Bakers cyst - rupture and treatment

[Red1973]

Has anyone had a bakers cyst that has ruptured and how long is recovery time.

For some time have had pain and tightness in calf after walking for short period.(have already been told Ihave arthritis in that knee and awaiting knee op)

However earlier this week back of calf really tight after walk ( I also spent few minutes on exercise bike)Rested leg that evening and next morning calf tighter with some slight discolouration.During day discolouration increased in size and slightly darker.I was elevating leg as much as possible but following morning most of back of calf had gone very red. I thought I had burst blood vessel so sent pictures to dr and got face to face appointment.Dr thought I might have blood clot so arrrsnged ultrasound which I had yesterday.at satellite clinic.

Nurse showed me ultrasound scan which showed bakers cyst which had burst .Unfortunatly she could not give me much advice re treatment and medication (I am already on various meds) so said speak to dr.Unable to speak to dr until after weekend so having just had sleepless night with considerable pain and back of calf feeling solid and unable to put much weight on leg to walk wondered if

1) Anybody on here had had Bakers Cyst that has burst.

2)How long did it take to recover and swelling to go down( Nurse did say fluid will be absorbed into body)

3) any tips re trying to walk as I want to keep mobile if possible.

4)Any medication or gels that they have found to help swelling and pain.

Thanks for any comments.

I have had some pain and swelling behind knee and in upper calf particularly after activity for over 12 months since being told I had arthritis and needed op and pre covid I asked more than 1 dr / physio could it be a bakers cyst but was told no it was just arthritis . Seems I could have been right all along.

[Sjhoney]

Hi! I’m just recovering from a bakers cyst, it takes ages! I had one last year and thought after my knee replacement in January that it wouldn’t happen again. I was wrong 🙄

Lockdown restrictions have made seeking help pretty hard. I’m worried that my knee is inflamed and this is going unchecked.

I hope yours clears up soon.

I’ve just been as active as normal, walking mostly, I’m not a hiker or gym bunnie 😄

Patience is a must 😳

Good luck 😊

[Red1973 in reply to Sjhoney]

Hi Sjhoney.

Many thanks for your response.Have been trying to find out info re Bakers Cyst - can get some about actual cyst but very little about after they rupture.

Do you mind me asking how long you have been recovering from yours as speaking to dr last Monday could not really get much info from her and nurses doing scan last Friday said take paracetamol for pain.I had follow up scan today - apparently cyst was 14cm last week and 10cms today but nurse said didn’t know how long to clear up.I am not sure if that is normal size for cyst.

Are you able to do much walking with your cyst. I rested my leg for a few days after cyst burst to allow inflammation to settle down but in last couple of days have done a little walking as having to go to appointments but leg ( and knee) stiff afterwards ( could be the arthritis)

Do you use any form of support to prevent further damage to the injured area.?

Do you use any cream or gel for your inflammation or just rely on painkiller tablets.I am in UK and as previously mentioned scanning nurse says take paracetamol-which don’t seem to have any effect so looking to put some gel on but don’t want to aggravate it.

Thanks again for your response - really appreciated and the only one I have received so far.

[Sjhoney in reply to Red1973]

Hi, it’s been 2wks since my scan and it’s just getting better now. I think it can take a while. I’ve been taking ibuprofen for inflammation but you can also take paracetamol on top for the pain if you need to.

I was worried as it started with sharp pain in my knee, which I now know is caused by the cyst. I thought maybe there was something wrong with my knee replacement which was freaking me out as it had all been going so well 😳

I’m moping it’s will not come back but who knows? Everything is possible with the horrible diseases 🙄

Take care 😊xx

[Sjhoney in reply to Red1973]

Oh and I don’t use gel as it has never done any good in the past 😄