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Working With An Orthopedist

A few years ago, I decided to take up running. I was bad at it at first, but after a few months, I got more comfortable. Unfortunately, right when I got good at running, I developed a bad pain in my left foot. At first, I decided to push past the pain, but it quickly became excruciating. I realized that it might be a good idea to talk with a doctor about my problem, and so I met with an orthopedist. He carefully watched my gait as I ran, and he decided to take some images to check out my bone health. It turned out that I had developed a stress fracture, and my doctor recommended surgery. This blog is all about ways that an orthopedist can help you, so that you can enjoy your hobbies.

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Working With An Orthopedist

Swollen Knee: What's Going On With Your Knee?

by Jessie Hawkins

If one of your knees is extremely swollen with fluid, you may wonder if it's time to see an orthopedic surgeon for care. If the swelling in your knee is severe enough to limit movement in your lower body, you should see a doctor right away. An orthopedist can determine why your knee looks and feels the way it does for you. Learn more about your swollen knee and how to treat it below.

What Can Cause the Knee to Swell With Fluid?

A number of possible things can cause the knee to swell with fluid, including knee effusion. Knee effusion occurs when fluid forms inside or around the knee joint. The condition can occur after you injure or traumatize the soft tissues in your knee, or it can occur if you have arthritis in your knee.

Swelling is one of the most common symptoms of knee effusion. The excess fluid can also make the knee feel stiff, tender, and painful over time. You may even struggle to rise from bed in the morning or stand on your leg during the day. 

It's not a good idea to treat knee effusion at home. The swelling and other symptoms in your knee could get worse with time. However, you can find relief by consulting an orthopedist or knee surgery doctor for treatment.

How Do You Treat Knee Effusion?

In order to discover the cause of your knee effusion, a doctor will need to examine your knee. Along with arthritis and physical trauma, bacterial infections, pseudogout, and several other bone and soft tissue conditions can also cause knee swelling.

A doctor may use blood tests to find signs of excessive:

  • pus, which may indicate a bacterial and viral infection
  • proteins, which may indicate gout and pseudogout
  • red blood activity, which may indicate arthritis or soft tissue damage

After the tests, a doctor may provide a number of treatments for you, including knee surgery. An orthopedist may use surgery to:

  • alleviate fluid buildup in your knee
  • improve the functions of your knee
  • repair damage to your knee

If arthritis, gout, or trauma caused tremendous damage in your knee, a doctor can replace the tissue with an artificial knee. You may need to take special medications or eat a specific diet before knee replacement surgery. A doctor will discuss any other preparations you need to make or take prior to your surgery.

Learn more about knee effusion by contacting a knee surgery doctor today.

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