Therapy
Whether or which treatment is necessary for a bump on the knee is determined by the cause. Bumps resulting from a violent impact or accident should be regularly cooled and stored high. In addition, it is important to protect the knee joint as far as possible until the bump has subsided and the complaints no longer exist.
As a further supporting measure, an ointment bandage can be applied overnight, for example with arnica ointment. In addition, short-term anti-inflammatory and analgesic tablets can be prescribed by the doctor. If the cause of the bump is an inflammation in the knee joint, the above-mentioned measures are often also sufficient for a successful therapy.
Thus, a simple bursitis can heal in many cases without extensive treatment. If necessary, however, therapy with an antibiotic for a few days is also indicated. In the case of an inflammation of the knee joint caused by bacteria with severe effusion, in some cases a hollow needle must be inserted into the joint with a hollow needle under local anaesthetic to relieve the pressure on the joint.
If there is a repeated occurrence of bursitis of the knee, the affected bursa may have to be removed by a minor surgical procedure. Also in the case of a Baker’s cyst, surgical removal of the bump in the hollow of the knee may be necessary if it causes severe discomfort or if it has burst. In most cases, however, this does not require an intervention and symptomatic treatment can be carried out by cooling and relieving the symptoms.
How long has a bump in the knee existed?
The length of time a bump on the knee lasts mainly depends on the cause. If the bump was the result of an injury or accident, the bump usually goes away within a few days. If the joint is protected, regularly elevated and cooled, the bump can subside more quickly.
However, if the bump does not get smaller or even bigger even after several days, a doctor should be consulted early on. This may result in an injury to tendons, ligaments or a meniscus. The duration of a bump caused by a bulge in the joint capsule (Baker cyst) varies greatly.
In some patients it disappears by itself after a few days, in others it remains for life or until surgical treatment. A bump due to an inflammation, for example of a bursa, usually disappears within a few days if the patient receives appropriate treatment. However, inflammation of the knee joint can also lead to a delayed course with recurring deterioration, so that the duration of the bump can be several weeks or even months.
- Dent under the skin
- Symptoms of a Baker cyst
- Swelling of the knee joint
- Ligament injury in the knee joint
