Bakers Cysts

[janetellen]

Has anyone had the misfortune of having bakers cycts as well as RA? If so how did they get rid of them?

[LavendarLady]

Yes I had one behind my knee which burst. It was the first proper sign of Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was in the USA at the time and the Hospital in San Diego confirmed it was to do with RA. When I got home and saw the GP, he confirmed it as well. Since it burst., it has not come back although I have one behind the other knee which is not causing any problems at all. LavendarLady x

[Terrpist in reply to LavendarLady]

Is that the same as Rhematiod. Nodule?

[LavendarLady in reply to Terrpist]

Not as far as I know. The nodules are hard lumps which tend to appear on the backs of wrists etc. The cyst is fluid filled and they often burst of their own accord or it troublesome, can be drained,.

LavendarLady x

[cris1728]

I had an ultrasound of my knee whilst having investigations and was told I have a bakers cyst osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis in the knee dont think the bakers cyst causes me any probs. I have OA and Inflammatory arthritis in the other knee but no bakers cyst and whilst I have problems intermittently with both knees there is no difference between the knees

crisxx

[ladydeerthorpe]

Yes, I have R.A. and had a burst Baker's cyst last year. I had a scan because it feels like a D.V.T. The cyst was syringed out, followed by a steroid injection into the knee. It has been fine since then.

[tamnwill]

Discovered with scan whilst checking out abnormal swelling all over lower leg. Arthroscopy performed and bakers cyst drained out along with rest of fluid. Never returned. That was 4 years ago now :o) If you have it done, rest up after, seriously, because I didn't and had to have the fluid drained again twice after surgery (within six weeks post op') and had to get drained with a harpoon and no anaesthetic..... I could have quite happily shot him :o)

[kerpag]

Hi, I get Bakers cysts in one knee,happened a few times now and each time I have to have a scan to exclude DVT. Just had 4 weeks off work cause of it and subsequent flare if RA. Nothing seems to really help, just rest and anti inflammatories. Very common additional problem to RA.

[LavendarLady]

Mine also felt like DVT particularly as we had just done a long haul from Heathrow to San Francisco. The whole leg swelled up but mainly because there was no where for the fluid to go and I was advised by the Hospital tokeep my leg up. I had an ultrasound scan at San Diego hospital - that was fascinating to watch as it was all in colour and you could see the blood whizzing up and down the arteries and veins.

The hospital checked me for DVT first because of the flight (although I usually get up and walk around and I had those horrible compression stockings on as well) but then realised it wasn't DVT but the burst Baker Cyst.

If anyone is every in San Diego, I can highly recommend the Scripps Mercy Hospital who looked after and cared for me very well - obviously I would hope you don't need it! LOL.

LavendarLady x

[Neonkitty]

I too get Baker Cysts. Currently got a troublesome one behind the right knee which feels quite hard, restricting much of my movement. Usually the Rheumatologists have drained from the front knee joint, just prior to giving a hydrocortisone when I am in a flare up, but never drained directly from the Cyst itself. The cysts come with flare ups to the worst knee and subside with rest. I wonder if I would have more success with them if they were drained directly from the Cyst, but my RA is not being held under control and I need to change my meds.

[Wolf52]

I have had Baker Cysts behind both knees since 2006 - was diagnosed with RA in 2009. No one told me it was an early sign of RA and neither GP nor Consultant will drain them. They can be very painful especially when they burst and then refill.

Nina

[LavendarLady in reply to Wolf52]

Hi Nina, that's interesting. The hospital in the USA definitely told me it was a sign for RA and even put if on my discharge notes to give to my GP when we got back to the UK. My rheumy consultant also confirmed it was one of the signs for RA.

Makes you wonder doesn't it?

LavendarLady

[Neonkitty]

Wolf52, I never knew it was an early sign. I have had my Baker cysts problems in the last three years since the knees became much worse with RA. In the 15 years before that i never had one. Did they say why they won't try drain?

[Wolf52]

Hi Neonkitty, they said they would only refill as soon as they were drained and therefore a waste of time and resources

LavendarLady, I don't doubt it, if only I'd known how much life would be affected by early onset of RA.

I hate this disease.

[Neonkitty]

Sorry Wolf, just seen your reply! Always had mine drained at same time as having a hydrocortisone injection so didn't make a separate appointment etc. They have given me great relief so not a waste of time for me them draining off fluid but they never pulled fluid from it direct. Always from the front. Made the difference of me being able to do major things like getting upstairs and into the shower. Hope you are alright at the moment.

Julie x