These types of procedures tend to work better in younger patients with more acute injuries. Smaller, more localised areas of injury may be helped with restorative procedures to try and regenerate new cartilage to fill the damaged area. If conservative treatment has not helped then different surgical options may be considered. The treatment for articular cartilage damage depends upon the symptoms and size of the problem. What is the treatment for articular cartilage damage? Occasionally an acute haemarthrosis may be drained with a needle and syringe to make the knee more comfortable. Classically the haemarthrosis associated with an acute meniscal tear develops over many hours. A rapidly forming haemarthrosis (minutes to a few hours) may be associated with a ligament tear or an underlying fracture.

If the knee sustains a direct injury it may fill with blood (termed a “Haemarthrosis”). If the swelling gets tense the range of movement in the knee becomes restricted. This leads to swelling (“an effusion”) and a tightness sensation within the joint. The synovial lining of the knee often produces excess amounts of fluid in response to inflammation or direct injury. This complex fluid plays an essential role in lubricating the joint and provides nourishment to the cartilage surfaces covering the bone. The normal volume (3 to 5mls) of fluid does not cause visible swelling. It is normal for the knee to contain a small amount of yellowish liquid or “synovial fluid”. Initially this pain may only occur following exercise and training but, without adequate rest and treatment it can develop into a more constant and limiting pain. Typically this pain is associated with crouching or twisting activities.īurning pains are often due to injury or inflammation in or around a tendon e.g.

This may intermittently get caught within the joint causing pain and then settle down quite rapidly over a few days. Sudden sharp pains may imply a mechanical problem within the knee, such as a torn cartilage (meniscal tear). Often this type of pain is worse during and after activity and may be particularly severe at night. This may be caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis or inflammatory conditions such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis. The pain may be characterised by different features:Ī constant, dull, aching pain within the joint often suggests inflammation and wear. Pain is by far the commonest symptom presenting to the knee clinic.

Fluid in knee pain