Which is a knee manifestation commonly seen in rheumatoid arthritis?

• A. Gout
• B. Effusion
• C. Osteophyte formation
• D. Meniscal tear

Answer: (B)

Inflammatory synovitis causing knee effusion is a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis. In RA, the synovium becomes inflamed and produces excess fluid, leading to a swollen, warm, and often boggy knee. This effusion reflects active intra-articular inflammation and is a common knee finding in RA, especially in the early or active stages.

Gout tends to present with acute, severe inflammatory arthritis that can affect the knee but is classically a single, intensely painful episode rather than a typical chronic effusion pattern. Osteophyte formation is more characteristic of osteoarthritis, reflecting degenerative bone and cartilage changes. A meniscal tear is a mechanical injury of the knee, not a primary inflammatory process like RA.