Joint swelling is the buildup of fluid in the soft tissue surrounding the joint.
Alternative NamesSwelling of a joint
ConsiderationsJoint swelling may occur along with joint pain.
Common CausesJoint swelling may be caused many different things, including:
For unexplained soft tissue joint swelling, contact your health care provider. Follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause.
Call your health care provider ifCall your health care provider if any of the following occurs:
Your health care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform a physical examination. The joint will be closely examined. You will be asked questions about your joint swelling, such as:
Tests to diagnose the cause of joint swelling may include:
Physical therapy for muscle and joint rehabilitation may be recommended.
ReferencesModer KG, Hunder GG. History and physical examination of the musculoskeletal system. In: Harris ED, Budd RC, Genovese MC, Firestein GS, Sargent JS, Sledge CB, eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2005:chap 33.
Arend WP, Lawry GV. Approach to the patient with rheumatic disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 277.
Joint swelling is the buildup of fluid in the soft tissue surrounding the joint.
Alternative NamesSwelling of a joint
ConsiderationsJoint swelling may occur along with joint pain. The swelling may cause the joint to appear larger or abnormally shaped.
Joint swelling can cause pain or stiffness. After an injury, swelling of the joint may mean you have a broken bone or a tear in the muscle tendon or ligament.
Many different types of arthritis may cause swelling, redness, or warmth around the joint.
An infection in the joint can cause swelling, pain, and fever.
Common CausesJoint swelling may be caused many different things, including:
If the joint swelling occurs after an injury, apply ice packs to reduce pain and swelling. Raise the swollen joint so that it is higher than your heart, if possible. For example, if your ankle is swollen, lay down with pillows comfortably placed underneath your foot so that your ankle and leg is slightly raised.
For those with arthritis, your doctor's treatment plan should be followed carefully.
Call your health care provider ifCall your health care provider immediately if you have joint pain and swelling with a fever.
Also call your health provider if you have:
Your health care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform a physical examination. The joint will be closely examined. You will be asked questions about your joint swelling, such as:
Tests to diagnose the cause of joint swelling may include:
Physical therapy for muscle and joint rehabilitation may be recommended.
ReferencesDavis JM III, Moder KG, Hunder GG. History and physical examination of the musculoskeletal system. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Harris ED Jr, et al, eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 35.
Bearcroft PPW. Joint disease. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 50.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 07/23/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
bunion
The bursae around the hip joint are deeper, and swelling is not obvious.
It is used to releave swelling and joint pain.
That could be just a sprain.
It is used to releave swelling and joint pain.
The inflammation of a joint that may lead to changes in the joint's structure. It causes pain and swelling.
The inflammation of a joint that may lead to changes in the joint's structure. It causes pain and swelling.
My best friend has Crohns and suffers from a lot of joint pain and swelling in her joints.
Your scapula is your shoulder blade. So any swelling in the top of your back or by your shoulder joint.
That is frequent finding to see that patient with hemophilia gets the swelling, usually of one of the knee joint.
Dislocation, Severe swelling and pain occurs.
Inflammation.