On the back wall of the knee, athletes and physically active people often have a cyst, which consists of a fluid. At first glance, it may resemble a swelling or hernia; its size can reach 1 cm.
Symptomatology
Before you understand how to treat a cyst in the knee, you need to understand the symptoms. Often this problem occurs due to the progression of arthrosis. The cyst can be inactive for a long time without causing any inconvenience.
A doctor should be consulted if a person has pain in the knee during extension, flexion, walking. Numbness can also join these manifestations. If the cyst ruptures, the patient's skin will acquire a red tint, acute pain will occur.
Causes
The treatment of cysts under the knee depends entirely on the causes of the formation. Most often, trauma becomes a provoking factor. Sometimes a cyst is formed due to a bruise or rupture of the meniscus. It used to be that under the knee, fluid accumulates in professional athletes who do not spare their joints. However, it later became clear that the cyst is often a secondary disease in arthritis, arthrosis and periarthritis. Formations of this type cause those processes that affect the condition and functioning of cartilage, ligaments and bone tissue.
It should be noted that sometimes cysts occur even as a result of inflammation in the body. Even influenza and bronchitis can lead to damage to joints (not just the knee).
How to treat a cyst under the knee depends not only on the causes, but also on the type of problem. Each type has its own symptomatology. Next, we consider each species separately.
Cyst baker
This problem is considered the most common. Baker's cyst under the knee is manifested by the appearance of a neoplasm of a soft and elastic form. When moving, a person feels severe discomfort. Over time, destruction occurs in the capsule, and the patient has a sensation of pain. The tumor itself increases over time.
Ganglion cyst
In women, this type of education is most often diagnosed. The metabolic processes in girls are unstable, if constant inflammation and strong physical exertion are added to their violation, a cyst will arise. Outwardly, it resembles a solid ball in which there is a duct. This capsule, where the liquid is located, is called a hygroma. Often leads to severe pain in the knee. With growth, pressure on the vessels will only increase. Often, such a formation leads to varicose veins.
Meniscus cyst
A cyst behind the knee can occur and subsequently stretch the meniscus tissue. This body performs cushioning properties. As soon as the liquid begins to accumulate due to disruption of its work, it begins to stretch. This leads to neoplasm. At the very beginning of the disease, a cyst can be detected only by histological examination. Over time, it will begin to be felt and will be visible to the naked eye.
If the cyst in the knee is not properly treated, pathological changes can occur not only in the joint capsule, but also in the ligaments. The defeat of the meniscus is of two types: internal and external. If you start the disease, the disease will turn into a parameniscal form. In this case, it will be difficult to cure it.
Synovial cyst
If the patient has hypertrophy of the synovial membrane, then he will likely have a cyst. Unfortunately, little is known about this formation at the moment. It is impossible to identify the cause 100%, respectively, it will take time to find the right treatment. The only effective way to get rid of this type of knee cyst is surgery, since conservative treatment most often does not give a positive result.
Diagnostics
Thanks to modern diagnostic methods, you can find out all the information regarding education. They allow you to understand the localization, shape and composition of the capsule. Most often, a puncture is performed. The fluid is taken to check from the inner cavity of the cyst in the knee. Thanks to this approach, it is possible to determine the possible causes in the shortest possible time and prescribe an approximate treatment.
Excellent diagnostic methods are MRI and ultrasound. To understand the size and exact location of the cyst, these methods are used. MRI can determine whether there are changes in bone tissue and cartilage. Thanks to this approach, it is easy to prescribe the right treatment as quickly as possible.
In rare cases, resort to the use of arthroscopy. A small incision is made and a tube is inserted, with its help the doctor examines the joint cavity.
To prevent not only development, but also the formation of cysts, it is necessary to periodically take blood and urine tests, the results will show whether there are inflammatory processes in the body.
Treatment
Depending on the type of tumor and its location, a decision will be made on the treatment of cysts under the knee. Surgery is one of the most effective methods. As a rule, drug treatment is used only to suppress the symptoms and the inflammatory process. Before the operation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used. Sometimes they are prescribed after surgery.
As mentioned above, the most successful treatment is considered surgical intervention. After surgery, the rehabilitation period will be long, since the joint needs a long period for recovery.
Experts say that the most gentle treatment will be puncture. The doctor must insert the needle into the tumor and pump out fluid from it. Thanks to modern anesthetics, this procedure is completely painless. Recovery does not take much time.
What and how to treat a cyst under the knee depends entirely on the condition of the patient. Thanks to a quick diagnosis, you can get rid of the disease at an early stage of its development. This allows you to maintain your health at a good level.
Baker Cyst Treatment
Baker's cyst is also known as Becker. Treatment is prescribed only for a complete diagnosis and exclusion of the development of another type of education. The presence of chronic pathologies, lifestyle, age, and profession also affect therapeutic methods.
The treatment will focus on the cause that caused the formation of Becker cysts in the knee. Doctors recommend that patients reduce the load, provide maximum peace. To relieve pain and swelling, you can use cold. This method will be effective only during the first two days after the onset of the first symptoms.
If you need to remove puffiness, then you should use an elastic or regular bandage. They need to fix the knee. The bandage must be applied tightly, but so as not to squeeze the vessels and veins. The leg must be placed in an elevated state in order to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling. In the event that the doctor has prescribed and there is no need for inpatient treatment, painkillers can be used, the additional effect of which is the removal of inflammation. These include Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and so on.
Complex therapy for Baker's cyst
First of all, the specialist prescribes a treatment that will relieve symptoms. That is, the doctor’s task is to relieve inflammation, remove puffiness and reduce the pain effect. If there is a rise in temperature, then it must be brought down. The specialist should choose analgesics. The drug used will be selected individually, depending on the condition of the patient. To the above funds should be noted "Ketorol", "Diclofenac." To remove inflammation, Nimesulide and Indomethacin are often added.
How to treat a Becker cyst under the knee if the temperature rises? In this case, Ibuprofen or Paracetamol is prescribed. Often the temperature rises when the cyst ruptures, begins to rot.
In parallel, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. To eliminate the causes of the appearance of a neoplasm, etiotropic treatment is prescribed. In the event that an autoimmune disease associated with connective tissue caused the cyst, corticosteroid hormones are prescribed. Similar causes include rheumatoid arthritis. Examples of drugs: Prednisolone, Dexamethasone. These drugs neutralize the response of the immune system to connective tissue cells.
If the patient has polyarthritis, then corticosteroids are prescribed. In order to get rid of itching, it is necessary to take antihistamines. To improve the functioning of the immune system, the doctor prescribes immunomodulating agents.
With gouty arthritis, experts prescribe Benemid, Allopurinol. They allow you to remove uric acid from organisms. It provokes inflammation and the production of joint fluid.
In the event that osteoarthritis caused a cyst in the back of the knee, then corticosteroid drugs are prescribed to the patient. Thanks to them, inflammation and swelling are quickly removed.
Often, specialists during treatment resort to drainage. It is necessary to use a thick needle, insert it into the cyst, and suck out the liquid. After this, it is necessary to introduce hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs. This procedure is allowed to be repeated several times. It allows you to relieve inflammation, remove pain and restore the function of the knee joint.
Physiotherapeutic methods for Baker's cyst
Together with a conservative method of treatment, it is best to simultaneously conduct physiotherapeutic procedures. Doctors advise bioresonance therapy and a pulsed electromagnetic field. The first method destroys all pathological substances in the body and improves the functioning of the immune system. The second - returns diseased cells to their original state.
Alternative treatment
Today, traditional healers offer many ways to heal their joints. However, all of them will give a positive effect only in the early stages of cyst development. Decoctions, lotions, compresses, baths and medicinal herbs are used. Before taking this or that remedy, you must consult a doctor. He must make a diagnosis and advise the patient on his state of health.
As a rule, all folk remedies only allow you to remove the symptoms and remove the inflammatory process for a while. But the cyst in the knee still remains, so you should not ignore its treatment. Doctors advise resorting to alternative treatment only after a successful operation. Great compresses and lotions of herbs. They will relieve swelling and reduce pain.
In order to treat unpleasant sensations arising in the joint, it is recommended to use the setting of the golden mustache. It is necessary to insist parts of this plant on alcohol for a month, and then you need to rub the mixture into a sore spot. It is advisable to do this at night. Many healers note that the drug also has a resolving effect.
Clay applications also receive positive reviews. They will relieve inflammation and pain. Clay can be diluted with water, herbal decoction. She needs to cover the sore spot. The procedure should be done every day before bedtime. Wash off the clay after 30 minutes.
Preventative measures
If a person is predisposed to the appearance of problems with joints, then you must definitely monitor the physical activity that he performs. Otherwise, a cyst in the knee may occur. With its presence, unnecessary exercises only provoke an exacerbation.
Joint problems are often caused by being overweight. That is why a person needs to eat healthy food, and also, if necessary, follow a diet.
If the cyst has been removed, the doctor will prescribe special therapeutic exercises that will bring the joint back to normal and prevent the development of relapse. In addition, they are aimed at reducing the load on the knee.
If there is a desire to use medications that are designed to restore cartilage and tissues, then you must first discuss this with your doctor. Many drugs have not only side effects, but also a large number of contraindications.
Conclusion
It is important to notice the disease on time in order to avoid serious complications and prolonged treatment. In severe conditions, surgery can not be avoided. In the early stages, conservative treatment can be performed.
Reviews of alternative methods make it clear that it is effective only for relieving symptoms and only in the early stages of inflammation.
Reviews about the operation are positive from all patients. Thanks to surgical intervention, the problem is solved once and for all.