Symptoms of Becker's cyst in children and adults, treatment
A Becker cyst is a popliteal sac distended by excess fluid. The bag itself is a normal anatomical structure. Becker's cyst is also called popliteal fossa hernia.
Definition, causes of occurrence
How to treat Becker cyst? To understand the tactics of treatment, it is necessary to know what it is.
The intertendon bag on the back surface of the joint normally does not manifest itself in any way. If any pathology develops in this area, it can cause the appearance of a large amount of fluid in the intertendon bag.
In itself, the tendon bag is a closed space. The liquid that accumulates in it has no way out. Some of this liquid can be absorbed by the cells that line the inner surface of the intertendon bag, but their absorption capacity is not so pronounced as to absorb all the accumulated liquid - because of this, it gradually accumulates in the cavity of the bag. When the natural space of the bag becomes insufficient to accumulate such biological secretions, they begin to press on the walls of the bag, which stretch, the bag increases in size and begins to bulge in the popliteal fossa. The sizes of Becker's cyst can be different - its length can reach 5 cm or more.
The clinical picture appears when the tendon bag increases to a certain size or presses on neighboring structures - in particular, on blood vessels and nerve fibers.
The most common cause of Becker's cyst is a disease:
- metabolic-dystrophic - in particular diseases of the menisci or their changes after an injury;
- inflammatory - for example, with rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms of Becker's cyst in children and adults
The space of the intertendinous bag is sufficient for the accumulation of fluid for a certain time, then the clinical picture is absent or there are unexpressed unpleasant sensations associated with the irritation of the bag partially filled with fluid.
Symptoms develop mainly when nerve structures are compressed by an enlarged bag (it can already be identified as a Becker cyst). At the same time, the following symptoms of Becker's cyst occur in children and adults:
- pains;
- impossibility to fully bend the knee joint - physical exercises with Becker's cyst are difficult;
- tingling;
- sensation of numbness in the soft tissues of the sole.
Diagnostics
What to do with pain in the area of the cyst under the knee? It is necessary to consult a doctor who will diagnose and prescribe treatment.
A Becker cyst is detected during a physical examination. His data:
- on examination - a tumor-like formation is visualized in the popliteal fossa;
- on palpation (feeling) - to the touch, the formation is elastic and dense, it can be painful.
In most cases, additional research methods are not required to detect a Becker cyst. They are carried out in difficult cases or to clarify the details of the disease.
Instrumental methods of research are used:
- puncture of a cyst - piercing its wall with a needle, while it is possible to suck out the liquid contents of the cyst;
- ultrasound examination of the knee joint (ultrasound) - allows you to detect a cyst in the early stages of its development.
From the laboratory methods of research, the following are used:
- general blood test - with inflammation of Becker's cyst, the number of leukocytes and ESR increases;
- microscopic examination of a punctate cyst - it turns out to be a serous fluid.
Which doctor should I see about Becker's cyst? A traumatologist-orthopedic deals with such patients.
Complications
This disease can be accompanied by complications:
- rupture of Becker's cyst;
- phlebitis – inflammation of the venous walls, which occurs when the cyst compresses the venous vessels;
- thrombus formation - develops due to disruption of blood flow through vessels compressed by Becker's cyst;
- thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery – its blockage by a thrombus that has broken off, and before that was initially formed in a vessel compressed by Becker's cyst.
Treatment of Becker's cyst
Becker's cyst is treated with conservative and operative methods.Conservative treatment of Becker's cyst:
- healing cyst puncture;
- treatment of the main disease that provoked the appearance of Becker's cyst.
During a therapeutic puncture, the following are performed:
- suction of cyst contents;
- introduction of corticosteroid drugs into her cavity.
Indications for surgery to remove a Becker cyst:
- large sizes;
- compression of nerve structures and blood vessels;
- restriction of knee joint functions;
- lack of effect during conservative treatment.
During the operation, a small soft tissue incision is made over the cyst, the cyst is separated from the tissues, its neck is bandaged, and the cyst is cut off.
On our site Dobrobut.com, you will learn more about how to cure Becker's cyst in a child.
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