Commonly encountered by primary care physicians, usually during routine examinations\ are small to moderate sized lesions in and around the exterior of the knee. Most cysts remain benign and have an underlying cause, though some are know to be ,malignant and cause serious health risks. Therefore, patients active in sports and exercise must have timely diagnosis and treatments.
In most cases of knee deformity of this are are easily diagnosed. Bursal swellings, although have swelling and moderate irritation, are mostly less painful than the common cyst. A precise diagnosis may be easily made with the patients history and physical examination.n MRIÕs (magnetic response imaging), radiography, and ultrasonography may be necessary, but often are not needed. Though occasionally surgery may be required to acquire the diagnosis of the problem.
Popliteal cysts also known as bakerÕs cysts are the most common cyst found ion the knee. Patients with these conditions experience pain in the popliteal fossa of the knee. Symptoms may be asymnptomatic, though may experience mechanical symptoms. Maniscal cysts, encapulated-mass lesions lined with connective tissue contain synovial-like fluid causing intermittent swelling and mechanical symptoms. Ganglion cysts are coated by synovial tissue containing mucinous fluid. Pain, peroneal nerve dysfunction , tendinitis, chronic effusion, and cosmetic deformity are associated with these forms of cysts. Though bursitis is not truly cystic, inflammation similar to cysts occur. Bursa may be found on the patellar region of the knee, along with the Pes anserinus, and the lliotibial band.
Oftentimes, uncommon conditions that may mimic common benign, cysts, such as synovial chondromatosis and pigmented villonodular synovitis will be identified usually by MRI scans after conservative treatment fails. Patients who have these conditions should be referred to specialists who have experience in malignant cysts and other uncommon conditions immediately.