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Having Knee Pain. Feel Lump Behind The Knee. What To Do?
Question: KNEE PAIN STARTED 4 WEEKS AGO AFTER TWISTING KNEE WHILE OUT RUNNING.INITIAL PAIN BEHIND KNEE, NOW BACK OF KNEE TIGHT AND WHEN IN CROUCHED POSITION THERE APPEARS TO BE A LUMP BEHIND KNEE TO LOWER OUTSIDE EDGE.I AM AN INTERNATIONAL VET RUNNER PART OF THIS PROBLEM MAY BE DUE TO OVERUSE.NOW PROBLEM SEEMS TO SHIFT BETWEEN TIGHTNESS BEHIND KNEE TO PAIN BELOW OR TO SIDE OF KNEE.SOME DAYS I FEEL OK.MORE CONCERNED NOW ABOUT LUMP BEHIND KNEE,THIS LUMP IS NOT THERE WHEN LEG IS IN STRAIGHT POSITION
Hi,
Thanks for writing to XXXXXXX
From the description of your symptoms , I think the lump behind the knee could be "POPLITEAL CYST OR BAKER CYST".
This cyst occurs in the back and outer part of the knee joint and presents as a mass. Typically this mass tends to enlarge after vigorous exercise or activity and subsides with rest.
These cyst are most commonly associated with intraarticular pathology (problems inside the knee joint) like "meniscal tears", degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis.
Majority of these cysts can be treated non surgically by
*Non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
* Compression sleeves
* Aspiration and intra cystic injection of corticosteroid (at times )
If this conservative management fails, then an open excision may be needed.
An Ultrasound or MRI will identify the cyst. MRI is preferable because it is helpful in identifying the other soft tissue problems in the knee joint.
Hope, I have answered your question. Happy to help if you need any more clarification.
Good day
Thanks for writing to XXXXXXX
From the description of your symptoms , I think the lump behind the knee could be "POPLITEAL CYST OR BAKER CYST".
This cyst occurs in the back and outer part of the knee joint and presents as a mass. Typically this mass tends to enlarge after vigorous exercise or activity and subsides with rest.
These cyst are most commonly associated with intraarticular pathology (problems inside the knee joint) like "meniscal tears", degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis.
Majority of these cysts can be treated non surgically by
*Non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
* Compression sleeves
* Aspiration and intra cystic injection of corticosteroid (at times )
If this conservative management fails, then an open excision may be needed.
An Ultrasound or MRI will identify the cyst. MRI is preferable because it is helpful in identifying the other soft tissue problems in the knee joint.
Hope, I have answered your question. Happy to help if you need any more clarification.
Good day
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :1996
Answered : 2148 Questions
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