“Despite the pain in my knee, I neglected it and it made the condition worse and the pain worsened.”
Such cases are frequent.
The cause may be related to the presence of water in the knee.
So this time, I will explain the causes and treatment of water in the knee.
If you have been diagnosed with water in your knees in the past, or if you are currently suffering from knee pain, please refer to it.
table of contents
What does it mean to have water on your knees?
Fluid in the knee is a condition in which the amount of joint fluid in the knee increases.
A normal person has about 1 to 3 ml of synovial fluid, but some people with inflammation may have more than 30 ml.
Synovial fluid provides nutrients to cartilage and lubricates joint movement.
The synovial membrane covering the synovial fluid regulates the amount of this synovial fluid.
The synovial membrane normally picks up old synovial fluid and secretes new synovial fluid.
When the synovial membrane becomes inflamed, the balance between the collection and secretion of joint fluid is disrupted, and water accumulates in the knee.
Knee pain and inflammation will get worse if you leave the knee with water.
In the worst cases, surgery may be required.
Early treatment is necessary to prevent symptoms from getting worse.
What causes water on your knees?
We have summarized the main causes of water on the knee.
If you want to know the cause, please refer to it.
[Causes of water pooling in the knee ①] Osteoarthritis of the knee
Osteoarthritis of the knee is a joint disease caused by inflammation within the knee.
Common symptoms include:
- Knee pain when bending over or standing up
- Knee pain when going up and down stairs
- There is a sound (crunching, creaking) when you move your knee.
In the late stages of the disease, just standing is painful and daily activities become difficult.
Aging is the main cause of knee osteoarthritis.
In addition, obesity, muscle weakness, and past sports history are also related.
In particular, it can be said that it is a disease that is easy to develop in those who abuse their knees.
In osteoarthritis of the knee, the cartilage tissue wears away.
As the cartilage tissue wears away, the lost pieces irritate the synovial membrane, making it easier for fluid to accumulate in the knee.
[Causes of water pooling in the knee ②] Meniscus injury
A meniscus injury is a condition in which the menisci on the inside and outside of the knee are damaged and torn.
The meniscus acts as a cushion when the joint is under load.
When the meniscus is damaged, the role of the cushion is lost, and strong pain is likely to occur during exercise.
Common symptoms of a meniscus injury include:
- knee pain when walking
- Knee swollen and warm
- Pain when bending or straightening the knee
The main cause of meniscal injury is trauma.
It can occur when the knee is twisted in a car accident or sports, or when a strong impact is applied to the knee.
Another reason is that the meniscus deteriorates with age and becomes more susceptible to damage. In older people, the meniscus can be damaged during daily activities.
When the meniscus is damaged, the synovial membrane becomes inflamed and fluid easily accumulates.
[Causes of water in the knees ③] Infectious diseases, rheumatism, and gout
Infectious diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and other diseases can easily accumulate in the knees.
The main symptoms vary depending on the disease, but "pain in the base of the toes, instep, ankle joints, etc." will be mentioned.
These causes include poor diet, lack of exercise, and genetic factors.
The disease causes inflammation in the synovial membrane, making it easier for water to accumulate.
What to do when you have water in your knees
Here's what to do when you have water on your knees.
Please use it when making a treatment policy.
[What to do when water accumulates on your knees ①] Drain water accumulated on your knees
By draining the water accumulated in the knee and checking the color and condition of the water, it becomes easier to identify the cause of inflammation in the knee.
The color of the knee water and the possible causes are as follows:
- Water color is yellow and transparent → Knee osteoarthritis
- Turbid white → infection, rheumatism, gout
- Red or brown → Trauma such as meniscus injury
Once the cause is identified, it is necessary to treat each symptom according to the appropriate treatment method.
[What to do when water accumulates in the knee ②] MRI examination
An MRI can help us understand the condition of the knee tissue and help identify the cause of the knee swelling.
The test takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour, and a diagnosis can be made on the same day.
It can be said that it is a suitable examination method for those who need a reliable diagnosis early.
[What to do when water accumulates in the knee ③] Treat for each cause
Once the cause of the knee swelling is identified by draining the knee or performing an MRI, treatment is given for each cause.
Currently, there are various treatment methods such as exercise therapy, drug therapy, surgery, and regenerative medicine (regenerating knee cartilage by itself).
If the knee is left to collect fluid, inflammation and pain are likely to worsen.
Therefore, it is necessary to identify the cause as soon as possible and select the appropriate treatment method for each symptom.
summary
This time, I explained the causes and treatment of water in the knee.
Causes of fluid accumulation in the knee include osteoarthritis of the knee, meniscal injury, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
In order to identify the cause, let's find out the cause by draining the water or performing an MRI examination.
Leaving water in your knees can exacerbate pain and inflammation.
Find out the cause as soon as possible and choose the best treatment method according to the symptoms.
If you feel any abnormalities in your knees in your daily life and the pain continues, we recommend that you visit a nearby medical institution.
If you suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee, consult a specialist
Causes of developing knee osteoarthritis include “hereditary causes”, “long-term vigorous exercise”, and “aging of joints and cartilage”.
In the unlikely event that you experience knee pain due to osteoarthritis or suspected knee osteoarthritis, be aware of the following "don'ts".
<What not to do when osteoarthritis of the knee is suspected (movement)>
- Sit directly on the flooring or tatami
- use a futon
- Various activities involving deep bending and stretching, such as horigotatsu and Japanese-style toilets
- strenuous exercise
- drinking alcohol or smoking
Such
Effective treatments for knee osteoarthritis include “conservative therapy (treatment that delays symptoms)” and “surgical therapy (treatment that involves direct surgery on the knee, etc.)”.
If the symptoms become severe, there is a possibility that you will have to choose surgical therapy that puts a heavy burden on the body, such as artificial joint replacement surgery.
On the other hand, the technology of "regenerative medicine", which uses autologous stem cells to alleviate the burden on the body while treating it, is also progressing, so it is recommended for those who are suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee.
Omotesando Helene Clinic specializes in regenerative medicine that does not place a burden on the body, and has acquired the "GCR: Global Clinic Rating Certification", which is a proof that it exceeds international standards.
If you are currently suffering from knee pain, please feel free to contact us once.
・ Inquiry form (email correspondence): https://okusurinabi.com/contact/
[Regenerative Medicine Outpatient] 03-3400-2277
Knee pain casts a dark shadow on everyday life. Even if it is a small discomfort, it is important to treat it at an early stage, so if you are interested, please refer to this article and feel free to contact us.
Supervision: Dr. Yasushi Tsuda