Diagnosis

Frequently, no treatment is necessary for a swollen joint and the swelling disappears on its own after a few days. Above all, it is important to take care of the affected joint. This is especially true for joint swelling caused by overloading or injury.

Cold applications are often used to support this process. For this purpose, cooling packs wrapped in towels (not without a compress, as this can lead to frostbite) or cooling ointments can be used. Heat applications are useful in very few cases and sometimes even counterproductive.

In the case of arthrosis, heat applications can provide partial relief. In addition to cold applications, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory preparations can be used. These preparations are usually used in the form of locally applied gels.

Voltaren® with the active ingredient diclofenac, for example, is frequently used. However, drugs such as diclofenac, ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid can also be used in tablet form. If there is an inflammatory cause for the joint swelling, the doctor can inject cortisone and sometimes a mild anaesthetic into the joint space to relieve the symptoms.

If there is a large accumulation of fluid, which is associated with severe limitations for the patient, the doctor will perform a joint puncture to remove fluid and thus relieve the joint. The puncture does not help to remove the cause of the swelling, but only functions as a symptomatic, symptomatic intervention to alleviate symptoms. In addition, the puncture has the advantage that the extracted fluid can be examined for pathogens or other abnormalities and thus, if necessary, the cause can be identified. In the case of arthrosis, the patient is generally advised to engage in sports that are easy on the joints, including swimming and cycling. and therapy of rheumatoid arthritis

Duration

How long a joint is swollen cannot be answered in general, this depends on the underlying cause. If it is a sports injury, the swelling usually subsides after a few days. If a rheumatic illness lies at the basis, the swelling can last for weeks. Particularly with rheumatic illnesses the complaints exist longer. Starting from a continuous joint swelling of six weeks or longer, a rheumatic illness becomes more probable.