Treatment of a ruptured Baker’s cyst
A Baker’s cyst usually causes severe pain in the affected patients. This pain symptomatology is significantly increased when the knee joint is strained. For this reason, the mobility as well as the functionality of the knee joint of patients suffering from a Baker’s cyst is often severely limited.
A Baker’s cyst usually bursts rather rarely. However, patients who have this type of knee joint cyst burst often experience an increase in perceived pain. A ruptured Baker’s cyst can cause synovial fluid to enter the surrounding tissue.
This causes a shift in the symptoms of the affected patients. In such cases, the pain caused by the Baker’s cyst can radiate into the calf. In addition, a Baker’s cyst that has ruptured often causes significant swelling in the areas surrounding the knee joint.
Many patients who have a ruptured Baker’s cyst also report feeling cold water running down the lower leg. In the area of the epidermis, redness can be seen in many cases. The symptoms of a Baker’s cyst that has burst are similar to those of a blood clot in the veins of the leg.
In addition, a sudden increase in the actually restricted range of motion may be an indication that the cyst may have burst. Patients suffering from a Baker’s cyst and suddenly discovering redness and swelling in the calf area should urgently consult a specialist as soon as possible. If a Baker’s cyst has burst, appropriate treatment should be initiated immediately. Failure to see a doctor promptly may lead to serious complications.
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