Joint Effusion Treatment

A joint is a point where two bones meet. Joints are important parts of the body that help us in movement. Synovial joints, that are the most common joints and allow maximum movement, have a fluid around them. This fluid is secreted by the lining of the capsule that encloses the joint. The fluid provides lubrication that prevents wear and tear of the ends of the bones, that meet at the joint. However, due to certain reasons there may be over-secretion of the fluid. This condition is referred to as joint effusion or swollen joints. Joint effusion treatment depends upon the cause that resulted in excess secretion of the joint fluid. Let us first understand the factors that trigger a joint effusion.

Joint Effusion Causes
Joint effusion may be caused due to injury or due to following conditions:

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is caused due to wear and tear in the cartilage that cover the ends of the bones that meet at a joint. This damage to the cartilage may be due to over use of the joint or even an injury. Osteoarthritis is accompanied with acute joint pain. It most commonly affects joints of the knee, hip, spine and the feet that bear weight.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is an inflammatory arthritis that can interfere with one's daily activities due to swollen joints and pain in them. Unlike osteoarthritis which occurs in older people, rheumatoid arthritis can affect individuals of any age, even young children.

Gout
In case of gout, crystals of uric acid accumulate in the joints and these cause inflammation and pain. The symptoms are swollen joints with acute pain, warmth and redness. More than one joint may be affected by gout.

Infections
Bacterial, viral or fungal infections in the tissues or fluid of a joint may cause joint effusion. Joint infection is caused when the organism responsible for an earlier infection reaches the joint, through blood. Infectious arthritis or septic arthritis is one of the conditions in which besides pain and swelling of the joint, one may also develop fever.

Injury to the Joint
Sprains, fractures or other injuries and trauma can cause joint effusion. The parts affected may include tendons, ligaments, cartilage or muscles surrounding a joint.

Joint Effusion Treatment

Be it hip joint effusion treatment or knee joint effusion treatment, there is no definitive approach towards treatment for joint effusion. The course of action that a medical practitioner may take for joint effusion treatment depends upon the problem or the diagnosis of the condition.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat joint effusions that may be caused due to injury or osteoarthritis. Steroidal medicines may also be taken to reduce pain and swelling in joints. Application of heat or ice packs along with these medicines also greatly reduce discomfort in the swollen joints. While taking these medicines orally is the most common practice, anti-inflammatory drugs such as steroids may also be injected into the joint. These injections provide temporary relief from joint pain and swelling.

In some case the excess fluid may be required to be removed with the help of a needle. This is known as aspiration. If a joint infection is suspected, then some of the fluid may be taken out by the same method for analysis. Knee joint effusion treatment or ankle joint effusion treatment may include keeping the affected part at an elevated position. This prevents further swelling of the joint. One should avoid any stress to the joint during the healing process. Bed rest works well for the swollen joint to recover fast.

Injuries often cause pain and swelling in joints which usually subside with proper rest and some medicines that are taken at home. However, if the discomfort persists for long, it is best not to indulge in joint effusion treatment on one's own. Like already mentioned, joint effusion treatment is very specific to the cause. Hence, it is best left to the judgment of a medical practitioner.