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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Swelling Up Of Knees?

My son was diagnoses with effusion of knee. He is in a waiting period to get his health insurance reinstated. I am concerned that his knee is still swollen and it is difficult for him to fully bend his knee. He was supposed be to seen by a orthopaedic; however, I am waiting for the health insurance. He says that he is not in pain. It is just swollen. I am not sure how serious it is. He has injured the same knee several times and has had this condition a few times. This is the longest that he has had the swollenness and inability to bend his knee.
Tue, 23 Dec 2014
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Rheumatologist,  's  Response
In cases of Effusions of a single joint like in this case of your son,Infection and crystalline arthropathies have to be ruled out. Synovial biopsy and looking for Mycobacterial,fungal and bacterial infections is high on the list. Also analysis of the synovial fluid for crystals has to be done.Blood coagulation profile is also needed. Injury to the knee may also be a cause of recurrent effusions.The synovial fluid is stained red or frank bloody in that case. If it is due to injury only and all other causes are ruled out,MRI of the knee may help localising the injury and you can plan for repair of the damage with the help of a qualified surgeon.Depending on the cause treatment has to be planned.Do not wait for too long for consultation with a Rheumatologist.The knee may get damaged even without pain and there can be irrepairable damage if the effusion is inflammatory.All the best.
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What Causes Swelling Up Of Knees?

In cases of Effusions of a single joint like in this case of your son,Infection and crystalline arthropathies have to be ruled out. Synovial biopsy and looking for Mycobacterial,fungal and bacterial infections is high on the list. Also analysis of the synovial fluid for crystals has to be done.Blood coagulation profile is also needed. Injury to the knee may also be a cause of recurrent effusions.The synovial fluid is stained red or frank bloody in that case. If it is due to injury only and all other causes are ruled out,MRI of the knee may help localising the injury and you can plan for repair of the damage with the help of a qualified surgeon.Depending on the cause treatment has to be planned.Do not wait for too long for consultation with a Rheumatologist.The knee may get damaged even without pain and there can be irrepairable damage if the effusion is inflammatory.All the best.