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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Fluid buildup from trauma
Your knee is the most complex joint in your body. It functions like a hinge, allowing your knee to bend and straighten. Damage to any part of your knee can cause the painful buildup of excess joint (synovial) fluid. The synovial fluid may contain irritating crystals, bacteria or blood.
Examples of traumatic injuries that cause fluid buildup in and around the knee joint are:
- Broken bones (fractures)
- Meniscus tear
- Ligament tear
- Overuse injuries
Fluid buildup from underlying conditions
The most common cause of knee problems is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage and may affect any joint in your body.
Underlying diseases and conditions that may produce fluid buildup in and around the knee joint include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Infection
- Gout
- Pseudogout
- Kneecap (prepatellar) bursitis
- Cysts
- Tumors
