Hygroma of the knee joint: causes, symptoms, treatment

Hygroma of the knee joint is a benign neoplasm that appears due to the accumulation of serous fluid and mucus in the joint cavities.

In the early stages of development, the hygroma is small in size; at this time it is very difficult to diagnose the disease, since pain may be completely absent or appear only with pressure. For this reason, this disease is often diagnosed late, which wastes time and, therefore, makes it much more difficult to cure.

Who is diagnosed with the disease more often by doctors?

Doctors detect this pathology in workers of the following professions: loaders, postmen, teachers. Cases of development of pathology in women are more common. Hygroma of the knee joint in children is often caused by a knee injury.

Often the disease in question manifests itself with the development of an existing joint disease (deforming type of arthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis ). Hygroma of the knee joint can develop in children and adults under the influence of various factors ( arthrosis , increased loads on the joint). Therefore, experts draw attention to the fact that people should be more attentive to their health.

Causes

Hygroma is quite often found in people involved in professional sports. It also occurs in those who spend a lot of time on their feet due to the type of activity. Typically, this pathology manifests itself in adults, but it can also develop in children.

The main signs of a cyst in the knee joint area are:

• Knee injuries;
• heredity;
• complications that may occur with gonarthrosis or other pathologies of the musculoskeletal system;
• constant strong tension experienced by the joints of the knees;
• thinning of the capsule of the connection, which is pathological.

Any of the above reasons can become a reason for the formation of a benign tumor in the knee area.

What is a Becker's cyst?

Hygroma (synovial cyst, tendon ganglion) is a subcutaneous compaction formed from the synovial membrane of tendons or joints, filled with a viscous mass consisting of fibrins and mucus. If the tumor occurs in the popliteal fossa, it is called a Becker cyst. Characteristics of synovial cyst:

• round, elongated or irregular shape;
• different diameters - from 0.5 to 10 cm);
• soft consistency, thickening over time;
• it does not hurt until it begins to limit the movement of the joint and put pressure on the nearest nerves and blood vessels;
• single-chamber (usually) or multi-chamber (sometimes);
• on one side it is attached to a tendon, joint, tissue, and is therefore inactive;
• clearly differentiated from the skin;
• aesthetically unsightly.

Characteristic symptoms

In approximately 70% of cases, cystic tumors arise in the area of ​​the extensor surfaces of the joints. They can also be located on flexural surfaces. In any case, the patient will suffer from discomfort. There is a limitation in the range of motion. Pain bothers the patient every time the painful area is injured.

Disease in children

Hygroma of the knee joint in children develops as gradually as in adult patients. Initially, a small tumor forms in the knee area. It is quite easy to feel under the skin. Such formation can be single or multiple.

Hygroma size

The neoplasm gradually grows, its size reaches 2–3 cm. When the cyst connects with the tendon sheath, the cavity of the junction, it may disappear for a certain period. Patients think that the pathology has resolved and gone away on its own. But after a certain period of time (months, years), the formation appears again in the old place.

It is easy to recognize a developing hygroma by the following signs:

1. No painful formation;
2. Formation shape is oval, round. It can reach 3 – 5 cm;
3. slight displacement of the skin on top of the hygroma;
4. the consistency of the formation is pliable, elastic, soft;
5. smooth surface of the neoplasm;
6. no signs of general malaise;
7. localization of hygroma in the area of ​​the anterior surface of the joint, inside the popliteal fossa;
8. inactivity of the formation. It is fixed to the joint shell.

Usually the signs of pathology appear quite clearly. Therefore, everyone can detect them without much difficulty. After detecting the slightest symptoms indicating a neoplasm, you need to consult a doctor. The specialist will carry out all the necessary diagnostic measures and select the appropriate type of therapy.

Clinical picture

Often a person is not aware of the presence of a hygroma in the knee joint: the compaction does not cause any inconvenience other than an aesthetic one. Hygroma is not capable of degenerating into a malignant tumor, but there is a possibility of it increasing in size up to 6 cm in diameter. In this case, the asymptomatic course is replaced by a clinical picture of inflammation.

The first sign of pathology is the formation of a small localized tumor, clearly visible under the skin. In most cases, only one hygroma is formed, but sometimes a person is diagnosed with several lumps in different joints. Unlike synovitis, bursitis, and malignant neoplasms, hygroma has clear boundaries.

It can be soft, elastic or hard. The seal is not interconnected with the epidermis, so upon palpation the skin easily moves. As the disease progresses, patients complain of the following symptoms:

• pain and discomfort that occurs when trying to bend and straighten the knee;
• decreased range of motion in the joint;
• increase in pain intensity with increased physical activity;
• irradiation of pain to the ankle area after physical activity.

The severity of pain depends on the location of the hygroma and its size. As the compaction increases, it begins to irritate sensitive nerve endings and compress muscle fibers. Therefore, as the pathology progresses, the pain gradually intensifies.

Usually the condition of the skin over the lump does not change. But people with dry, irritation-prone epidermis may experience flaking. The skin becomes rough, red, and cracks. Another feature of hygroma is that after increased physical activity it increases, and after a few hours its size decreases.

Diagnostic measures

If there is a suspicion that the pathology in question has developed in an adult or child, an examination in a clinic is required. Research will help in making an accurate diagnosis.

At the very beginning, the surgeon examines the person seeking help. At the same time, he studies the anamnesis. The data obtained already make it possible to make a preliminary diagnosis. To confirm or refute it, the doctor refers the patient to a number of additional diagnostic measures:

• Radiography. This diagnostic method is prescribed in most cases;
• ultrasonography. This diagnostic method is considered very informative. It allows for a complete examination of the tumor. The doctor can evaluate the structure of the hygroma;
• Magnetic resonance imaging. This diagnostic method is necessary when the doctor suspects a nodular structure of the formation. Diagnostics makes it possible to accurately determine the contents of the tumor;
• neoplasm puncture.

Differential diagnosis of the pathology in question may also be necessary. The doctor may prescribe a differential diagnosis with other benign tumors, as well as with tumor-like formations of soft tissue:

1. Traumatic cysts (epithelial);
2. atheromas;
3. lipomas.

After the doctor examines the results of all the studies performed, he selects the appropriate method of therapy.

Treatment

To begin treatment of the pathology in question, you should contact the following specialists: surgeons, traumatologists, orthopedists. After conservative therapy, relapses are possible in 80–90%. After surgery, hygroma in the knee area reappears in 8–20%.

If hygroma occurs due to other pathologies of joints ( arthrosis , arthritis ), treatment should include elimination of the underlying disease. This is necessary to prevent relapses.

Elimination of hygroma

To eliminate hygroma, a variety of therapy methods are usually used. To reduce the size of the formation, any of the following methods can be used:

• Puncture;
• physiotherapeutic procedures;
• surgical intervention;
• folk remedies.

Hygroma of the knee joint can be treated without surgery or through surgery to remove the tumor. The second method is usually used in the most advanced cases.

Treatment with antibiotics

In the presence of an inflammatory process, antibiotic therapy is mandatory. In most cases, the patient undergoes a puncture. The procedure is performed in this way: special needles are inserted into the cavity of the tumor, and medications with an anti-inflammatory effect are administered through them.

The best way to treat

The following is considered an effective way to treat hygroma of the knee joint without surgery. Crushing the hygroma. It is carried out at the time of performing the diagnostic procedure. This method is considered quite painful. Accordingly, it is rarely used in practice. Medications that have a sclerosing effect can be administered inside the formation. After the walls of the cavity stick together, the tumor is eliminated.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

Treatment of the tumor should be carried out comprehensively. This is the only way to achieve the most positive effect. The following physiotherapeutic procedures have a good effect on the affected area with hygroma:

1. UHF;
2. mud applications;
3. applications using paraffin;
4. electrophoresis.

Operation

When treatment of hygroma of the knee joint without surgery does not give the desired effect, surgical types of therapy are used. Surgery for hygroma is prescribed due to the likelihood of complications. The tumor is benign in nature, reaching a certain size, and puts pressure on the nerves and blood vessels. In this case, the blood supply to the affected area deteriorates, and various complications are possible.

Therapy without surgery

Sometimes after non-surgical therapy, there are no results. In such cases, surgery is necessary. For hygroma of the knee joint, surgery is prescribed by specialists only if there are certain indications:

• Rapid growth of formation;
• the size of the tumor is too large;
• the presence of pain that cannot be tolerated.

For hygroma of the knee joint, surgery is performed using one of the following methods:

1. Bursectomy. The surgeon makes the incision using a scalpel. Through the created access, he deletes the formation. The efficiency of this method is quite high. This is explained by the fact that at the same time the specialist removes the tumor and its base. But there is a minus. This is a complex rehabilitation, because it will require measures aimed at healing the wound;
2. laser therapy. A special feature of this method is the evaporation of the formation using laser beams. In this case, the patient does not need rehabilitation. This method is often used because of its safety. Laser therapy can be used to treat a wide range of patients. There are no scars after the procedure.
3. Any surgical intervention is performed using anesthesia. After removing the hygroma, a fixing bandage is applied to the knee area. An orthosis may be used. This device is necessary to immobilize the joint and speed up the rehabilitation process.
4. The use of endoscopic excision of the cyst is considered effective. This approach significantly reduces the rehabilitation period.

How does it manifest?

Symptoms of popliteal fossa hygroma:

• increase in diameter (gradual or sudden);
• thickening consistency;
• dull chronic or sharp periodic pain;
• roughness, roughness or hyperemia of the skin over the tumor;
• inflammation of the tumor or surrounding tissues;
• tingling, numbness, increased sensitivity, burning due to effects on nerves and blood vessels;
• inflammation of the knee joint;
• limitation of motor function;
• discomfort when walking, bending and straightening the knee;
• weakness of the calf muscles;
• purulent inflammation;
• partial paralysis of movement;
• lameness;
• popliteal vein thrombosis;
• aesthetic defect.

In children, hygromas of the popliteal fossa occur due to excessive activity before the age of 10 years.

Surgical treatment

It is the surgical type of treatment that doctors prefer for hygroma. This approach helps prevent relapses of the pathology.

Children

In children, treatment of tumors in the knee joint area is carried out in the same way as in older patients. A special feature is the operation performed under general anesthesia (this applies to patients under 10 years of age).

Laser surgery

If a child requires laser surgery, local anesthesia may be used (local anesthesia is acceptable from 7 years of age). This method is preferred due to the shorter rehabilitation period. The functions of the joint are completely restored after rehabilitation.

Physiotherapy

At the time of rehabilitation, exercise therapy is used. Exercises help strengthen tendons and muscle fibers. This reduces the load on the joint. Prevents the development of pathologies of the joint, bursa, and other tissues.

Why is it formed?

A Becker cyst often occurs without any reason and initially has no symptoms.

Injuries, loads, and anatomical features can provoke hygroma of the popliteal fossa.

Traditional methods

Traditional methods of therapy are often used for single-chamber hygroma. With multiple forms of pathology, the use of recipes from the people is dangerous due to the growth of education. For the treatment of the pathology in question, the following folk remedies are used:

• Baths;
• compresses;
• lotions.

There are many safe, effective traditional medicines.

Honey + aloe (compress)

More often people use products made from honey and aloe. These components are taken in equal parts and mixed. Rye flour is added to the finished mass. A cake is formed from the formed mass, which is then applied to the formation in the evening. In order for the therapeutic effect to be more pronounced, you should cover the knee with polyethylene and wrap a warm cloth over it. Remove the application in the morning. This should be done until the cyst disappears.

Cabbage juice

It is taken orally. The juice should only be freshly squeezed. It should be taken before meals. You should drink 200 ml per day. juice

Cabbage leaf + honey (compress)

In the evening you can apply compresses. Use a whole sheet. A small amount of honey is placed on it. The sheet is applied to the affected area. To fix the sheet, use a tight bandage. The compress should be removed in the morning.

Alcohol lotions

This method is often used for hygroma. The patient should apply natural fabric and gauze to the painful area at night (they are moistened with alcohol in advance). After establishing an alcohol compress, wrap the knee with a warm cloth.