Knee tap...how bad is this supposed to hurt?

[mickeymedic]

I had fluid aspirated from my knee today. All I have to say is I hope I never have to do that again ever ever ever ever in my life. The aspiration wasn't bad - but the lidocaine injections prior to the aspiration were not fun. (I'm squirming here just thinking about it.)

Anyway, I asked the PA who did the aspiration how bad my knee was going to hurt once the lidocaine wore off. He said I would have some soreness around the injection site. Otherwise, he said it shouldn't be bad. Well, my knee hurt before the aspiration - mostly lots of pressure from the swelling and inability to bend it when trying to navigate stairs. But I was still able to walk. Not anymore! I can barely put any weight on it tonight. Even the slightest bit of pressure - anything touching it at all - hurts a lot. For the record, I'm no wimp when it comes to pain. (Although I am a wimp when it comes to needles.) I worked full duty on this knee for 2 weeks before I finally had a doctor's appointment and got restricted to light duty.

I'm hoping that it will feel better in the morning. Has anyone had their knee tapped? How long did the pain last afterward?

 

[mhsjax]

I had fluid aspirated from my knee today. All I have to say is I hope I never have to do that again ever ever ever ever in my life. The aspiration wasn't bad - but the lidocaine injections prior to the aspiration were not fun. (I'm squirming here just thinking about it.)

Anyway, I asked the PA who did the aspiration how bad my knee was going to hurt once the lidocaine wore off. He said I would have some soreness around the injection site. Otherwise, he said it shouldn't be bad. Well, my knee hurt before the aspiration - mostly lots of pressure from the swelling and inability to bend it when trying to navigate stairs. But I was still able to walk. Not anymore! I can barely put any weight on it tonight. Even the slightest bit of pressure - anything touching it at all - hurts a lot. For the record, I'm no wimp when it comes to pain. (Although I am a wimp when it comes to needles.) I worked full duty on this knee for 2 weeks before I finally had a doctor's appointment and got restricted to light duty.

I'm hoping that it will feel better in the morning. Has anyone had their knee tapped? How long did the pain last afterward?

I just asked my DH, he has had this done several times and said that it has never hurt him after it is done. Maybe something else is going on in your knee.

 

[mickeymedic]

I just asked my DH, he has had this done several times and said that it has never hurt him after it is done. Maybe something else is going on in your knee.

Thanks for the response! That's what I was afraid of. I guess I'll be calling the doctor first thing in the morning.

 

[buzzlady]

My DH had it done and he felt nothing but relief afterwards. No pain at all.

 

[akcire]

I had mine done years ago. They did not use any lidocaine, so the procedure hurt like heck. Once the fluid was drawn off the knee it almost instantly felt better.

I would take something for the pain, elevate, and ice and plan to call the Dr in the morning. You could even call your local ER and see if they recommend coming in this evening for the inevitable test (probably MRI).

 

[RNMOM]

Did you notice if the fluid they took out was clear or cloudy? Do you have a possible infection in the joint? It is warm to the touch? You definitely need to have someone look at that tomorrow and maybe some xrays or more. Do you have any pain meds at home? If not take motrin and elevate. Use the ice like you mentioned but do the 20 on and 20 off rule. How is the circulation in your foot? Toes warm and pink? Look the same as the other foot? If not, call the doctor now.

Hope you get some relief soon.

 

[tictac]

My doctor told me it had to be done in a certain area otherwise it would hurt a lot. She said there was a "sweet spot" and be careful for the pain if you don't hit there. I made sure to tell her to take all the time needed to find it

 

[BCV513]

I had it done about fifteen years ago for a joint infection. I agree that the lidocaine hurt more than the actual taking out of the fluid. Afterwards, it didn't hurt at all. I was only 12 at the time, but I remember how much it hurt before. TMI, but the stuff they took out looked like green Jello.

 

[mickeymedic]

Did you notice if the fluid they took out was clear or cloudy? Do you have a possible infection in the joint? It is warm to the touch? You definitely need to have someone look at that tomorrow and maybe some xrays or more. Do you have any pain meds at home? If not take motrin and elevate. Use the ice like you mentioned but do the 20 on and 20 off rule. How is the circulation in your foot? Toes warm and pink? Look the same as the other foot? If not, call the doctor now.

Hope you get some relief soon.

Thanks for replying! To answer some of your questions...

I couldn't watch - I almost passed out just knowing that the needle was going into my knee. (A side note - I do just fine with needles when I'm holding the hub and the sharp end is pointing towards someone else.) Anyway, the PA said that the fluid looked normal: yellowish, not cloudy and no visible crystals.

The knee has been very slightly warm to the touch since this all started. It's not any more warm now than it has been all along. I can't take much advil due to GI issues. So, the PA prescribed the generic of Mobic. It didn't seem to do much last night - but I'm pretty sure this is one of the ones that needs to build up in my system before I feel the full effects.

I'm pretty good with the ice and elevation. Distal circulation has been fine.

I had x-rays and labs done last week Friday - bones were all intact and lab values were all within normal limits.

I didn't end up calling the doctor today. It doesn't hurt as much today as it did yesterday. I'm back to bearing full weight - but my limp is still pretty noticeable. At this point I'm just going to wait it out until Monday. By then I should have the results of the tap. I know they plan to schedule an MRI if the tap is inconclusive. So, for now I will wait.