Removing Fluid From Knee After Surgery

After the aspiration procedure your doctor may inject corticosteroid into your knee joint.

Removing fluid from knee after surgery.

Seromas may develop after a surgical procedure most often at the site of the surgical incision or where tissue was removed. A lighted tube arthroscope is inserted through a small incision into your knee joint. Joint aspiration is a procedure to remove fluid from the space around a joint using a needle and syringe. After knee replacement surgery it is important to work with a physical therapist to achieve the maximal range of motion.

This will be done by aspiration. Typically the range of motion will progress quickly during the first three months and can continue to increase for up to two years following surgery. Fluid buildup occurs after knee replacement surgery with increased wear and tear. Fluid in the knee is usually accompanied by knee pain and loss of range of motion making it difficult to walk or undergo other physical activities.

Removing fluid from the knee can help relieve pressure on the joint. The american academy of orthopaedic surgeons says athletic activities loosen small particles referred to as wear debris in the joint causing pain and fluid buildup 2. Treat the cause of your knee effusion or excess fluid. The procedure also will relieve the pressure on your joint caused by fluid buildup.

For others knee surgery or even joint replacement may be necessary. After aspirating joint fluid your doctor might inject a corticosteroid into the joint to treat inflammation. This is usually done under a local anesthetic to relieve swelling and or to obtain fluid for analysis to diagnose a joint disorder or problem. Fluid on the knee also known as water on the knee or knee effusion is the accumulation of fluid around or in the knee joint.

Fluid retention after surgery occurs due to prolonged lying in bed compromised lymphatic drainage and use of certain drugs after surgery. Retention of fluid after cardiac surgery is also common and hormonal imbalance also can be the cause. Stress results in fluid buildup and inflammation near loose joints. Many people with water on the knee will need to have the excess fluid removed.

Your doctor can remove the excess fluid in the knee through an aspiration procedure. Joint aspiration is most often done on the knee. Also known as serum or serous fluid this clear discharge of fluid is triggered by the injury and subsequent death of cells typically along an incision or where skin tissue was removed.