Evaluation of the Effect of Excess Synovial Fluid on Knee Joint Pain in Patients with Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Joint pain and swelling are common symptoms of osteoarthritis. The fluid collects mainly in the suprapatellar bursa. Persisting excess synovial fluid accelerates the degeneration of joint tissues and contributes to limited mobility.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 150 patients with knee osteoarthritis whose ultrasound examination of the suprapatellar bursa showed > 4 mm of fluid in the transverse and longitudinal dimensions. A VAS analog scale was used to assess pain intensity in four settings: at rest, climbing stairs, walking on flat ground, and at night.

RESULTS: There was no correlation in the study group between an excessive amount of synovial fluid in the suprapatellar bursa and pain severity during movement and at rest.

CONCLUSIONS: Excess synovial fluid in the suprapatellar bursa is not associated with knee joint pain at night, at rest, and when climbing stairs and walking on flat ground.