Medicine:Joint effusion
| Joint effusion | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A traumatic right knee effusion. Note the swelling lateral to the kneecap as marked by the arrow. | |
| Specialty | Orthopedics, rheumatology |
A joint effusion is the presence of increased intra-articular fluid.[1] It may affect any joint. Commonly it involves the knee.
Diagnostic approach
The approach to diagnosis depends on the joint involved. While aspiration of the joint is considered the gold standard of treatment, this can be difficult for joints such as the hip. Ultrasound may be used both to verify the existence of an effusion and to guide aspiration.[2]
Skyline view of the patella demonstrating a large joint effusion as marked by the arrow.
A schematic drawing showing the sail sign which represents an effusion.
Differential diagnosis
There are many causes of joint effusion. It may result from trauma, inflammation, hematologic conditions, or infections.[1]
Septic arthritis
Septic arthritis is the purulent invasion of a joint by an infectious agent[3][4] with a resultant large effusion due to inflammation.[5] Septic arthritis is a serious condition. It can lead to irreversible joint damage in the event of delayed diagnosis or mismanagement. It is basically a disease of children and adolescence.[4]
Gout
Gout is usually present with recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis (red, tender, hot, swollen joint). It is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood that crystallizes and deposits in joints, tendons, and surrounding tissues. Gout affects 1% of individuals in Western populations at some point in their lives.[6]
Trauma
Trauma from ligamentous, osseous or meniscal injuries can result in an effusion.[7] These are often hemarthrosis or bloody effusions.[citation needed]
Treatment
The treatment for Joint effusion include icing, rest and medication as advised by your doctor.[8]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Approach to knee effusions". Pediatr Emerg Care 25 (11): 773–786; quiz 787–788. November 2009. doi:10.1097/PEC.0b013e3181bec987. PMID 19915432.
- ↑ Marx, John (2010). "Chapter 53". Rosen's emergency medicine: concepts and clinical practice (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Mosby/Elsevier. ISBN 978-0323054720.
- ↑ "septic arthritis" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 El-Sobky, T; Mahmoud, S (July 2021). "Acute osteoarticular infections in children are frequently forgotten multidiscipline emergencies: beyond the technical skills.". EFORT Open Reviews 6 (7): 584–592. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.6.200155. PMID 34377550.
- ↑ Marx, John (2010). "Chapter 134". Rosen's emergency medicine: concepts and clinical practice (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Mosby/Elsevier. ISBN 978-0323054720.
- ↑ "Gout: an evidence-based review". J Clin Rheumatol 14 (5 Suppl): S55–62. October 2008. doi:10.1097/RHU.0b013e3181896921. PMID 18830092.
- ↑ Johnson MW (April 2000). "Acute knee effusions: a systematic approach to diagnosis". Am Fam Physician 61 (8): 2391–2400. PMID 10794580.
- ↑ "A to Z: Joint Effusion". KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/AetnaBetterHealthKentucky/en/parents/az-joint-effusion.html.
External links
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