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Have OA And RA In Knees. Knee Pain, Baker's Cyst, Difficulty Bending. Surgery Required?
I have OA in the knees as well as RA. I have also recently been referred to an orthopedic surgeon for a large Baker's cyst in my right leg.
I have had pain in my knee and calf for nearly 2.5 years making it difficult to fully bend or extend my knee. I am also not able to squat or kneel without extreme pain. When extending my knee it feels as though I have gravel or pop rocks in my knee joint.
The ultrasound shows a two lobed cyst with one lobe measuring 6cm x 1.5cm and the other lobe 9cm. The PA at the Rheumatologist office believes that this may be a case that warrants surgical removal based on size and symptoms. I know that surgery is not usually done for Baker's cyst but was wondering if this might indeed be the case. Also wondering if it might also be reasonable to do further joint repair or cleaning (arthroscopy?) while removing the cyst. I am afraid if they only remove the cyst without further intervention that it will soon return as my knee swells again.
I have had pain in my knee and calf for nearly 2.5 years making it difficult to fully bend or extend my knee. I am also not able to squat or kneel without extreme pain. When extending my knee it feels as though I have gravel or pop rocks in my knee joint.
The ultrasound shows a two lobed cyst with one lobe measuring 6cm x 1.5cm and the other lobe 9cm. The PA at the Rheumatologist office believes that this may be a case that warrants surgical removal based on size and symptoms. I know that surgery is not usually done for Baker's cyst but was wondering if this might indeed be the case. Also wondering if it might also be reasonable to do further joint repair or cleaning (arthroscopy?) while removing the cyst. I am afraid if they only remove the cyst without further intervention that it will soon return as my knee swells again.
Mon, 15 Jul 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
Bakers cyst byitself will not cause pain and is usually symptomless but it can cause limitation of knee joints movements (bending & extending) depending on its size. In case of a very large cyst, it causes pressure symptoms (due to the compression of surrounding tissues).
The sensation of gravel in your knee might be due to the presence of "Loose bodies" inside which by themselves causes limitation & pain during knee movements.
Arthroscopy is a better option in your case as it can be DIAGNOSTIC ( inspection of the joint surfaces) as well as THERAPEUTIC (removal of the cyst and loose bodies if any).
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
Bakers cyst byitself will not cause pain and is usually symptomless but it can cause limitation of knee joints movements (bending & extending) depending on its size. In case of a very large cyst, it causes pressure symptoms (due to the compression of surrounding tissues).
The sensation of gravel in your knee might be due to the presence of "Loose bodies" inside which by themselves causes limitation & pain during knee movements.
Arthroscopy is a better option in your case as it can be DIAGNOSTIC ( inspection of the joint surfaces) as well as THERAPEUTIC (removal of the cyst and loose bodies if any).
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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