So, at work today I developed a bit of pain behind my knee- it also had a sense of numbness around it. Just got in with the day, but sitting in the sofa tonight, it’s been more painful, and it’s been difficult to bed without tight pain.
I asked my daughter to look and she said there is a lump behind it - although I don’t feel any lump?
Any ideas what this might be - bearing in mind I had total knee replacement in both knees about 3 ish years ago.
Thanks in advance
Hi Eiram. I'm thinking Baker's cyst (you can get them after TKR apparently). I've had one twice and they are quite painful and a real nuisance - mine didn't swell much initially but the swelling got quite bad after a while. I would ring your GP and ask advice in case it's not a BC. I just left mine - rested it and used ice and it eventually went although it took a few months. I did have an ultra sound which confirmed it was a Baker's Cyst and are quite common with RA apparently. Good luck. xx
Aw thank you. I did wonder about this. Excuse my ignorance, but do they just disappear on their own, over time? Or is it something that would need treated?
Trying to avoid the doctors surgery!
Mine did disappear on its own but as I've had two now in the same knee, I would imagine you can become a bit prone to them. As it's a swelling though (even though you can't see it, your daughter can so I really think you should see your GP about it just to be on the safe side as it may not be a BC. xx
Will do - that’s if I can get through to them!
It’s a real challenge trying to get through to the gp surgery at the minute.
Thank you x
I email the reception with Fao for Dr ... in the subject line. Works a treat.
Yes I know what you mean. Let us know how you get on Eiram. 🤞 xx
Will do x
Yes I agree ... I’ve had bakers cysts as well since rd diagnosis.
Thank you. I’ll give the GP a call in the morning
Sounds very much indeed like a Baker Cyst. I have had one reoccurring for around 15 years now, and over use of the knee and at times when the RA hasn’t been under good control then the Baker Cyst returns. A knee steroid injection sends it in on its way for me for about 9 months then it seems to find its way back but it’s manageable like this for me. I hope you can get some relief and mention it to your rheumy. x
Thank you. I’ll call someone in the morning x
Thank you. I’ll try to call gp or rhuemy this morning. Stay safe x
This could be a bakers cyst , not sure need to get checked .👍
I'd also imagine a Baker's cyst , am hoping you've been able, or will be able ,to get through to Gp today and hopefully get some reassurance.
I’ve got this and it sounds like a Baker’s Cyst. Mine comes and goes and had it for years, was told surgery not recommended as there are lots of blood vessels there. Rest and ice best treatment x
Hello Eiran, I had a TKR two years ago and I do get pain in the back of the knee sometimes. I think it's just tendons and ligaments complaining. It never lasts more than a few days. Hopefully your pain will go away soo.
That’s good to hear! Thank you and take care of yourself x
I find with mine it’s a case of not having enough room once the swelling/cyst takes up room in the area at the back of the knee (popliteal fossa). Then it’s stiff and rigid and coming down stairs and bending it gets impossible. When it has been like that I’ve needed a steroid in it. Mine is a worn joint. My recurring cyst (had it for around 15 years now although had R.A. for 25) usually needs a steroid injection every 9-12 months to make it disappear for a while, but at the mo they’re not giving those out easily and I haven’t pursued. If you know what it is and it is manageable then ... you manage it, especially at the moment but as you’ve said and others have, it's best for the rheumy (it’s usually my physio who diagnoses everything like that!) to feel it/examine. However for me there was/is never a chance of a scan at rheumatology as they don’t believe in doing them (£££) unless you are going to have an op/replacement. Really strict policy .. very wrong imho!!
I’ve had both knees replaced fortunately/ unfortunately- I just need the pain to lessen to what’s a manageable level! X
I’m not at the stage yet to go for replacement .. and although xrays ahow moderate to severe OA, my mobility is very good and pain co trolled but that can change as we know. I will have replacements at some point though. I did read a while ago somewhere else that even after a knee replacement a BC could still be troublesome. I was surprised as thought the op would eliminate all that. Are your knee ops recent? I hope it calms and settles for you. x
I had them both replaced together, at the same time, 3 plus years ago. I had both hips replaced together at the same time, 12 weeks before the knees!
I had been having pain in one of my hips but mri showed there was all but nothing left - and the same with my knees although I had no pain whatsoever in my knees? Just goes to show the amount of damage that RA causes, and how quickly.
A year before this, I’d been absolutely fine and never at the gp.
I wish you the best going forward, wherever your knees should take you x
Hi Eiram, I asked re when you had your knees done in case the Baker Cyst was a more recent reaction to surgery but I can see it’s not in your case. You mentioned you’re working and likely you’re doing a lot of movement and travelling possibly, and maybe a bit too much aggravating the knee? Thank you for your kind wishes. 💗 When it’s time I’ll know for the replacements and my rheumy said it wasn’t just yet. I do think when I’ve had them done I’ll think .. wow that’s so much better, as most people do! However I’m not in pain and mobility decent at the mo (I did manage to hurt just about every joint falling down the bottom of my bedroom steps in October! All is ok but some sore spots still re tendons and I twisted both knees ... could only happen!! All seems to be getting back to my normal now!) You are very brave! I need both hips doing at some point but again they’re not ready as such but have damage from early on when I first got RA. You are doing great if you’re working and after all your replacements. 👏 Well done to you, I’m very impressed. Let us know how you get on re the knee cyst. You could ask for a knee steroid for the cyst once confirmed it is a cyst. x
I wish you the best when the time comes. I cannot speak for the knees being better after replacement as they didn’t bother me before replacement but certainly, I felt a massive difference with my hips!
I have had various surgeries in my wrists and feet too and had my right ankle replaced just before we went into lockdown - that has been the only replacement that’s given me any bother and probably more so because it became infected- when the stitches were to be removed, the nurse left loads in and it caused quite a serious infection. Equally, due to covid I couldn’t get the physio needed and this resulted in the glue they used internally, sticking to my skin so it didn’t move, pulling in the Achilles’ tendon every time I tried to walk! Still, could be worse.
Have a good evening and let’s hope for better come 2021!
I had this very same discussion with my ex senior rheumy. She snarled at me and grabbed the back of my knee and squeezed and yelled!
That’s not good at all!
I gave up long ago re asking for scans! .. and as I said my senior physio had always been so good at pinpointing the exact issue. (If I needed a scan that much I’d go privately. Not the right way but if it’s the only way... )
I’m signing off here shortly for a couple of days to relax, so hope you have a good evening. 💗 I’m in my jeans and a new jumper sitting on the sofa and that’s as glam as I’m going to be tonight! I’ve a gorgeous fragrant garden candle burning and watching Highlander on iplayer. I’ll be making us some Black Russians later to toast the new year. I’m not big on NY .. surprising as my Granddad was Glaswegian! My very best wishes to you for 2021. 💗
Enjoy and thank you
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