Baker’s cysts of the knee joint: treatment, possible complications
Below the knee there is swelling, indicating the tumor in the joint cavity
Baker’s cysts of the knee joint is a kind of hernia. The diameter of the tumor may reach a few millimeters and a few centimeters. Most common cyst of about 3 cm is Sometimes it can occur in both knees. The disease develops in children 4-7 years and adults aged 35-70 years. Other age groups are rarely affected by this disease.
Lead to the development of Baker’s cyst of the knee joint can various injuries that cause swelling. The most likely causes of the disease — osteoarthritis and arthritis. Approximately every 2nd case of osteoarthritis leads to the formation of Baker’s cyst.
Symptoms
The symptomatic picture of the disease can be very ambiguous. In some cases, the cyst does not manifest itself, the only external symptom is swelling. But given the small size of the hernia, the knee region, to detect it during the inspection is not always possible. Looks like such a swelling can be seen in the photo.
How much are symptoms often depends on the size of the cyst. The main signs of the disease:
- the appearance of the tumor in popliteal region;
- pain;
- discomfort when bending the knee.
View of the patient’s knee from the inside and placing the formed tumor
If the swelling behind the knee is large, standing will feel a strong tension joint. As a rule, the cyst is of secondary origin. The main disease is osteoarthritis, arthritis or cartilage tear of the knee. Quite often a cyst Becker knee joint after some time disappears, but sometimes it can persist for several years.
To treat the cysts are used the most diverse techniques: from traditional medicine to remove surgically. You can’t run the disease, since complications can be severe.
Treatment of knee hernia
If you have a Baker’s cyst of the knee joint, it is recommended not to abuse the self, even if simple folk remedy bring great relief. First and foremost you want to see a specialist and get his advice. Therapies are selected strictly individually in each case.
The most commonly undertaken are:
In addition to the main methods of treatment, the doctor may be assigned special exercises. Physical exercise is particularly useful in cases where the cause of development of cyst is arthritis.
Folk remedies and methods of surgery
Reviews of a large number of case histories of patients with this diagnosis indicate that a high effectiveness of the means of folk medicine. In some cases, even an ordinary cold compress completely eliminates pain syndrome. Most often, the lesions are make compresses decoction of herbs. Typically used burdock, Golden mustache, celandine. Of these herbs you can prepare a tincture for ingestion. In some cases, patients can completely get rid of the disease, using only traditional recipes treat.
Sometimes doctors recommend a surgery. Removal of Baker’s cyst of the knee joint especially true if the tumor has arisen as a result of injury. Also, the operation is assigned, if the size of the cyst is very large and it causes severe pain. Surgical intervention is recommended to those patients in whom the tumor is a secondary character of occurrence, and the main disease — tear of the cartilage. In this case apply the method of locking wells.
Among the complications in the presence of Baker’s cyst most commonly encountered is the swelling of Shin due to rupture of the hernia. If it bursts, the liquid accumulated in its cavity, can get into the tissue of the gastrocnemius muscle, resulting in edema will appear. May also be itching, redness of the skin. If the liquid is conveyed through the tissues, pain is likely to become more sharp and strong. Swelling caused by fluid from the cyst may not go for a few weeks.
The likelihood of developing thrombosis in the presence of Baker’s cyst increases significantly. In addition, the symptoms of these two diseases are very similar, therefore not easy to distinguish them. For accurate diagnosis used ultrasound or MRI.