What Causes Severe Fluid Retention In Knee?

Posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 17 Mar 2015 Answered on

Mon, 13 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : What could cause severe fluid on the knee, when no trauma was known. Past knee surgery 28 yrs ago. This is a 42 year old male, 5'11", 180 lbs.

Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Knee effusion possibly can be monoarticular rheumatoid arthritis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I have read your query.

Knee effusion possibly can be monoarticular rheumatoid arthritis.
I will advise blood test like RA factor, ACCP, ESR, complete blood count, HLA B27 to confirm it.
Synovial fluid examination may help to confirm diagnosis.

Another possibility can be knee infection.
Blood investigation will help in diagnosis.

If swelling persists then you may need to do MRI again to see for any functional defect.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar