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Joint swelling
Definition
Joint swelling is the build up of fluid in the soft tissue surrounding the joint.
Alternative Names
Swelling of a joint
Considerations
Joint swelling may occur along with joint pain.
Causes
• Osteoarthritis
• Trauma
• Acute gouty arthritis (gout)
• Chronic gouty arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Enteropathic arthropathy
• Infection
• Ludwig's angina
• Pseudogout
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Reiter's syndrome
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Hemarthrosis
Home Care
For unexplained soft tissue joint swelling, contact your health care provider. Follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if any of the following occurs:
• Severe, unexplained joint pain
• Severe, unexplained stiffness or swelling, especially if accompanied by other unexplained symptoms
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your health care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform a physical examination. The joint(s) will be closely examined. You will be asked questions about your joint swelling,
such as:
• Location
• Which joint is swollen?
• Is more than one joint swollen?
• Time pattern
• When did the joint swelling develop?
• Is it always swollen or does it come and go?
• Is this the first time you have had swollen joints?
• Quality
• How swollen is the area?
• If you press over the swollen area with a finger, does it leave a dent after you take the finger away?
• Aggravating factors
• What makes the swelling worse?
• Is it any worse in the morning or at night?
• Does exercise make it worse?
• Relieving factors
• What make the swelling better?
• Does elevating the affected body part make the swelling go down?
• Is it better if you use an elastic wrap?
• What home treatment have you tried? How effective was it?
• Other
• What other symptoms are also present?
• Is there joint pain?
• Is there fever?
• Is there a rash?
Tests to diagnose the cause of joint swelling may include:
• Blood studies (such as a CBC or blood differential)
• Joint x-rays
• Joint aspiration and examination of joint fluid
Physical therapy for muscle and joint rehabilitation may be recommended.
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Reviewed By:Jeffrey Kauffman, MD, Sacramento Knee and Sports Medicine, Sacramento, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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