Could persistent knee swelling 8 months after a knee replacement be related to RA?
It's a really valid concern. RA commonly affects the knees, causing swelling, stiffness, warmth, and pain. When RA is active in a knee joint, it can cause ongoing inflammation even after a replacement surgery.
Some key signs that knee Show Full Answer
Could persistent knee swelling 8 months after a knee replacement be related to RA?
It's a really valid concern. RA commonly affects the knees, causing swelling, stiffness, warmth, and pain. When RA is active in a knee joint, it can cause ongoing inflammation even after a replacement surgery.
Some key signs that knee swelling may be RA-related include:
- Swelling that appears symmetrically in both knees
- Morning stiffness and pain that improves as the day goes on
- Warmth or redness around the joint
- Swelling in other joints like hands or wrists If the swelling feels persistent and unexplained, it may be worth asking for a second opinion or requesting specific tests. A rheumatologist can order blood tests like CRP and ESR to measure inflammation levels, or even drain and analyze fluid from the knee to better understand what's causing the swelling.
A myRAteam member shared a similar frustration, saying their doctor was too quick to dismiss knee pain as something other than RA — and they sought a second opinion.
Trusting your instincts about your own body is always worthwhile. Pushing for more answers after 8 months of swelling is completely reasonable.
August 28
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