KNEE EFFUSION

Course overview

THE KNEE IS A HINGE JOINT AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO INJURY FROM TRAUMA, INFLAMMATION, INFECTION, AND DEGENERATIVE CHANGES. A KNEE EFFUSION MAY RESULT FROM ACUTE OR CHRONIC CONDITIONS. CAUSES RANGE FROM TRAUMA OR OVERUSE TO SYSTEMIC DISEASE. RECOGNITION OF THE BASIC ANATOMY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF KNEE EFFUSIONS IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS. HOWEVER, THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN MAKING THE DIAGNOSIS WILL BE TO CORRELATE FINDINGS WITH A THOROUGH HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAM. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WHO PRESENT WITH KNEE EFFUSION AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN IMPROVING CARE FOR THOSE WITH THIS CONDITION.