12/9/2023 0 Comments Swelling and excess fluid in kneeOsteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes damage and wear to the cartilage and tissue surrounding the knee bones. You can find out more about the cause of swelling on the side of the knee from ligament tears and how to treat them in the Knee Ligament Injury section. The larger the tear, the more swelling there is likely to be. With ligament tears, the swelling at the side of the knee tends to be fairly localised around the area where the tear is. Lateral Collateral Ligament Tear: causes swelling on the outside of the knee.Medial Collateral Ligament Tear: causes swelling on the inside of the knee.The location of the knee swelling will depend on which ligament is torn: This extra pressure can cause the area to become puffy and painful. Ligament tears can cause swelling because they disrupt the normal flow of fluid in the joint and can cause extra fluid to collect around the joint. These unexpected motions can stretch or tear the ligaments, resulting in instability and decreased range of motion. Knee collateral ligament injuries are often caused by sudden, sharp movements like twisting the knee or making a hard landing. They help to keep the knee stable and provide support when you move your leg. The knee collateral ligaments (MCL & LCL) are two strong bands of tissue that sit on either side of the knee joint. You can find more about how cartilage tears cause swelling on the side of the knee and how to treat them in the Meniscus Tear section. Swelling on the side of the knee from a meniscus tear tends to fairly diffuse rather than a specific lump or pocket of swelling. Lateral Meniscus Tear: causes swelling on outside of knee.Medial Meniscus Tear: causes swelling on inside of knee (most common).The location of the swelling will depend on which part of the meniscus is torn: This fluid puts extra pressure on the area around the tear, leading to swelling and discomfort. Everyday use of the knee can cause the meniscus to fray or tear.Ĭartilage tears can cause bleeding and a build-up of excess synovial fluid in the joint. This is particularly common over the age of 60 as the meniscus becomes more brittle with age. Wear & Tear: repetitive force or friction through the knee can slowly wear away the meniscus resulting in cartilage tears.sporting tackles where the knee twists awkwardly, particularly when wearing cleats An Injury: sudden overloading or pinching of the meniscus e.g.It cushions the knee and helps to improve stability and movement of the joint, acting like a shield to keep the bones from grinding against each other when you move your leg.Ĭartilage tears are a common cause of swelling on the side of the knee and may be caused by: The knee meniscus is a flexible, rubbery pad that sits between your thighbone and shinbone. Occasionally an acute haemarthrosis may be drained with a needle and syringe to make the knee more comfortable.The knee has a very thick layer of cartilage known as the meniscus that helps to protect the joint. Classically the haemarthrosis associated with an acute meniscal tear develops over many hours. ![]() A rapidly forming haemarthrosis, forming in minutes to a few hours, may be associated with a ligament tear or an underlying fracture. ![]() If the knee sustains a direct injury it may fill with blood, called a haemarthrosis. If the swelling gets tense, the range of movement in the knee becomes restricted. This leads to swelling, an effusion, and a sensation of tightness within the joint. The synovial lining of the knee often produces excess amounts of fluid in response to inflammation or direct injury. This complex fluid plays an essential role in lubricating the joint and provides nourishment to the cartilage surfaces covering the bone. ![]() ![]() The normal volume (3 to 5mls) of fluid does not cause visible swelling. It is normal for the knee to contain a small amount of yellowish liquid or ‘synovial fluid’.
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