Anybody had their knee drained?

[Urban Sports]

If so how did you get on with it? I'm 33 and have been suffering with a very painful swollen knee on and off for around 3 years.

Basically I've been passed from pillar to post from doctors to consultants to physios.

Anyway finally I'm told there is some very mild arthritis in it but nobody seems to explain why it keeps happening.

Enough was enough I went and saw the doctor again as I couldn't walk, he drained it and was surprised at how much fluid came out he then injected it with a steroid, he said after some rest it should be good for at least a month hopefully more.

Anybody have anything similar, and how did you get on?

Edited by Urban Sports on Tuesday 2nd August 22:58

[Urban Sports]

Just me then?

[drdc1971]

In general people do pretty well after steroid injections with the symptoms settling for a decent length of time. It does depend on the type of arthritis and how much inflammatory activity there is. If it remains in one knee there is a bit of evidence for injecting other things to carry out a chemical synovectomy if the problem does not settle with the steroid injections. Hopefully the injection will do the trick!

[The_Doc]

Persistent fluid would prompt me to investigate further. Diagnosis, then treatment directed at cause. Simply draining usually doesn't prevent recurrence. Steroids (repeated) eventually weaken cartilage and risk infection.

[Urban Sports]

The_Doc said:

Persistent fluid would prompt me to investigate further. Diagnosis, then treatment directed at cause. Simply draining usually doesn't prevent recurrence. Steroids (repeated) eventually weaken cartilage and risk infection.

I'm assuming that the steroid was a one off for now, just to get me on my feet for my Brothers wedding last Thursday.

It did the trick and now the swelling is completely gone (touches wood). The general consensus is that the treadmill in the gym is to blame.

I've now bitten the bullet and given that up and will probably cycle / cross train from now on. Hopefully this may be the end of it.

[Urban Sports]

Well it wasn't the end of it, since I started this thread I've had a couple of cortisone injections in each knee both have been 12 months apart and I hadn't had it drained since until today.

The doctor says I need a knee flush for both so I'm waiting on that.

Anyway here was what was drained today



Nice!!

[Jazzer]

Hi!

I've had swelling and some pain in my right knee since May.

X-ray showed nothing of note, but MRI revealed mild osteoarthritis.

I'm a runner and use steppers!

Anyway, I had it drained two weeks ago, with the usual cortisone injection to follow.

Swelling has been banished for now, even after exercise.

Fingers crossed, but no doubt it will recur.

Mind you, I'm 49, so knocking on a wee bit!

Jazzer

[technodup]

I had my left one drained 13 years ago and the other one filled up last week. Four Naproxen and it's fine again.

Think I caught it in time this time. Thankfully because I remember it being a big needle.