Treatments depend on the underlying reason for your joint inflammation.
Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or antibiotics if the swelling is caused by an infection. In some cases, they may offer a joint injection to reduce swelling and pain in the joint.
Getting a Diagnosis for Swollen Joints
You should arrange to see a specialist if:
- The swelling lasts for more than a few days
- The swelling is very painful
- You have other symptoms, including fever (a sign of septic arthritis)
Our doctor will discuss your symptoms and examine your joint(s). They may also arrange for you to have blood tests and imaging tests, such as:
In some cases, you may need further investigation, such as:
- Joint aspiration to remove the fluid for examination
- Arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) to examine your joint and repair it if necessary
Causes of Swollen Joints
Swollen joints can happen when there’s more fluid than normal in the tissues around your joints. This is due to inflammation in these tissues, which is part of your body’s natural immune response to tissue damage or infection.
If one joint is swollen, it’s usually due to a joint injury, such as a sprain, dislocation or fracture.
If more than one joint is swollen, it may be caused by an underlying condition, such as arthritis. Common types of arthritis are:
- Osteoarthritis – gradual worsening of pain and swelling that can affect just one or many joints
- Gout – often causing swelling and pain within your big toe
Other conditions include:
- Bursitis – swelling and tenderness usually in one joint caused by inflammation of the jelly-like sac that cushions your joints (bursa)
- Tendonitis – swelling, pain and sometimes crepitus due to inflammation in a tendon
- Baker’s cyst – a build-up of fluid at the back of your knee
