Treatment of Baker's cyst with folk methods and gymnastic exercises. How to get rid of a Baker's cyst under the knee

A Baker's cyst is a pathological fluid formation in the popliteal fossa, which occurs due to the leakage of synovial fluid. Other names for the pathology are popliteal bursitis or hernia. The size of such a neoplasm in the popliteal region can be either insignificant or reach several centimeters in diameter. And the larger the size of the formation, the more obvious the symptoms a person experiences.

Baker's cyst is most common knee joint in children under 7 years of age, as well as in adults - after 40 years. In 50% of cases, the disease occurs in older people, which is associated with physiological processes destruction of their joints. The pathologies that often accompany Baker's cysts of the knee joint are also characteristic of older people.

Note that Baker's cyst is usually localized in the area under the knee joint on one limb. But bursitis of the popliteal fossa on two legs is also rare.

Causes

It happens that a Baker's cyst appears under the knee for no apparent reason. It was already said above that this can occur in older people whose joints have worn out over the years. In addition, people with overweight whose joints are under excessive stress. In most cases, Baker's cysts have inflammatory or traumatic causes.

In particular, among the diseases that can trigger the development of a pathological neoplasm, there may be the following conditions:

• osteoarthritis;
• chronic;
• and others.

If we talk about traumatic causes, capable of causing the formation of a Baker cyst, these are damage to the menisci and injuries to the knee joint resulting from a fall, sports injury, etc. Depending on the cause of the pathology, treatment for a Baker cyst is prescribed. Therefore, it is very important to undergo an examination and establish what triggered its growth.

Symptoms

In my own way appearance Baker's cysts are dense but elastic formations characterized by elasticity. Therefore, they are easy to detect, especially if they are located on the knee joint, because cysts are visible to the naked eye, even if they are small. If a Becker cyst is located in the popliteal fossa and is small in size, a person may long time not know about the presence of this pathology, since its symptoms will not be expressed.

If the Becker cyst in the popliteal region begins to increase in size, then it is not only visually visible, but you can also feel the presence of a compaction.

The symptoms caused by the pathology depend on the size of the formation. The small size of a Becker cyst does not cause them, but as soon as the formation begins to grow, compression of the tissues surrounding the joint occurs, which leads to the formation of edema in the popliteal area and causes pain in the person.

IN further symptoms are progressing – painful sensations become more and more pronounced, and the swelling spreads not only to the area in which the Becker cyst was localized, but also to the entire knee joint.

As a result, other symptoms of a Becker cyst develop:

• local temperature increase;
• limited mobility;
• redness;
• gait disturbance;
• decreased sensitivity of the leg and foot due to compression by the formation of nerve fibers.

Sometimes Becker cysts go away on their own over time, and sometimes they remain unchanged for a long time, worsening a person’s quality of life. In some cases, Becker cysts lead to the development of complications. Therefore, if a Baker's cyst is detected in a child or adult, treatment should be timely. In particular, due to compression blood vessels There is a disruption in the blood supply to the affected limb, which over time becomes the cause of development and.

In addition, Becker cysts are scary because they can rupture. If a Becker cyst ruptures, the fluid contained in the cavity of the formation drains into the lower leg, and although it is sterile and does not cause bacterial inflammatory process However, serous inflammation with severe symptoms develops. Thus, in people who have ruptured a Becker cyst, it is noted strong pain, swelling of the lower leg with redness of the skin and the appearance of unbearable itching, local and general hyperthermia. The inflammatory process can last for several weeks, causing severe suffering to a person.

Diagnostics

It is not difficult to make a diagnosis of popliteal bursitis - such a Baker cyst is visible to the naked eye and can be easily palpated. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes to the patient ultrasonography. Sometimes such a disease requires a more thorough diagnosis to differentiate it from other pathologies, including tumors. For this purpose, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging may be indicated.

Features of treatment

If a Becker cyst is small in size and does not cause discomfort to a person, it is recommended to observe it. But in cases where the symptoms of the disease have appeared, and a Baker’s cyst under the knee prevents a person from living normally, its puncture is indicated. This procedure is minimally invasive and involves suctioning out the liquid contents of the formation using a special needle. In this case, an anti-inflammatory drug, for example, hydrocortisone, is injected into the cavity of the Becker cyst.

Unfortunately, such treatment of Baker's cyst is not always successful - in half of the cases, the fluid is collected again, and the person again develops bursitis of the popliteal fossa. Therefore, in case of recurrent course of the disease, surgery is indicated. Such an intervention is also carried out with minimal disruption of the integrity of the skin - an arthroscope is inserted into the popliteal fossa through a small incision, with the help of which the Baker cyst of the knee joint is drained, after which its capsule is also removed.

After surgical removal of the Baker cyst along with the capsule, the person requires rehabilitation, which consists of physical therapy, massage, and the use of anti-inflammatory and painkillers.

Conservative treatment for a pathology such as bursitis of the popliteal region is ineffective, since it is only symptomatic. With the help of ointments and gels, you can temporarily relieve pain and swelling, but since the Baker's cyst still remains, the symptoms return again after some time (usually as soon as the person stops using the ointments).

Is everything correct in the article? medical point vision?

Answer only if you have proven medical knowledge

Diseases with similar symptoms:

Carbuncle is an inflammatory disease that affects hair follicles, sebaceous glands, as well as skin and subcutaneous tissue. As a rule, the inflammatory process can spread to the deep layers of the dermis. Most often, purulent formations are localized in the neck, but their appearance on the buttocks or shoulder blades is also possible.

Becker's cyst under the knee or hygroma, how to treat it, the main symptoms, as well as the causes of its occurrence, we will consider in more detail in the article. Hygroma is a dense sac filled with serous fluid. It can be located in almost any joint, but is most often found in areas with inflammation or areas subject to trauma. Formation in the area of ​​the popliteal fossa is a Becker (or Baker) cyst, which in most cases occurs without obvious clinical manifestations. But as it progresses, it can grow, increasing in size, squeezing the anatomical formations surrounding it, which is where the problems begin.

At its core, hygroma is a benign tumor with extremely slow progression and no tendency to malignancy. Rare cases indicating the development of cancerous transformation speak rather of the initial diagnosis. Most often, the disease is confused with sarcoma (connective tissue tumors) or synovioma (cancer of the joint membrane), which are similar in appearance to a synovial cyst.

The protrusion can be single (then called single-chamber) or multiple (multi-chamber).

A little anatomy

Our joint consists of two epiphyses of bones that are covered cartilage tissue and a special bag. This structure provides mobility as well as shock absorption during movement.

The joint capsule has 2 layers:

• The outer one is dense and serves for mechanical protection.
• Internal - consists of the synovial lining, which produces a special fluid, promoting nutrition, lubrication and prevention of friction.

It is the latter (synovial membrane) that serves as the basis for the formation of a Becker cyst under the knee. The fluid it produces can accumulate in the tendon sheaths (special anatomical “bags” between the tendon cords). Then, under the influence of inflammation, degenerative changes, synovial moisture begins to be produced in large quantities, filling the space between the tendon bags, leading to its increase.

Causes

Exactly established cause there is no appearance of a cyst. Most often, a Baker's cyst occurs at the site of inflammation (arthritis, tendovaginitis), degenerative changes (arthrosis) or constant trauma. Hygroma often appears in people who have to constantly perform the same type of movements - athletes, summer residents, loaders, etc.

There are 3 variants of theories of the occurrence of the disease:

• Inflammation - based on the fact that when the integrity of the joint capsule is damaged during injury, an inflammatory process occurs. To close the defect, the body quickly “patches” it with scar connective tissue. And everything seems to be fine, but such a patch cannot compete with healthy tissue. Regular loads provoke an increase in stress on the joint, forcing the creation of additional pathological cavities to relieve the increased intra-articular pressure.

This opinion is confirmed by the fact that Baker's cyst often forms after dislocations and intra-articular punctures.

• Tumor process - in this theory it is believed that according to unknown reasons synovial membrane cells begin to divide uncontrollably. If the growth is directed inside the capsule, then a synovioma is formed, while the external direction provokes the appearance of synovial cysts. This point of view is supported by histologists, who detect altered cells during microscopy of distant formations.

Also, the arguments of the theory are confirmed by the possibility of relapse of the disease, as well as traceable heredity (usually through a generation).

• Metabolic disorder - membrane cells that produce lubricating joint fluid secrete it constantly. This process regulated by special mediators that respond to load (increase when increased). In case of violation metabolic processes During arthrosis and rheumatism, the number of mediators increases, forcing the amount of lubricant produced to increase many times over.

Often the provoking factor for the appearance of a Becker cyst is excess weight, increasing the load on the knees.

Symptoms

While the tumor is small, it does not manifest itself clinically. The first signs appear as the formation progresses, in this case the size of the hygroma reaches 8-10 cm. Then it begins to compress the surrounding tissues, arteries, and nerves.

Due to compression, the symptoms of a Becker cyst under the knee begin to bother the patient, especially when trying to flex the limb. During such movements, the peroneal and tibial nerves, as well as the popliteal artery, may be affected.

It becomes difficult to bend the leg; forcing the movement can lead to it.

1. To swelling.
2. Pallor of the limbs.
3. Feelings of numbness, goosebumps and tingling.
4. Weakness and difficulty stepping on the affected leg (lameness when walking).
5. At night, your leg may feel achy.

Upon examination, due to the anatomical features of the joint and the location of the Baker's cyst, when large, it protrudes from the popliteal fossa. It is quite difficult to determine its mobility, but palpation often reveals moderate pain, having a soft, elastic consistency. The skin over the affected area does not change. There is no redness or local increase in temperature.

Complications

One of the typical deteriorations of the disease is rupture of the cyst. In this case, fluid flows into the joint cavity, causing pain in the muscles, and also spreads throughout the calf, causing swelling.

At long-term compression veins, the formation of blood clots is possible, with the development of phlebitis. In rare cases, a detached clot can cause an embolism. pulmonary artery, extremely life-threatening.

Insufficient attention of the patient to the Baker's cyst under the knee, treatment of the disease exclusively with folk remedies - all this can provoke ischemic and necrotic changes in the nervous, muscle, and vascular tissues.

Diagnostics

Hygroma is difficult to detect with standard instrumental studies. Usually laboratory diagnostics carried out to exclude similar diseases.

For these purposes, ultrasound is usually used to distinguish a Becker cyst under the knee from a tumor, and also to determine the number of chambers. Otherwise this analysis not informative.

X-ray diagnostics can establish the presence of purulent contents in the cavity in the case of an abscess, homogeneous contents in the case of a lipoma. Inspection is also possible bone tissue for osteomyelitis.

Puncture of a Becker cyst is necessary if a malignant process is suspected. Liquid in mandatory not only are they examined for the detection of altered cells, but they are also sent for culture to determine the possible pathogen.

The most reliable way to examine a lesion is an MRI. It allows you to carefully inspect soft fabrics and identify the presence of education.

In difficult to diagnose cases, arthroscopy is used. It involves examining the joint cavity through a puncture using an arthroscope (micro camera).

How to treat a Becker cyst under the knee, does it save the joint?

There is an opinion that the formation of a Becker cyst saves the joint from arthrosis; excess fluid secretion in the joint capsule prevents the cartilage of the knee joint from being destroyed by forming a layer between the cartilage and the bones (femur and tibia).

The muscles cannot completely relax and hold the joint in a “vice”, trigger points appear in the leg muscles, this is the cause of the formation of hygroma. But there is a limit to everything, when the body cannot secrete lubricant to preserve the cartilage layer and the formation of arthrosis is inevitable, but the cyst will no longer appear, and trigger points will remain. So is it worth getting rid of protrusion? radical methods in the form of excision, puncture, hormonal therapy. Or how I solved this problem (described at the end). I have an article where I described how to get rid of them yourself.

Interesting video

It turns out that Baker's cyst is not independent disease, A protective reflex from more serious damage, such as heat bodies.

How to treat a Becker cyst under the knee

In order to promptly begin to eliminate the disease, you need to know which doctor is treating it. Typically, this type of injury is dealt with by a traumatologist or orthopedist; if one is not available in the hospital, a local surgeon can provide assistance.

There are 2 treatment options for Becker cysts under the knee - conservative and surgical. The basis of drug therapy is puncture of the hygroma with injection into the cavity steroid drugs. The procedures must be combined with the elimination of diseases that caused the formation.

The puncture is carried out not only with diagnostic purpose, but also to alleviate the condition. It cannot completely get rid of the tumor, but it can remove excess liquid and relieve pressure on nerves and blood vessels. After some time, the formation increases again.

Also, external anti-inflammatory ointments with ibuprofen are used as medicinal support (the course should last at least a week), plus a dose is added to the therapy antihistamines(eg clemastine).

Physiotherapeutic methods are also used to treat Baker's cyst without surgery. Procedures are prescribed to help relieve the inflammatory process and accelerate regeneration. None of the methods can help in reducing hygroma, but it works great in combination with conservative therapy.

The rehabilitation course includes:

• Baths with salt and soda - this procedure can be used for treatment at home. Water helps relieve swelling, inflammation, and reduce joint contracture. Best result facilitates manipulation for 15 minutes at a liquid temperature of 36 to 40 degrees.

Important: do not use this method if there are wounds, suppuration or other damage on the leg. skin.

• Shock wave therapy.
• Magnetotherapy.

Video where a doctor advises why not to have surgery

Folk remedies

Alternative medicine can alleviate the patient’s condition, relieve inflammation and relieve pain. It is important to remember that treatment of a synovial cyst with folk remedies is only an auxiliary method; it will not help in any way to “dissolve” the resulting tumor on its own.

You can use traditional methods at home.

• Warm compresses of heated salt, which are wrapped in a clean cloth, are applied to the joint.
• A lotion made from boiled or raw potatoes also warms up well.
• To relieve inflammation, use a decoction of black elderberry leaves or flowers.

Before using herbal ingredients, you should check allergic reaction. To do this, simply apply a small amount of broth to the crook of your elbow. If after 5 minutes there is no redness, then feel free to apply a bandage with medicinal herbs.

Surgery

Surgery to remove Baker's cyst is considered the most effective treatment option. Its main goal is complete excision of the formation along with the bursa. This procedure helps prevent recurrence (according to statistics, relapse occurs in 20% of cases).

A Becker cyst in a child is usually operated on if it is larger than 6 cm and if there are symptoms of compression and inflammation. When the tumor does not bother the baby, it is preferable to regularly monitor the size of the tumor together with the doctor.

During the rehabilitation period, light physical exercises can be performed to improve blood flow and adhesions.

Complex of rehabilitation exercises for Baker's cyst under the knee:

• Raising the leg from a lying position.
• Rotational movements of the limb.
• Slight flexion and extension of the knee (only after the doctor’s permission, as well as the removal of sutures).

My history

In my life, they made a preliminary diagnosis of a Becker cyst under the knee, I had no idea how to treat it, they immediately suggested surgery. But I couldn’t leave my son, it was just the first year of his rehabilitation after a cervical injury.

During the examination, the doctor identified a protrusion in the popliteal leg, a little more than on the other leg, but in general it was swollen, I could not bend it and could barely walk. The condition especially worsened when lifting weights, and this could not be avoided; my son was being weighed down. At night I turned it over several times, during the day I stood in the simulator, I needed to lift it, then transfer it to the stroller, and many other procedures. I couldn’t squat down, my leg wouldn’t bend, at night I put a pillow under my leg, it was easier, it hurt under the knee. Going down the steps was much more difficult than going up.

What was the treatment:

• applied ointments (traxevasin, traxerutin, indomethacin);
• compresses with cabbage, honey;
• but she also started doing gymnastics right in bed, cycling, stretching, began to slowly squat not deeply with support on a chair, then deeper and deeper;
• To avoid blood clots, I started drinking in capsules.

A lot of time passed, more than one month, probably six months, when I noticed that the swelling had almost subsided and my leg didn’t hurt. I have been working out this day, thanks to exercise, many improvements have occurred in the body: I ​​have become more resilient, stronger, tinnitus has decreased, my withers have subsided, and lightness has appeared. Now I’m struggling with the restructuring of the body, I came, I need to connect, change the diet, so there’s enough to do, everything needs to be studied and adjusted to suit you. But this is my story, it is individual for everyone and everyone is responsible for themselves. Share your experience.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones!

The knee joint, which is complex in its structure, is often affected by different types neoplasms, which are classified according to their causes and location. One of them is a Baker's cyst - a tumor-like, dense benign education, connected to the knee joint, which must be treated, since it tends to increase in size. Pathology develops against the background of injuries, degenerative diseases, inflammatory processes lower limbs, and sometimes its nature is completely impossible to establish.

What is a Baker's cyst?

This benign tumor in the area of ​​the popliteal fossa, filled with synovial fluid. The popliteal cyst also has other names - hernia or popliteal bursitis. The size of the neoplasm can be small or reach several centimeters in diameter: the larger the hernia under the knee, the more pronounced the symptoms appear in a person.

Mostly synovial cyst of the popliteal fossa occurs in children under 7 years of age and in adults over 40 years of age. In older people, pathology can also occur, which experts associate with the physiological processes of joint destruction. Diseases that often accompany Baker's cyst are arthritis and osteoarthritis. The tumor is localized, as a rule, under the knee joint on one of the two limbs, extremely rarely affecting both popliteal fossae.

Symptoms

In appearance, a hernia of the knee joint is an elastic, dense, resilient formation that is easy to detect even if it is small in size. However, if Baker's tumor is located in the articular cavity of the knee and is small in size, the patient may not pay attention to the disease for a long time, since its symptoms will not be pronounced. When the cyst under the knee develops, increasing in size, and the pathology moves to the next stage, the lump becomes visually distinct and the person begins to feel discomfort when moving.

The symptoms of the disease depend on the size of the cystic growth. So, a small formation does not give any unpleasant sensations until it begins to grow. An increasing size of the lump causes the following symptoms:

• swelling of the lower leg due to surrounding tissues compressing the joint;
• pain in the knee area, which intensifies as the disease progresses;
• local temperature increase;
• redness of the knee area of ​​the leg;
• impaired joint mobility;
• decreased sensitivity of the lower leg and foot due to increased stress on the nerves;
• gait disturbance.

In children

In a child, a synovial cyst of the popliteal fossa appears due to various unfavorable factors. Doctors can't name exact reasons diseases, however, it is believed that the neoplasm develops for reasons such as:

• infectious lesion joint capsule;
• injury to the knee joint, which caused leakage of joint fluid and tissue swelling;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• meniscus injury (tear).

For a long time, Baker's tumor can be asymptomatic, so parents, as a rule, do not notice the pathology at the beginning of the formation. Experts recommend paying attention to such deviations, which indirectly indicate the presence of a neoplasm:

• certain difficulties with leg extension;
• tissue changes in the popliteal fossa (formation of bulge, compaction);
• reduced mobility of the knee joint;
• nagging pain when straightening the leg;
• sharp pain at the location of the cystic formation.

Causes

In some cases, a cyst under the knee forms without apparent reason, for example, this occurs in older people when their joints wear out. In addition, people who are overweight are susceptible to the disease because their joints are under excessive stress. Baker's tumors are often formed due to the presence of inflammatory diseases or against the background of previous injuries. In addition, cystosis of the knee joint can occur against the background of certain diseases, for example:

• chronic synovitis;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• osteoarthritis;
• osteoarthritis;
• patellofemoral arthrosis;
• knee injuries, meniscus.

Complications

Baker's tumor is a common disease that at the beginning of its development is not accompanied by any discomfort and does not affect the function of the joints. However, sometimes the disease provokes dangerous complications that require surgical medical intervention. If you find a popliteal cyst on your body, you should not hesitate to contact a specialist, as there is a risk of developing the following complications:

• with excessive increase in tumor size due to high pressure it can rupture, with joint fluid entering the lower leg, the patient will experience pain, swelling, and increase local temperature;
• due to tightness tibial nerve the cyst may cause numbness in the lower leg;
• due to the increased size of the tumor, compression of the lymphatic, nerve, and blood vessels located under the knee occurs, as a result of which the leg hurts and swells;
• due to compression of the veins of the lower leg, thrombophlebitis can develop, in addition, the pathology causes the occurrence of vein thrombosis, in extreme cases, pulmonary embolism occurs (when a blood clot breaks off and migrates through the blood vessels).
• Baker's cyst often provokes varicose veins.

Diagnostics

If a Baker's tumor is suspected, the doctor examines and palpates back patient's knee to detect possible bumps. To confirm the diagnosis, in addition, the following are used: diagnostic measures:

• MRI examination (magnetic waves help determine the structure of the formation and detect damage to the meniscus);
• diaphanoscopy (via bright light the doctor discovers a joint cavity filled with fluid);
• arthroscopy of the knee (tubes are inserted into the joint, with the help of which its cavity is examined);
• arthrography (a contrast agent and air are injected into the knee joint, due to which the contours of the soft tissues and the surface of the joint become clear);
• X-ray (using this method, a specialist will be able to identify diseases such as arthrosis, arthritis, etc.).

Treatment

The pathology begins to be treated after confirmation of the diagnosis, while the specialist takes into account the age, lifestyle, health status of the patient, and whether he has chronic diseases. Therapy is aimed at eliminating the cause of inflammation of the synovial bursa and tumor formation. For this purpose, the doctor prescribes conservative treatment or surgical intervention. The patient is advised to rest, avoid physical activity, and use cold compresses to relieve symptoms such as swelling and pain syndrome.

In addition to the listed methods of treating Baker's tumor, it is necessary to fix the organ of movement with simple or elastic bandage, due to which swelling is reduced. The bandage is made tight, but does not interfere with blood flow, so as not to aggravate the disease. At the same time, the diseased limb should be located on an elevation, due to which the blood supply to the leg improves and the tissues are restored faster. If there is no need to carry out hospital treatment, the doctor prescribes physiological procedures and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Treatment of Baker's cyst without surgery

The choice of treatment tactics for the pathology depends on the intensity of the inflammatory process, the size of the formation, and its location. Therapy is prescribed exclusively by a doctor, and the patient must adhere to his recommendations. in strict order. It is strictly prohibited to treat a popliteal hernia on your own, as this can lead to serious complications. Methods conservative treatment Baker's tumors include:

1. Taking medications. The medicine is indicated only in the presence of pain or inflammation. In this case, anti-inflammatory, analgesic ointments, tablets, and injections are used. If the inflammation is purulent, it is prescribed antibacterial therapy.
2. Crushing the hernia. Under the influence of external force, the tumor is crushed, and the contents of the cyst flow into the external tissues. This method very painful, can cause relapses of the disease, therefore in modern medical practice practically not used.
3. Cyst puncture. The hernia is punctured with a thin needle, after which its contents are pulled out. Sometimes the procedure is supplemented with sclerotherapy, when sclerosing compounds are introduced into the capsule cavity, which ensure adhesion of the vessel walls. This technique, like crushing, has high risk recurrence of the disease.
4. Physiotherapeutic methods. Doctors use mud applications, shock wave treatment, ointment compresses, and laser therapy, but the effectiveness of these measures is questionable. They only help reduce pain, but do not affect the course of the pathology.
5. Exercise therapy. Exercises are used only in combination with other methods of treating Baker's cyst. Therapeutic exercises are used during the rehabilitation stage after excision of the cyst, since physical activity often causes the tumor to enlarge.

Drug treatment

As a rule, reception medicines combined with surgery. Drug therapy is prescribed in two cases:

1. In order to relieve pain and reduce swelling. For this, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (tablets, ointments) and cortisone injections directly into the inflamed area are used. These remedies help eliminate inflammation and reduce its negative manifestations. However, such treatment usually does not give the expected result if the cyst has not been removed.
2. To prevent complications after surgery. For this purpose, anti-inflammatory drugs with an analgesic effect are prescribed in the form of ointments, gels, tablets, and injection solutions.

Ointments

It will not be possible to cure the disease with conservative therapy, since anti-inflammatory ointments have only a symptomatic effect. Using such remedies, you can temporarily relieve swelling and eliminate pain, however, since the cyst still remains under the knee, the symptoms return again after you stop using the ointments. Nevertheless, local remedies help eliminate the discomfort and pain that accompany Baker's tumor, which is why doctors prescribe them to patients with this diagnosis. Symptoms of the pathology can be treated with:

1. Diclofenac. The product has an anti-inflammatory, decongestant, analgesic effect. The ointment improves joint mobility, relieving the feeling of stiffness and reducing swelling. The advantage of the drug is that it acts on the source of inflammation as in calm state, and during movements. According to reviews, Diclofenac has no disadvantages.
2. Ortofen. A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug is prescribed to treat inflammation, degenerative diseases such as osteochondrosis, deforming osteoarthrosis, etc. Plus the product in its effectiveness and wide range actions. The downside is the ban on the use of Ortofen by children under 16 years of age and women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.
3. Nurofen. The drug has an anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect and is used to treat many inflammatory diseases musculoskeletal system and soft tissues. The plus of the medicine is its low cost, the minus is its average effectiveness compared to analogues.

Exercises

After surgical and drug treatment of Baker's tumor, tissue inflammation lasts for about six months, during which time the joint should be protected from heavy loads. It is not recommended to exercise during the recovery period of the joint. gym as this increases the risk of complications. It is better to use stretching exercises and yoga poses, which are beneficial for muscles, ligaments and joints.

The set of exercises described below will help relieve muscle tension, which serves as one of the reasons that leads to the formation of a popliteal cyst. Due to poor tissue elasticity, the synovial bursa accounts for strong pressure. Thus, after treatment of cystic lesions of the knee joints, experts recommend using exercises that do not exert axial loads:

1. Wrap the affected knee with an elastic bandage, secure the loop expander to a support located at the same level as the area where the cyst is located. Place your foot through the loop and take a few steps back until you feel resistance. Begin to gently straighten your leg, doing 10 repetitions at a time. Gradually increase the number of approaches.
2. Sit on a chair, put weights on your ankles and straighten your leg. Stay static for a minute, then bend your knee to a third and hold your leg in this position for another 30 seconds. Let your knee rest, then lower your leg to the floor.
3. Sit on the floor, stretch your legs forward. Press your healthy leg towards you, bending the knee joint, and attach a weight to the patient’s ankle. Raise the latter above the floor, holding for 20 seconds. Repeat the exercise 10 times.

Surgical removal

Removal of the tumor is currently the only radical treatment for Baker's cyst. After surgery, the risk of relapse is only 10-20%, compared to 80-90% when using conservative methods therapy. Surgical intervention is prescribed if there are the following indications:

• large size of education;
• pain syndrome limiting the functions of the knee;
• ineffectiveness of other treatment methods;
• development of any complication;
• suspicion of a malignant tumor;
• the patient's desire to correct a cosmetic defect.

Popliteal hernia removal is performed in a standard way(with open access) or using modern minimally invasive techniques. The latter help to avoid noticeable scars, reduce the period of tissue recovery, and reduce the risk of complications. The operation is performed under local or regional anesthesia. The duration of the procedure is about 20 minutes, after which the patient is left in the hospital for up to 5 hours. Stepping on the operated leg is allowed no earlier than the 5th day.

Treatment of Baker's cyst with folk remedies

If the neoplasm is small in size and it was diagnosed in a timely manner, then treatment of Baker’s cyst of the knee joint with folk remedies has positive results. However, carry out alternative therapy should be under medical supervision. The most common traditional methods are:

1. Alcohol tincture from a golden mustache. Grind the leaves, stems, tendrils of the plant, place the components in a 3-liter jar in such quantities that they fill the container. Fill the plant with vodka and leave for 3 weeks in a dark place. Strain the product and take 2 sips 3 times a day, and at night make compresses from the tincture.
2. Compress with burdock. Grind the leaves of the plant, apply the resulting pulp to the sore knee and cover with cling film, wrapping it with warm material on top. Secure the compress with a bandage and leave it overnight.
3. Compress with celandine. Grind a small bush of the plant using a blender. Place the resulting mass on gauze and apply it to the location of the Baker's cyst. Repeat the procedure daily at night.

Prevention

To prevent the appearance of a neoplasm, it is necessary to follow a number of preventive measures. Despite the unprovenness of their effectiveness, experts tend to believe that the rules listed below help avoid the occurrence of a popliteal tumor. For this purpose it is necessary:

• warm up the lower leg muscles and leg ligaments by massaging them before playing sports;
• wear comfortable shoes;
• avoid injury;
• start and stop physical activity gradually;
• provide knee protection during sports;
• promptly treat any diseases, especially infectious ones;
• after 50 years, start taking courses of chondroprotectors.

Video

A Becker cyst (or hernia, popliteal bursitis) is a benign tumor that forms on the back of the lower leg (slightly below the popliteal fossa). It is an accumulation of non-purulent inflammatory fluid in the mucous tendon bursa, which is located between the tendons of the semimembranosus and gastrocnemius muscles. In this article we will introduce you to the causes, manifestations, possible complications and methods for diagnosing and treating Becker cysts.

The presence of such a bag is an anatomical variant of the norm, and it is present in approximately 50% of people. The bursa communicates through a slit-like opening with the cavity of the knee joint. When inflammation occurs for a long time in it, fluid from its cavity enters this tendon bursa, accumulates and forms a cyst with a special valve that prevents the return of exudate to the joint. At the initial stages, the tumor is small in size and does not manifest itself in any way, but as it grows, it causes pain and disturbances in the functioning of the knee joint, and in severe cases can provoke the development dangerous complications.

This disease was first described in the 19th century by Dr. William Becker and was named after him. As a rule, it is age-related and is more often detected in elderly or middle-aged people. In rare cases, it develops in children.

Causes

The formation of Becker cysts can be caused by inflammatory and metabolic-dystrophic pathological processes in the knee joint:

• , patellofemoral arthrosis, etc.;
• damage and destruction of cartilage;
• degenerative changes in the menisci.

All of the above processes lead to the production of large volumes of synovial fluid. It accumulates in the tendon bursa and forms a cyst. As it grows, it puts pressure on nerve endings and causes discomfort.

Symptoms

Typically, a Becker cyst forms on one leg. However, in some cases, such neoplasms can form on both limbs or be multiple.

A Becker cyst can range in size from 2 to 10-15 mm. On initial stages it does not manifest itself in any way, but as the fluid accumulates and the volume increases, the formation causes discomfort and pain. It becomes harder for a person to straighten the knee joint and straighten the leg.

A round, dense and elastic formation may form under the knee in the upper corner of the popliteal fossa. When palpating it, the patient experiences pain.

As the cyst grows, it becomes more and more difficult to straighten the leg. At first, painful sensations appear only during physical activity, and later they can occur at rest. Compression of the nerves by the cyst causes sensations of numbness in the foot and crawling, and the large size of the tumor can cause the development of dangerous complications. If a large volume of liquid accumulates, it can open on its own.

A Becker cyst may change in size over time and disappear on its own or be present for many years.

Complications

When a Becker cyst ruptures, the fluid in it enters the calf muscle and causes swelling of the leg. This complication may be accompanied by pain, itching and redness of the skin. The spilled liquid resolves on its own after a few weeks, but to eliminate unpleasant sensations, it is recommended to take it.

If the cyst is large, compression of the leg veins may occur, causing blood stagnation. The leg begins to swell and her skin color changes to purple. With prolonged stagnation, the color of the skin becomes brown and they can form trophic ulcers that are difficult to treat.

Compression of the veins can lead to the development of thrombosis. When blood clots break off and migrate to different organs, their ischemia develops, and when they enter the pulmonary artery, this quickly leads to fatal outcome a condition such as PE (pulmonary embolism).

The large size of the Becker cyst leads to disruption of the blood supply to the muscles and bones. Subsequently, this causes the development of muscle necrosis and such dangerous disease, as osteomyelitis, accompanied by a purulent-necrotic process of bone tissue and bone marrow. Later, inflammation of the bone marrow, bone and periosteum can cause the development of sepsis.

Diagnostics

The doctor can suspect the development of a Becker cyst based on the patient’s characteristic complaints and the results of examination of the popliteal area. To clarify the diagnosis, an ultrasound of the knee joint is prescribed. If necessary, the examination can be supplemented by MRI and arthroscopy.

Treatment

Treatment of Becker's cyst can be conservative or surgical. Its tactics are determined by the doctor individually and depend on the characteristics of each specific case. As additional funds Physiotherapeutic techniques and traditional medicine can be used to treat this pathology.

Conservative therapy

In most cases, the use medications(in the form of ointments, tablets and injections) for the treatment of Becker's cyst is ineffective, eliminates only pain and brings only temporary results. In addition to medications, your doctor may recommend certain medications during the initial stages of the disease. folk remedies– compresses from tincture of golden mustache, burdock and celandine.

Subsequently, if the patient’s condition worsens, puncture of the cyst is recommended. During this procedure, the doctor pierces the formation with a thick needle and pumps out fluid from it. After this, an anti-inflammatory drug (Diprospan, Triamcinolone, Berlicort, etc.) is injected into the cavity of the cyst (i.e., intertendinous bursa).

Such manipulations give only temporary results. During remission, physiotherapeutic procedures may be prescribed for treatment. Over time, constant stress on the joint leads to the re-accumulation of fluid and the formation of a cyst.

Surgery

Indications for performance surgery The following cases may occur:

• long-term existence of the cyst;
• ineffectiveness of conservative therapy;
• large size of the cyst, leading to compression of the vessels of the nerves, soft tissues and bones;
• limitation of knee joint functions.

The intervention is performed under local anesthesia. A small skin incision is made over the cyst, the formation is isolated, and the junction of the tendon bursa with the knee joint is stitched and bandaged. After this, the Becker cyst is removed and the wound is sutured.

The operation lasts about 30 minutes and is not complicated. After its completion, the patient remains in the hospital for 24 hours and can then be discharged. After 5 days, the doctor may allow minor stress on the knee joint. Sutures are removed after 7 days.

Development modern medicine allows you to perform operations to remove a Becker cyst using an arthroscope. Such minimally invasive interventions allow patients to recover in a shorter time.

A Becker cyst can go unnoticed for a long time or cause minor discomfort to the patient. However, its large volume can provoke the development of many severe and dangerous complications. That is why this disease needs mandatory treatment from a specialist.

Which doctor should I contact?

If signs of a Becker cyst appear—protrusion in the popliteal region and pain when bending the leg—consult an orthopedist. To clarify the diagnosis and determine treatment tactics, the doctor will prescribe an ultrasound of the knee joint. If necessary, the examination can be supplemented with MRI or arthroscopy.

With age, joints begin to work worse, so they develop various diseases. Some of them are harmless in themselves and do not cause serious discomfort in the initial stages. Such pathologies include a cyst under the knee. This neoplasm most often occurs in people over 35 years of age who expose their legs to increased loads. On initial stage The pathology hardly manifests itself in any way, does not interfere and does not cause pain. But it is better to start treating it as early as possible, otherwise it may grow. And if the cyst is large, it can only be removed through surgery.

general characteristics

Such a benign tumor under the knee is called a Becker cyst, named after the scientist who first described the pathology in the 19th century. Now this disease is also called hernia or bursitis of the popliteal fossa. It is characterized by the appearance of a protrusion with inside legs under the knee joint. This is a sac filled with inflammatory fluid. Its size can be from 2 mm to 10 cm. But usually the cyst does not grow more than 3 cm.

In half of the people, there is an intertendon bursa located behind it, which communicates with the joint. Its presence is anatomical feature, not pathology. But in case of inflammation, synovial fluid penetrates into this bursa. It accumulates because the valve system prevents it from flowing back. As a result, the bag increases in size. A cyst under the knee joint often does not cause any discomfort and resolves on its own after some time. But it can stay for a long time and even grow to large sizes.

Most often, such a tumor forms on one leg. But sometimes multiple cysts occur and even develop on both legs at the same time.

Reasons for appearance

Most often, a popliteal cyst develops with age in people with joint pathologies. But the disease can even occur in a child, although much less frequently. After all, the main causes of tumor growth are inflammatory or degenerative diseases. Most often it is rheumatoid arthritis, gonarthrosis or synovitis. Especially if these pathologies are advanced and improperly treated. Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor promptly at the slightest discomfort in the joint.

A cyst under the knee severely limits the mobility of the joint

But there are other reasons for the growth of a cyst under the knee. It may occur in healthy people after a knee injury. This is especially often caused by damage to and. Therefore, people who regularly expose their knees to increased stress most often suffer from this pathology. physical activity. These are loaders, athletes, couriers, builders. As a result of overexertion, injury or degenerative processes, the production of large quantity synovial fluid that penetrates from the joint cavity into the tendon bursa

Symptoms

At the initial stage, a Becker cyst causes only slight discomfort. It's still hard to notice. But as the inflammatory fluid accumulates, the cyst grows. Soon it begins to interfere with movement and causes discomfort.

The following symptoms appear:

• pain in the knee joint and lower leg;
• tingling in the toes and soles;
• numbness of the skin below the knee;
• restriction of movement, especially when bending or straightening the leg.

When the cyst reaches a size larger than a centimeter, it can be felt and even visually noticed on a straightened leg. It is quite dense and elastic to the touch, and painful sensations occur upon palpation. If at the initial stage pain may appear when bending and extending the knee joint, then as the tumor grows the joint hurts even at rest. It becomes impossible to straighten the leg, which greatly limits the patient’s ability to work.

A Becker cyst causes pain when moving and can make it impossible to straighten the knee.

Complications

People who have encountered such a pathology do not know how dangerous such a cyst can be. This tumor can transmit nerve roots, causing numbness of the leg below the joint and pain. If it grows to such a size that it compresses blood vessels, this can lead to the development varicose veins veins or thrombophlebitis. This is dangerous because a detached blood clot can clog a vessel anywhere, causing pulmonary embolism or stroke. Leg due to violation venous outflow swells and turns purple. Trophic ulcers may appear.

In advanced forms of the disease, compression of nerves and blood vessels can cause disruption of metabolic processes in tissues. This leads to tissue necrosis or the development of osteomyelitis. The purulent-necrotic process can cause sepsis.

But most often less serious complications occur. For example, the most common is the penetration of inflammatory fluid from the cyst into the lower leg muscles. This causes swelling and pain. When the cyst grows to big size, strong fluid pressure may cause it to rupture. The leaked fluid causes pain, itching, swelling and redness of the skin. The temperature may rise and symptoms of intoxication may appear.

Diagnostics

Not everyone knows which doctor to contact if symptoms of a cyst appear. Most often, such pathologies are dealt with by orthopedists or traumatologists. They can make a diagnosis based on the symptoms and external examination of the patient. But to confirm it, additional examination is necessary. Most often this is an MRI or ultrasound of the knee joint. X-ray radiation cannot determine the size and boundaries of the cyst, so it is prescribed only for injuries or arthrosis.

If an operation is planned to remove a cyst or if it is complicated by other pathologies, joint arthroscopy is prescribed. It is carried out under local anesthesia. Special equipment is inserted into the joint cavity using a thin needle, which helps to completely examine this area and even take synovial fluid for analysis. Sometimes blood tests may also be required if there are symptoms of severe intoxication or fever.

Ultrasound or MRI of the popliteal fossa will help clarify the diagnosis

Treatment

Only after examination and staging accurate diagnosis the doctor determines how to treat the cyst correctly. Sometimes it can resolve on its own, but it is better to help it so that it does not cause complications. You should know that a cyst can be completely cured only if you get rid of the pathologies that caused it. Therefore, arthrosis or arthritis should not be caused; it is important to follow all doctor’s recommendations.

In case of injury, you must contact medical institution, even if the knee doesn’t hurt much. This will help avoid complications and detect the presence of a tumor at the initial stage.

In most cases, cysts are treated with traditional methods. These are anti-inflammatory therapy, intra-articular injections, joint puncture, physiotherapy and physiotherapy. Treatment should be comprehensive, and the doctor determines its features individually. In advanced cases, surgery may be required. And as a auxiliary treatment folk remedies are often used.

Conservative therapy

At the initial stage, puncture of the cyst is sufficient to remove its contents. After this, corticosteroid drugs are injected into the cavity of the intertendinous bursa. Most often it is “Berlicort” or “Diprospan”. They have anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. This treatment of a cyst is effective if it is not complicated by tissue swelling or circulatory problems. But after a puncture, a relapse of the disease is possible, so it is necessary to undergo regular examination by a doctor in order to detect it in time.

Sometimes, at the initial stage, the doctor may only prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for oral administration, for example, Ibuprofen or Metindol. They relieve inflammation, pain and swelling. For the same purpose, you can use injections of corticosteroid drugs, for example, Hydrocortisone. Such preparations can also be used in the form of ointments.

Particularly effective drug treatment if the cyst bursts. Fluid trapped in the tissue causes severe swelling, pain and inflammation. They can be relieved by external means based on NSAIDs or by taking these drugs orally.

But drug therapy only relieves pain and inflammation, sometimes this is not enough. If treatment is stopped, the cyst may begin to grow again under the influence of increased physical activity.

Physiotherapeutic procedures are used as an auxiliary treatment

Therefore, during remission, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed as an auxiliary treatment. They relieve inflammation, activate blood circulation and speed up recovery. This may be exposure to pulsed electromagnetic radiation, laser irradiation, UHF or bioresonance therapy. Radon or hydrogen sulfide baths. Light self-massage is also useful.

For Becker cysts, doctors often recommend doing special therapeutic exercises. They should be aimed at strengthening the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint. This helps speed up blood circulation and relieve swelling. Particularly effective physiotherapy if the cause of the disease is arthritis.

Surgery

A cyst that has been developing for a long time and has reached a large size can only be treated with surgery. This method is also used if the tumor has compressed the nerve roots or blood vessels, interferes with movement and causes severe pain.

More often surgery performed under local anesthesia. Through a small incision under the knee, the intertendinous bursa is sutured at its junction with the joint. After this, the cyst is removed. This operation lasts only half an hour and is usually well tolerated, but last years it was often replaced by less traumatic arthroscopy.

Sometimes treatment of a cyst is only possible with surgery

Traditional methods

Sometimes the patient tries to relieve pain under the knee on his own. Ice compresses help in this case, but it is best to consult a doctor. Traditional treatment cysts are possible, but only in the composition complex therapy after consultation with a specialist. Such products need to be used for a long time, so it is better to use them at the initial stage.

Various compresses on the area of ​​the popliteal fossa help speed up the resorption of the cyst and relieve inflammation. The most effective for this are considered to be burdock leaves or golden mustache. Decoctions or tinctures are made from them. In addition to external use, golden mustache can be taken internally.

The following recipes are also effective:

• use as a compress fresh leaves elderberries and raspberries;
• a mixture of medicinal bile, camphor and celandine herb relieves pain and swelling well;
• can be mixed spicy cloves with dandelion and comfrey roots and make a decoction;
• It is good to take a collection of the following herbs inside: St. John's wort, oregano, sweet clover, calendula, hawthorn fruits, cinquefoil roots, burdock, goat willow, calamus, licorice, pine buds, birch leaves.

If you find a cyst under your knee, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. This will prevent complications and help get rid of the tumor faster.