Burst Bakers Cyst

[SheilaT3271]

I was diagnosed with RA about 6 years ago, initially on a combination of Hydroxychloroquine, Sulfasalazine and MTX but couldn't tolerate the MTX so have been on Benepali Etanercept for last couple of years. In Feb this year I suffered a burst Bakers Cyst which was quite restrictive and latterly quite painful. I subsequently had it aspirated and then a steroid injection into the knee which gave me some temporary relief for about 10 days and then further pain followed. Following an MRI scan, I am told I have significant damage to both cartilage and ligament but both my RA specialist and a knee surgeon felt that treating the RA initially was the best course of action to bring the inflammation down. Am guessing this related to my RA finding a way to the weak spot in the body. Following a further bigger steroid injection some 4 weeks ago some relief kicked in after about 5 days and the inflammation in the knee has reduced. My condition has improved considerably but its still painful to walk downstairs and I don't feel I can return to my tennis since putting too much pressure on the knee causes pain.

The fluid in my calf from the burst cyst also remains. Does anyone have experience of this and what I can expect in terms of full recovery and return to my usual sports activity.

[Blackberrywine]

Ooh yes! Poor you. I had this in both knees and got massive bruising from knee down to ankle. To be honest it felt better after it burst. Could barely walk up to that point. Very painful. Things improved gradually. I found massaging the knees and legs daily helped. As soon as I feel lumps at back of knees I massage firmly. Not had anything that bad since.

[SheilaT3271 in reply to Blackberrywine]

Thanks, that’s interesting. So you do deep massage on both knee and calf. Will give it a go.

[oldtimer2]

My partner had a burst Baker's cyst. It took at least six months for the swelling to go down, despite doing all the elevation etc that he had been told to do.

[SheilaT3271 in reply to oldtimer2]

Thanks, initially I think I had much higher expectation of a quick recovery but it now feels a lot better but still trying to resolve the remaining issue of pain on the outer side of the knee which I suspect is related to the ligament, and also to try to rid myself of the bulge in the calf.