HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Swollen And Blue Knee?

I have had knee pain for a week yet I don t recall injuring it at all. Tuesday it started swelling and today it is turning black and blue. Is that common? My doctor prescribed Etodolac 400 mg on Monday and I m seeing an orthopedic Dr on the 9th of March.
Tue, 10 Mar 2015
Report Abuse
Pathologist and Microbiologist 's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Pain in the knee joint without any history of trauma needs to be investigated.
Pain along with swelling and blue-black discolouration of the knee joint is suggestive of spontaneous effusion or more likely bleeding in the knee joint.
Blue-black colour can occur if there is underlying bleeding in the knee joint.
An arthroscopic examination of the knee joint is required to look for evidence of effusion and in case fluid is present, examination of the fluid collected in the knee joint is required.
At the same time assessment of coagulation system is required which includes- platelet count, bleeding time, clotting time, PT, INR and aPTT.
These investigations will determine if any abnormality is present in the coagulation system which may be responsible for spontaneous bleeding into the knee joint.
Consult your orthopedician for these investigations.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Swollen And Blue Knee?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Pain in the knee joint without any history of trauma needs to be investigated. Pain along with swelling and blue-black discolouration of the knee joint is suggestive of spontaneous effusion or more likely bleeding in the knee joint. Blue-black colour can occur if there is underlying bleeding in the knee joint. An arthroscopic examination of the knee joint is required to look for evidence of effusion and in case fluid is present, examination of the fluid collected in the knee joint is required. At the same time assessment of coagulation system is required which includes- platelet count, bleeding time, clotting time, PT, INR and aPTT. These investigations will determine if any abnormality is present in the coagulation system which may be responsible for spontaneous bleeding into the knee joint. Consult your orthopedician for these investigations. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri