My patient sent me the above picture recently asking for help. Her knee became swollen after a recent run. After icing her knee, she decided to use some "imitation/ copy cat" Kinesio Tapes but that didn't resolve the swelling and worse still gave her an allergic reaction.
Knee joint effusions (or swelling) are usually caused by the knee joint producing more synovial fluid due to aggravating factors causing damage to the joint.
As little as 5 ml of fluid can increase pressure within the knee joint. This can be a source of discomfort and concern for the person affected.
It takes a very small volume of fluid in the knee (20-30 mls) to result in biomechanical changes. The quadriceps will be inhibited as a result (meaning you are less willing to use that muscle) and strength decreases rapidly.
It has also been found that swelling in the knee affects joint mechanics particularly during landing tasks. If someone has effusions in the knee, they tend to land with greater ground reaction forces (or impact) and in greater knee extension (or straightening). This results in more forces transmitted to the knee joint and its ligaments. So you can't run and jump quite as well.
When we see knee joint swelling in our clinics, we try to remove the swelling pronto. Flossing the knee joint, using correct Kinesio taping techniques with genuine Kinesio tapes definitely helps.
My favorite is of course aqua based rehabilitation/ deep water running to take advantage of hydrostatic pressure to help with the swelling. This also allows for quadriceps/ hamstrings strengthening early on without additional loading.
If the patient has more severe effusions, we may suggest altering their gait temporarily (we call this pain free walking), using non-steroidal anti inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) or even suggest they get the joint aspirated (I've tried it, it hurts like crazy).
Once the swelling settles, it will quickly and significantly reduce internal pressure in the knee as well as improve quadriceps strength.
We will quickly select rehabilitation exercises to allow specific quadriceps muscle recruitment without increasing intra articular pressure with knee extension. This is usually done in positions of partial knee flexion (20-30 degrees).
Now you know. Come see us in our clinics if your knees are swollen.
References
Hart JM, Pietrosimone B et al (2010). Quadriceps Activation Following Knee Injuries: A Systematic Review. J Athl Trg. 45(1): 87-97. DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-45.1.87.
Palmieri-Smith RM, Kreinbrink J et al (2007). Quadriceps Inhibition By An Experimental Knee Joint Effusion Affects Knee Joint Mechanics During A Single-Legged Drop Landing. AJSM. 35(8): 1269-1275. DOI://doi.org/0.1177/0363546506296417.
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