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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What To Do If Having Cyst Behind The Knee Causing Pain And Swelling?

I have been told I have neuropathy in my feet from the RA which is quite painful at times. I take Plaquenil for the RA and Gabapentin for the neuropathy. However, my greatest problem is my left knee. I developed a cyst behind it and it has been drained once so far. I am finding more and more that the pain and swelling in the knee is getting worse. If I sit for more than a half hour at a time, the knee starts to lock. I wear a brace when it is very painful and stiff. Is there anything else I can do?
posted on Mon, 12 May 2014
Twitter Sun, 20 Jan 2019 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 21 Jan 2019 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

It is good to know that you had the cyst get drained once. Since the swelling is again occurring it can be due to the side effect of Gabapentin, report to your doctor immediately so that Gabapentin is replaced by some other medication for neuropathy, there are other medications which will suit you better.

1. You should keep your leg raised on a stool while sitting or on a pillow while in bed.
2. Use a cane or crutch to keep the pressure off your leg.
3. Take pain medications like Combiflam(a combination medicine of Ibuprofen ¶cetamol), one sos when pain to help reduce the pain & inflammation.
4. Wear a comfortable pair of shoes.
5. If diabetic keep your sugar levels under control, high sugar levels will trigger your symptoms.
6. Get the cause of the swelling to get treated, otherwise, you may have a recurrence of symptoms. Get RA & Neuropathy get treated.

In spite of your efforts if the leg gets red & swollen you may need surgery.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Nupur K, General & Family Physician
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What To Do If Having Cyst Behind The Knee Causing Pain And Swelling?

Hello, It is good to know that you had the cyst get drained once. Since the swelling is again occurring it can be due to the side effect of Gabapentin, report to your doctor immediately so that Gabapentin is replaced by some other medication for neuropathy, there are other medications which will suit you better. 1. You should keep your leg raised on a stool while sitting or on a pillow while in bed. 2. Use a cane or crutch to keep the pressure off your leg. 3. Take pain medications like Combiflam(a combination medicine of Ibuprofen ¶cetamol), one sos when pain to help reduce the pain & inflammation. 4. Wear a comfortable pair of shoes. 5. If diabetic keep your sugar levels under control, high sugar levels will trigger your symptoms. 6. Get the cause of the swelling to get treated, otherwise, you may have a recurrence of symptoms. Get RA & Neuropathy get treated. In spite of your efforts if the leg gets red & swollen you may need surgery. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Nupur K, General & Family Physician