Worsening Baker Cyst

[smailzy]

Hello,
I am 23 years old and have had a small problem with my knee for the last few years where every once in a while it would ache a little and swell up slightly for a few days and then be fine again. It never really hindered me though.
However, in October 2005, I was at rugby training and I tripped and fell directly onto my knee on an Astroturf surface. I went to the hospital, had it x-rayed and then the consultant sent me for physiotherapy. I finished the physiotherapy sessions but it was still bothering me, I had pain in the front, inner side of the knee and a large lump on the back. I was then given an arthroscopy (in January this year) and was told afterwards that they couldn’t find anything wrong with my knee. I went back to post-surgery physiotherapy and was given the ‘all clear’. I completed this course of physiotherapy and still had the large lump in the back of the knee.
I had an ultrasound examination in March this year and they told me I had a 6cm baker cyst.
The consultant has told me that there’s nothing else to be done and the cyst will burst on its own but recently it has been getting increasingly more painful. It aches throughout the day and gets worse when I do a lot of walking on it. I have had this cyst now for 8 months and haven’t been able to go back to my normal life. I tried explaining this to the consultant but he did not seem to think there was an issue. I am currently a student and using the British National Health Service and cannot afford to go privately to get a second opinion. I really just want to know if I should listen to the consultant when he says it will all just go away or if I should be trying to get another appointment with him to take things further.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated as I used to be a very active person and have been unable to do very much for the last 9 months!
Thank you.
Helen

[stgiles16]

I have had 2 baker's cysts in my life. The first one did burst on its own and OMG, that hurt. It was kind of gross too. When the second one appeared, I had it cut out at a local surgeon's office under local anth.  They can rupture and go away but it is a painful way to get rid of it. They can also be drained by a doctor , this may make it go away or at least feel better for a time.  Can you see a general practice doctor to have it drained ? This might help.
good luck
missy

[cgold]

Hi, I've just had arthroscoptic surgery on a torn meniscus and bone spurs but I also had a hugh baker's cyst on the back of my knee at the same time. My surgeon thought the surgery would remedy the cyst but it did not. Now he wants to perform surgery to remove the cysts. I have two now. I am scheduled to have surgery on them 11/16/06. Can someone please let me know how they made out if they have had this surgery. I am very afraid. Any help would be appreciated. Carol

[stgiles16]

When I had mine removed, I just went to the surgeon's office, he numbed it up and cut it out. He only put in a couple of stitches and I was done. I hope that yours is as easy to deal with.
missy

[cgold]

 Hi Missy,
Thank you very much for your insight. My surgeon said I would have to stay overnight and would be in an immobilizer for 7 days and on crutches for 1- 2 weeks. I hope it as easy as yours was. Maybe I should get a second opinion. Thanks for your help Carol