been diagnosed having pseudo gout and that s what my doctor has been treating me for. The initial anti inflammatory drug is Meloxicam, since he s prescribed Motrin 800 mg and Colchicine .06. Both gave some initial relief especially the Ibuprofen but where initially I could take one per day, over the last 2 weeks I m up to 3 per day and still crippled. These joint agonies have gone from knees to ankles wrists, shoulders, lower back, neck and elbows. 3 months ago I was very active 66 year old. Walking, hiking, swimming, waterskiing etc. Previous to this I d get an occasional flare up, usually knee, take some Advil for a few days and it would be gone. Maybe once or twice per year. I ve now aged 30 years overnight and getting worse by the day. My doctor did an initial thorough blood work up. Everything was in normal ranges except one category high that, he says, show high inflammation levels. I live in Phoenix and am now looking for a list of afflictions that could attack multiple joints moving from place to place, sometimes in multiple joints. Maybe something like Valley fever or???
Mon, 23 Sep 2019
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General Surgeon 's  Response
Hi,

In your case, there are few possible causes and if there was no injury then some other chronic disorder may be present. Without more information it is not enough to determine the diagnosis. It could be a hematoma (bleeding in the tissues) or a swollen knee joint capsule.

If it's in the back of the knee then it could be a Baker's cyst. Clinical examination (and perhaps fluid aspiration if there's any) would help to determine the diagnosis. Either an orthopedics specialist or your primary care physician can do that.

Until then you can try to apply ice packs (not directly on the skin - wrap them with a towel) and perhaps use some painkillers starting with paracetamol (acetaminophen) and advancing to NSAID if paracetamol is not enough and there's no contraindication for NSAID.

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

Wishing you all the best.

Regards,
Dr. Iven Romic Rommstein, General Surgeon
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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Swelling On The Knee

Hi, In your case, there are few possible causes and if there was no injury then some other chronic disorder may be present. Without more information it is not enough to determine the diagnosis. It could be a hematoma (bleeding in the tissues) or a swollen knee joint capsule. If it s in the back of the knee then it could be a Baker s cyst. Clinical examination (and perhaps fluid aspiration if there s any) would help to determine the diagnosis. Either an orthopedics specialist or your primary care physician can do that. Until then you can try to apply ice packs (not directly on the skin - wrap them with a towel) and perhaps use some painkillers starting with paracetamol (acetaminophen) and advancing to NSAID if paracetamol is not enough and there s no contraindication for NSAID. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Wishing you all the best. Regards, Dr. Iven Romic Rommstein, General Surgeon