Arthritic lesions of the joints are often accompanied by a phenomenon such as a synovial cyst. In modern medicine, vast experience has been accumulated in the fight against this disease - from conservative therapy to surgical intervention. In this case, the operation is much preferable. After all, it protects against subsequent relapse. But since surgical intervention is a trauma to tissues, such a procedure is undertaken last.
So, let's figure out what a synovial cyst is? How to deal with it? And for what reasons does it arise?
Disease characteristics
A synovial cyst is an exclusively benign mass. It is a cavity filled with liquid, often with blood impurities. Such a pathology grows from a capsule of joints or synovial sheaths of tendons. The disease manifests itself both as a cyst and as a tumor. And the mechanism of the formation of the disease resembles the formation of intestinal diverticula.
A similar pathology can be observed on a variety of joints: knee, hip, carpal. Sometimes it is localized on the spine.
Causes of pathology
Until today, doctors continue discussions, trying to identify the sources leading to the onset of the disease.
It is known that a synovial cyst is formed against the background of the following factors:
- osteoporosis;
- congenital disorders;
- arthritis;
- joint instability;
- previous injuries;
- infectious inflammation.
Symptoms of the disease
The synovial cyst of the joint is a tumor-like formation that rises above the surface of the skin. Sometimes pathology grows under the tendon. In this case, education does not manifest itself. But it causes the patient some discomfort during movement.
Most often, the only complaint that appears in a patient is an aesthetic defect. After all, a small cyst does not cause pain or an inflammatory reaction. Therefore, it does not bother a person at all. If the formation reaches a large size, then the symptoms of compression of the great vessels and nerves appear.
In this case, there may be such signs of an ailment:
- noticeable pain in the area of the cyst;
- the mobility of the affected area is limited;
- tissues swell;
- on a diseased joint, a spherical bulge becomes noticeable.
The synovial cyst of the spine may manifest such symptoms:
- in a sitting position, the patient very quickly develops pain;
- numbness of the lower extremities is observed;
- digestive tract disorder may occur, the functioning of the bladder, kidneys (in the chronic stage) may be impaired.
Pathology of the knee joint
The synovial cyst of the popliteal fossa is known in medicine as the Becker cyst. Pathology is a dense tumor formation that is localized in the popliteal fossa. To the touch it is quite painful.
The tumor forms against the background of inflammation flowing in the inter-tendon bag. If cystic pathology develops, then such a bag becomes inflamed, significantly increases in size. The patient experiences pain and serious difficulties while moving in the knee joint.
Methods of treating pathology are completely dependent on the stage of the disease. If the tumor has formed recently, then the patient is quite enough puncture. In this procedure, the fluid that has accumulated inside the cavity is pumped out with a needle. Instead, a special corticosteroid solution is administered.
If the pathology is started, then the usual methods of treatment will not give a favorable result. In this case, you cannot do without the help of a surgeon. During the operation, usually inflamed tissue is removed. The prognosis after surgery is quite optimistic.
Cyst of the joints of the hands
Often there are lesions of the joints of the wrist joints. Such pathologies are called hygromes in medicine. Synovial cyst of the finger (photo allows you to get acquainted with the pathology) is characterized by painful discomfort, which tends to intensify during exertion. Such a tumor has an extremely unsightly appearance.
With regard to treatment, the opinions of experts completely differ. Some believe that this tumor should not be touched. These doctors are confident that over time, education will resolve itself. Other doctors suggest, without opening the external tissue, to crush the tumor. This procedure is extremely painful. In addition, she does not completely exclude the risk of relapse.
The optimal treatment method is puncture of a hygromic formation. An anti-inflammatory solution is injected into the cavity after pumping out the liquid. As a rule, puncture is carried out using ultrasound control.
But, unfortunately, sometimes it is impossible to do without surgical intervention. It should be said that only the surgical method of treatment almost completely eliminates the risk of relapse. The operation takes place under local anesthesia.
Hip joint pathology
The hip joint is the most complex structure of the human body. Very often with such a pathology, there is no pain discomfort and external manifestations.
Pathology can make itself felt with such symptoms:
- painful discomfort;
- feeling of numbness in the thigh area;
- loss of sensation in the affected area.
Most often, such pathologies develop as a result of the course of inflammatory and degenerative processes in the body. To identify the ailment, the patient is assigned an X-ray examination. With the help of MRI, the synovial cyst of the hip joint is perfectly diagnosed .
How to treat the disease? Only the attending physician can recommend methods to combat the ailment. Methods of treatment range from medical to surgical and are practically no different from those described above.
Cyst of the spine
Sometimes the tumor can be localized on the spine. This formation is a type of periarticular cyst.
This formation can appear for a variety of reasons. Pathology is congenital. In this case, the tumor forms during the development of the embryo. But most often, an acquired cyst is found. The basis of the development of the disease is the difference in trauma, as well as degenerative, inflammatory processes that occur in the vertebrae. In addition, the strongest physical activity is also able to become a source of development of such an ailment as a synovial cyst.
The treatment of this form of the disease is practically no different from the tactics described above for combating formations on other joints. Doctors recommend resorting to a puncture that removes fluid from the cavity. With a severe course of the disease, the help of a surgeon is necessary, since the only method of treating a running illness is surgical intervention.
Drug treatment
Such therapy is prescribed to the patient with inflammation of the surrounding tissues of the synovial cyst. The tumor itself almost never becomes inflamed. However, only a doctor should prescribe medication, since such therapy can be used exclusively for aseptic inflammation. If the process is purulent, then only one treatment is possible - surgery, which should be undertaken as soon as possible.
Aseptic inflammation is treated with the following drugs:
- NSAIDs: Nimesil medicine, Diclofenac ointment.
- Antihistamines: Gistan Cream, Clemastine.
- Anti-inflammatory corticosteroids: topical medicine “Diprosalik”.
Healer methods
Treatment of synovial cysts with folk remedies is a rather dubious therapy. Therefore, fully rely on its effectiveness is not worth it. However, in combination with the doctor's prescriptions, she is quite capable of bringing relief.
Such recipes are effective:
- Within 30 days, it is necessary to consume fresh cabbage juice of 100-150 ml before meals. The drink is taken twice a day.
- At night, apply lotions with alcohol (70%) to the area of the cyst. You can use strong moonshine for the procedure.
- Prepare a mixture consisting of equal parts of honey, rye flour and aloe pulp. Such a tool must be applied in the form of a compress to the affected area at night.
- To put on a cyst a cabbage leaf, plentifully greased with honey. Such a compress should remain on the bump all night.
- Take sea salt (2 tbsp. L.), Dry clay (1 tbsp.). Mix the components. Dilute the mixture with warm water (100 ml). Apply the resulting product to the affected area. Wrap the bandage tightly on top. A similar compress should be repeated for 10 days. According to the healers, this time is enough for the patient to feel a significant improvement in his condition.
- Vishnevsky ointment can have an excellent therapeutic effect. The product must be applied evenly on cheesecloth. Such a compress is applied to the area of the synovial cyst. Wrap polyethylene from above and fix with an elastic bandage. This event should be repeated 2 times a day. Continuing treatment is recommended until complete healing.
The synovial cyst is a rather unpleasant formation, which differs in an unsightly appearance. However, such a tumor almost never becomes malignant. If we talk about treatment methods, the most effective is surgical intervention, which protects the patient from relapse.