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How to Remove Fluid From Knee Joints Naturally
Water on the knee is a swelling of knee joint caused by too much fluid 12. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms for water on the knee include pain, swelling, bruising and stiffness 12. Causes include injury, arthritis, grout and infection. When swelling on the knee is caused by a excess fluid buildup, some at-home remedies can ease your symptoms and get the swelling down to a manageable level.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Cut down the activity that makes the swelling worse. For example, if your knee swells when cleaning the house, let the dust build up for a few weeks and allow your knee to rest; a dirty house is better than a damaged knee.
Home Remedy to Remove Fluid Around the Knee
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Apply ice to the knee for 20 minutes every two hours. Ice packs can be purchased from your local drug store and come with a protective wrapper. For an easy homemade ice pack, use a large bag of frozen peas or cranberries--just make sure not to eat them afterward.
Elevate your knee above your heart whenever possible. If you use a computer, switch to a laptop. If you like to watch TV, sit with your leg on top of the couch.
Ligament Tear & Knee Hyperextension
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Wrap your knee lightly with an elastic bandage. Another alternative is to purchase a surgical stocking from a pharmacy. A non-prescription strength surgical stocking will apply even pressure to your entire leg, and reduces the danger of wrapping your knee too tightly.
Warnings
Consult a physician for a proper diagnosis. Selling of the knee is not always caused by excess fluid. Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap in a thin cloth first. If your lower leg turns blue or becomes cold after bandaging, your bandage is too tight. Remove, allow the circulation to return, and rewrap the knee.
Related Articles
References
- bigkneepain.com; Water on the knee
- Mayo Clinic; Water on the knee
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Writer Bio
Stephanie Ellen teaches mathematics and statistics at the university and college level. She coauthored a statistics textbook published by Houghton-Mifflin. She has been writing professionally since 2008. Ellen holds a Bachelor of Science in health science from State University New York, a master's degree in math education from Jacksonville University and a Master of Arts in creative writing from National University.