Differential Diagnosis of Knee Hemarthrosis Wheeless

Description: - non-bloody effusion suggests an irrative synovitis that may be caused by degenerative meniscus or a chronic process with no super imposed acute injury;
- absence of hemarthrosis is not indication of less severe ligament injury, since severe disruptions often cause only minimal joint distention;
- disruption may be so complete that blood escapes into soft tissues and the popliteal space rather than distending the joint;
- tense hemarthosis of effusion may prevent full extension of the knee joint and should be evacuated;
- aspirate should always be examined for fat globules which may indicated osteochondral fracture or tibial plateau fracture;
Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics