This morning my husband woke up with his right knee 3 times larger than his left. It looks like it is fluid build up. He says it is numb when he leans on it. What do you think it is?? What do you think he should do about it??
Dr. Joshua’s Answer:
Could be one of many things: Injury, Infection or Inflammation. There are numerous causes for those. If there is inflammation or infection, it is usually reddened, warm to the touch, and painful. If he has fever, it points to infection. Sprain or overexertion (such as doing kneeling work) could result in relatively painless hydrops (=fluid buildup). It needs to physically examined, and punctured with a needle (it’s not too bad, really) to drain the fluid, relieve discomfort and to get samples to make the diagnosis.
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