Joint aspiration but no fluid

arthritislg
arthritislg Member Posts: 5
edited 8. Aug 2025, 07:59 in Living with arthritis

Hi all currently been suffering with a flare in my right knee since march it is still very swollen & painful but when I went to have it aspirated on friday no fluid came out. The consultant said that this means it is the tissue around my knee has thickened/swollen up but there’s no longer fluid there. I was just wondering if anyone has had the same experience and what it means now, is the tissue thickening permanent or will it go down (all questions I asked the consultant but received only vague answers so feeling more confused!).

Thanks all

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Comments

  • noddingtonpete
    noddingtonpete Moderator Posts: 1,455

    Hello @arthritislg have you tried searching the community to see what others have written - have a look at the ones I got below.

    https://community.versusarthritis.org/search?domain=all_content&query=knee%20fluid&scope=site&source=community

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on0800 5200 520Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • jamieA
    jamieA Member Posts: 869

    Hi @arthritislg

    My experience of having my knee aspirated was very much hit and miss. Back in 2020 before my inflammatory arthritis diagnosis my GP referred me to hospital regarding my swollen left knee saying she wouldn't aspirate a knee that swollen. The first time I attended five different junior doctors tried unsuccessfully to aspirate my knee. Eventually they asked me to return next day when their department head was in as 'he knows how to do this'. I returned next day and my knee was drained successfully by the senior doctor. I was back a month later with the same problem and the senior doctor who'd seen me previously tried to drain my obviously swollen knee could not get any fluid out. I was back 10 days after that and the same senior doctor tried again and so much fluid came out he had to stop the procedure half way through to get another syringe - eventually taking out 10 times the amount that should be there. So I got the impression it's not an exact science. Maybe it would be worth talking to your GP about your options.

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