Water on the knee

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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

Water on the knee is typically the result of a chronic health condition or traumatic injury. To prevent water on the knee, work with your doctor and other members of your health care team to manage the condition or traumatic injury that causes it. Avoiding trauma isn't always possible, but you can take safety measures — such as wearing a brace your doctor or physical therapist prescribes to protect your knee joint during physical activity.

To avoid water on the knee:

  • See your doctor regularly. See your doctor regularly if you have a chronic health condition, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
  • Follow through on your doctor's directions. Take the medications your doctor prescribes to treat the underlying disease or condition that causes water on the knee. If your doctor, physical therapist or sports trainer recommends you wear a knee brace because of a prior injury, be sure to follow through.
  • Be gentle with your knees. If you're overweight and plan to start an aerobic exercise program as part of a weight-loss program, avoid excess wear and tear on your knees. Select an aerobic activity that doesn't place continuous weight-bearing stress on your knee joints, such as water aerobics or swimming.

DS00662

March 6, 2008

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