Alternate Names: Swelling of a joint; Knee swelling; Toe swelling; Finger swelling; Hip swelling
Considerations: Joint swelling may or may not occur along with joint pain.
Common Causes:
Home Care: For unexplained soft tissue joint swelling, see a health care provider. Follow prescribed therapy in treating the underlying cause.
Call If:
- there is severe, unexplained joint pain, stiffness or swelling, especially if accompanied by other unexplained symptoms.
What To Expect: The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting joint swelling in detail may include:
- location
- Which joint is swollen?
- Is it the big toe?
- Are multiple joints swollen?
- Is the jaw or neck swollen?
- time pattern
- When did the joint swelling develop?
- Is it always present or off-and-on?
- Is this the first time you have had swollen joints?
- quality
- How swollen is the area?
- If you press over the swollen area with a finger, does it leave a dent after you take the finger away?
- aggravating factors
- What makes the swelling worse?
- Is it any worse in the morning or at night?
- Does exercise make it worse?
- relieving factors
- What make the swelling better?
- Does elevating the affected body part make the swelling go down?
- Is it better if you use an elastic wrap?
- What home treatment have you tried?
- other
The physical examination will include a detailed examination of the affected joint(s).
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:Intervention:
Physical therapy for muscle and joint rehabilitation may be recommended.
After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to joint swelling, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.
