Is it good to drain fluid from the knee?
Disease description:
My knee has been swollen and painful recently, making it difficult to walk. After a hospital examination, I was told there is fluid accumulation in the knee. The doctor recommended aspiration for treatment, but I feel somewhat concerned. I would like to know whether aspiration is truly beneficial for knee fluid accumulation.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Knee joint effusion, medically known as knee joint fluid accumulation, commonly occurs in various diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, meniscus injuries, etc. The treatment approach of draining fluid from the knee must be determined based on the specific medical condition.
If the amount of accumulated fluid is large and causes significant pain, swelling, or adversely affects joint function, then draining the fluid can be an effective treatment option. By removing the fluid, symptoms can be alleviated to some extent, joint mobility can improve, and thus the patient's quality of life can be enhanced. However, fluid drainage only provides temporary symptom relief and does not address the underlying cause. After draining the fluid, comprehensive treatment methods should be employed, such as targeted medication, physical therapy based on the underlying cause, or surgery if necessary.
In addition, the fluid drainage procedure must be performed under strictly sterile conditions in order to minimize the risk of infection. Following the procedure, local pain, redness, or swelling may occur, but these reactions usually subside on their own within a short period. However, if abnormal symptoms such as fever or persistent redness and swelling develop, the patient should seek immediate medical attention to prevent further progression of the condition.
