MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Joint swelling

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Joint swelling

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Considerations	Common Causes Home Care Call your health care provider if What to expect at your health care provider's office

Illustrations

The structure of a joint

Alternative names Return to top

Swelling of a joint; Knee swelling; Toe swelling; Finger swelling; Hip swelling

Definition Return to top

Swelling occurs in the joints when fluid accumulates in the soft tissue, such as "water on the knee."

Considerations Return to top

Joint swelling may occur along with joint pain.

Common Causes Return to top

Home Care Return to top

For unexplained soft tissue joint swelling, contact your health care provider. Follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause.

Call your health care provider if Return to top

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 health care provider's office Return to top

Your health care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform a physical examination.

Medical history questions documenting joint swelling may include the following:

Location
- Which joint is swollen?
  - Is it the big toe?
  - Is the jaw or neck swollen?
- Are multiple joints swollen?
Time pattern
- When did the joint swelling develop?
- Is it always present or off and on?
- 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?

The physical examination will include a detailed examination of the affected joint(s).

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:

Blood studies (such as a CBC or blood differential)
Joint X-rays

Physical therapy for muscle and joint rehabilitation may be recommended.

Update Date: 7/4/2004

Updated by: Andrew L. Chen, M.D., M.S., Steadman-Hawkins Sports Medicine Foundation, Vail, CO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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