Is it normal to have a small amount of fluid in the hip joint?

Is it normal to have a small amount of fluid in the hip joint? Many people may not be very clear about this issue. Under normal circumstances, there is a small amount of fluid in the joint. This fluid lubricates the joint and allows the joint to move more flexibly. Sometimes effusion may occur when you suffer from certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, synovitis and other diseases.

Hip joint effusion is caused by inflammation of the synovium in the hip joint. Due to various causes, such as traumatic injury, intra-articular injury, bone hyperplasia, bone collapse and other mechanical stimulation and biochemical stimulation such as cartilage degeneration, bone necrosis, arthritis, joint tuberculosis, rheumatism, etc., the microcirculation of the hip joint is poor, resulting in aseptic inflammation. The synovium responds to inflammatory stimulation by secreting exudate and causing pain.

Causes

Hip effusion is mostly caused by inflammation of the hip synovium. During inflammation, cell permeability increases and a large amount of fluid accumulates in the joint cavity.

Clinical manifestations

Joint pain, swelling, slow limping, obvious limping when walking fast, tenderness in the groin, limited hip flexion and adduction, slight abduction and external rotation of the lower limbs, lying flat on the bed with the body straightened, pelvic tilt can be seen, legs of different lengths, with the affected limb being 0.5 to 2 cm longer than the healthy limb. The pain worsens with active and passive adduction and external rotation of the hip.

examine

Ultrasound can be used to detect effusion and synovial lesions in the hip joint cavity. X-ray examination of hip synovitis mainly shows a bulging shadow of the hip joint capsule. When there is severe joint effusion, the femoral head can be seen shifting laterally and the joint space widening. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a small amount of long T1 and long T2 fluid effusion in the hip joint space.

diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on medical history, clinical manifestations, and examination.

1. Primary synovitis

The main symptoms are joint pain, with no obvious joint swelling or accompanied by mild swelling, creaking sound when walking, joint pain or discomfort when going up and down stairs or exerting force.

2. Second degree synovitis

The joints are swollen but not painful. There is discomfort when squatting or bending. Some patients experience muscle atrophy and swelling after excessive exercise. Symptoms are milder in the morning and worsen in the evening.

3. Severe synovitis

Joint swelling and pain are more obvious, accompanied by effusion, bone spurs and loose bones. Bone hyperplasia: joint pain, obvious swelling, worse when going up and down stairs, stiffness and inflexibility, and creaking noises when moving.

treat

During the treatment, the joints must stop moving and may even be braked in order to reduce fluid secretion. However, this method can easily cause loss of joint function, muscle atrophy, and induce other joint diseases. Using drugs to quickly and effectively control synovial inflammation and coordinating with correct functional activities can speed up the absorption of effusion.

prevention

It is advocated that treatment and functional exercise be carried out simultaneously to avoid post-recovery complications. Post-recovery health care is essential.