AccessPT Channel, Weekly Physical Therapy Conundrum

PT Question of the Week - Effusion

You are reviewing the medical record of the patient rehabilitating from knee surgery and note that a recent entry uses the term effusion. Which of the following descriptions most appropriate defines this term?

  1. An increase in fluid volume
  2. An increase in fluid volume within the joint capsule
  3. An increase in fluid volume in the soft tissue external to the joint
  4. An increase in fluid volume in the joint capsule and the soft tissue external to the joint

 The solution will be posted in a few days