KNEE ARTHRITIS - Clearing spurs and cysts :

Cyst Question - - Posted by gr8fit (gr8fit), 5 May 2004

Hi,

I just met with my sports med doc today.  Based on the MRI results I had 2 years ago it turns out that I have a cyst the size of a walnut in my knee.  (I have currenlty been having problems with my knee....but they haven't been the typical problems of meniscus locking and catching...although they have been similiar).  Most of my pain is in the posterior-lateral portion of my knee.

This is what kills me....the MRI results are 2 years old and I was NEVER told that I had a cyst  (let along a cyst the size of a walnut).  I sortof called them on this and his response was..your knee was so bad that the cyst was the last of our worries...or something to that nature.

At any rate, I'm scheduled for an ultra sound on Thursday to find the cyst and take out the liquid and possibly inject it with cortisone (spelling?).

Has anyone had this experience?  I'm afraid that they might accidentally hit a nerve or an artery....given that they neglected to tell me that I even have a cyst...I wouldn't put this mishap past them..... I guess I should be in charge of managing my own health care...I guess I'm learning this the long-drawn-out way.

Please let me know if you have had experience with a cyst that has caused some sort of catching and if they sucessfully (or not) have been able to deflate it.  THANKS
Posted by rickslick (rickslick), 17 August 2004

1st, I am new to this discussion area and am impressed with the quality of talk going on here.

I have been diagnosed with a small posterior knee Baker's cyst 3 months ago. It is about the size of yours or perhaps a bit smaller. The orthopedic surgeon said they are fairly common and if they do not pose any pain, they generally leave them alone. I assume they are not harmfull unless the bother you.........Thats all I know and being an MRI Tech who does knee scans, I see these mentioned in patient reports somewhat often....Rick
Posted by gr8fit (gr8fit), 17 August 2004

Thanks for your reply Rick!

Since my post, I've had another MRI and I've seen my OS.  I still have the cyst (it's getting bigger), bone spurs, and (luckily) very slow progression with my degeneration.  At any rate, we've decided to hold off on another knee scope through the summer. My OS told me that I had a 50/50 chance of making my knee worse and or better with another knee scope.  As he put it, my knee is so bad that he can't guarantee anything.

I now have almost complete ROM but I do experience some catching and have to monitor my gait when participating in cardiovascular activities such as biking and inline skating.  (I used to be an avid runner).  I do have a lot of pain in my knees but movement is really important to me.

Thanks for your reply.  I hope you do well with your knees!!

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