Baker's cysts update

[Monkey321]

I posted 10 days ago about knee pain and possibly baker's cysts. After blood test showed my crp level at 14 abd wbc at 16.4 I was concerned. My DR wasn't concerned. I've had scaly area on my foot soles and foot area for a few months so I emailed Dr photo's of this plus photo's of my swollen knees/lower legs. I thought perhaps I might have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Dr replied it looked a fungal infection. He was worried about my legs and told me to book an urgent appt. After being told I couldn't get an appt for 6 weeks I got slightly annoyed with receptionist. She then got a nurse to ring me back, she talked to Dr and I got an appt 1.5 hrs later. I think Dr was concerned about blood clots. He has now referred me for knee ultrasounds and x rays for possible baker's cysts or arthritis. Still none the wiser, he is unsure as to what I "have". PMR, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Thanks for update - look forward to next one. Shame you had to get angsty with receptionist, but it seems to be the way of the world…

[Monkey321 in reply to DorsetLady]

Unfortunately you're right. I know it's not their fault but they have slots available they hold for urgent appts and yet she was adamant I couldn't get in for 6 weeks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Urgent and a 6 week wait? Hope someone had a word with the receptionist!

[Monkey321 in reply to PMRpro]

I told her to go and talk to go and talk to my Dr if she didn't believe me. I know Healthcare here is nz is way better than many, many countries so for that I'm thankful. It's just so frustrating to being pain, have bloods high for the last 2 yrs and yet, no answers. My Dr has over 1000 patients on his books so to him I'm just another one.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Monkey321]

Yes he may have a 1000, but that doesn’t make you any less important than the other 999.. l

[Monkey321 in reply to DorsetLady]

That's true but I get the distinct feeling the Dr is a bit over it. I'm pretty proactive with my health issues as I'm 100% over it myself and Dr's don't like patients who know more about their bodies and aren't shy in saying so.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Monkey321]

Our doctors are limited to 1500 officially but many have over 2000 on their lists and still manage to treat us as individuals - 1000 is small beer. But you are right - the less good ones are threatened by a patient who takes the effort to learn about their disorder. I'm lucky here - the majority of my doctors are great. The electrophysiologist is a bit up himself. However - he is the one who has NOT succeeded with his treatment!

[Monkey321 in reply to PMRpro]

There's always some doctors, specialists etc who are more annoying than others, just like in any profession. I've never heard of an electrophysiologist.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Monkey321]

They are the ones who specialise in the electrical system within the heart, how it works, what goes wrong and how to sort it.

[Monkey321 in reply to PMRpro]

Highly crucial then, I imagine they're well paid!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Monkey321]

Depends on the health system - here in Italy probably not as well paid as an electrician in the UK!!! Healthcare salaries here are surprisingly low.

[Monkey321 in reply to PMRpro]

That's surprising, I would have thought a heart specialist which is an extremely critical job would be paid well. Electricians are essential too but not quite at the same level. Funnily enough, they both deal with electrical currents! I've no idea of Healthcare salaries here but they would be more than an electrician definitely.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Monkey321]

They are in the UK probably - but here in Italy salaries in the healthcare sector are strangely modest for all departments.

Electricians have the advantage of being able to knock off at 5pm if they want to, refuse to work weekends and it is unusual for the job to die on them!

[LucilleG]

I noticed a Baker's cyst behind one of my knees the summer of 2022, 1.5 years after PMR symptoms began and 1 year after starting prednisone. I had an x-ray and ultrasound done and the radiologist confirmed it was a Baker's cyst and recommended I have a MRI done. The GP put in the request in October 2022 and later today I am finally getting those MRIs!!! (Since the first Baker's cyst appeared, I developed one on the back of the other knee). I've been a runner for most of my life (but not running since PMR diagnosis - just walking) and never had any issues with my knees. It doesn't bother me too much - some aches and a bit of pain, but it comes and goes and usually goes away once I'm out walking. It will be good to find out more info from the MRIs.

[Monkey321 in reply to LucilleG]

What a long wait for your MRI, 16 months seems like a huge wait. I hope it goes OK and you get some answers. They're weird things and weird places to develop. Another 1 of life's mysteries.

[Linlang]

me again- I was a radiographer. Arthritis will show but not a lot of detail. MRI best for visualisation.

U s tends to be for fluid not bone…

[Linlang in reply to Linlang]

I use active care gell - helps a lot Scottish co

[Monkey321 in reply to Linlang]

I doubt the x ray will show anything as like you say, it's bones! The ultrasound may show up baker's cysts etc but as my Dr said, not a lot that can be done other than cortisone shots. His advice was paracetamol 4-6 hourly.

[Manihiki]

I had swelling in one ankle and asked my rheumatologist what was causing it and he said that I had had a baker’s cyst in the knee above which had leaked. That was just after I was diagnosed with GCA. Interesting because I don’t know if there is any connection between the two things.

[Monkey321 in reply to Manihiki]

Gosh, what a pain. I hope you got that sorted. I think ftom my understanding that baker's cysts are "common" in autoimmune conditions.

[Linlang in reply to Monkey321]

I wish you well.

[Monkey321]

Update: had ultrasound this afternoon and my right leg has got a small baker's cysts. Radiologist said there's fluid around the area and looks like the cyst is or has decreased. Still awaiting x ray results.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Monkey321]

Thanks for update -let us know on X-ray please

[Monkey321]

Update: my knee x ray showed osteoarthritis and ultrasound small baker's cyst and built up synovial fluid. My DR is going to refer me for a DEXA scan. Finally, we may be getting to a proper diagnosis.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Monkey321]

Moving forward slowly , but at least moving…😊