Bakers Cyst - Update | Arthritis Information

 

Just come back from the ortho and it looks like the Baker's are the result of RA only.
Xrays show only age appropriate wear and are in very good shape.
I was a bit surprised because I have done a lot of crawling around on concrete floors during the past 30+ years working in the housing industry.

I have to have an MRI just to rule out any other causes.

Treatment plan is looking like draining the cyst's and a shot of steroids.
Long term plan is to repeat if and when they become a problem again.
Bodak2010-03-02 01:06:43That's good news  Here's hoping the the MRI looks good and that the treatment plan goes well! 

hope it works.....  I've had them drained and all was fine too.

but how long did you  have this and await treatment?
Good Luck with the treatment! [QUOTE=babs10]hope it works.....  I've had them drained and all was fine too.

but how long did you  have this and await treatment?
[/QUOTE]
Two&half years
[QUOTE=Bodak] [QUOTE=babs10]hope it works.....  I've had them drained and all was fine too.

but how long did you  have this and await treatment?
[/QUOTE]
Two&half years
[/QUOTE]

I am truly not trying to start trouble... but this is beyond my comprehension.

Why did you have to wait 2 1/2 years to have this addressed?  and damn! those things are irritating to say the least......sorry you had that difficulty unaddressed for so long.
A lot of services are covered under medicare, ortho's are not.
If you have private health insurance or you have the money to pay outright then you have no problem .
I do not have private or the money .

Even my doctor said, "Not bad, only had to wait 2 & half years, what a joke"
My doctor refuses to treat a baker's cyst. Says it can just make it worse. Unless you are just dying to have something done to them, if you leave them alone, they'll go away on their own.I have one right now.. on my left wrist.... It rarely bothers me..and I've had it before..... it had gone away on it's own.... but having one behind the knee is really uncomfortable..and when I had that.. my ortho drained it....it never has returned *knock knock*    What does a Baker's cyst look like?a swelling behind the knee.I've had them when I was flaring but once I went into remission or close to it they disappeared.  They're painful and can be treated.  Hope that draining and injection works for you, it should.  Lindy[QUOTE=Bodak]A lot of services are covered under medicare, ortho's are not.
[/QUOTE] Stephen, when you wrote "medicare" you're talking about Australia's equivalent to US Medicare, right?

Thank you, IW. I also googled and it pulled up a couple of pictures. I asked because DH had some funky thing show up behind his knee after having pain with walking and straightening his leg. I think it may have been one of those things rupturing? He complained for a day and I haven't heard anything since.

Hope you heal quickly, Stephen! *hugs*

Just a little update.

I have had the MRI on one of the knees and it has been decided to leave the cyst alone for the time being.
It is one of those things that rise and fall as the Ra does.
If things get to bad then I go to the local GP who should be able to drain it.

The news that rocked me was the way he looked me in the eye and said that I will need a knee replacement.
He said that this could be within the next six months .................(long pause).............................. or many years from now.
Without batting an eye lid he continued on to say that the RA is doing it's thing and it's vitally important that I keep it under control as much as possible.

He mentioned that the RA is eating into the outer white surface of the bone which the MRI clearly shows.
Must admit, I was still trying to come to grips with his early as six months bit and did not fully understand all of his 3 minute consultation.

What flawed me a little was that I have counted myself as lucky with the RA being controlled to the extent it is.
I am able to move around without to much discomfort (I can cope) with only occasional trouble.
I'm not anywhere near what I was but I manage if you know what I mean. I am over the top needing knee replacements, Stephen. But I've been carrying on -- have a dear friend of the feline variety, who needs medicine twice a day and I wouldn't be able to administer if I were laid up in the hospital. I have gained some time by losing weight I badly needed to lose. I try not to aggravate the knees -- and they cooperate by going on day-by-day.I've had baker cyst numerous times over the years and never had them drained before. Many times they've just gone away on their own other times a short of cortisone has helped. Hi Stephen, I'm really sorry to hear about your knees.  This is exactly what happened to me and I've had one replacement (the best thing I've ever done) and need the other replaced.  Am putting it off for at least another year if possible.  Talk to your doctor about Synvisc injections.  Google and get all the info you can.  They've saved me from having immediate knee replacements by about 2 years.  It's a super lubricant that's injected into the area of your knee where the cartlege has worn.  It's kept me going.  LindySorry to hear about the knees Stephen what a shock. Just when you think things are going well. I hope your RD will listen to the ortho and get your RA under better control. Wishing you the best.Stephen I had Baker's Cysts while my knees were flaring years ago before I had them replaced.  They didn't actually do anything about the cysts when I had the knees replaced but with the reduced inflammation in the area gone, I haven't had any trouble with them since.

I know it's a big shock to be told you need a replacement...I was told there was no option and had my first replacement 3 weeks later.  12 months later for the other one.  That was 9 years ago.  Haven't looked back since.

In the last 2 years I have had a trochanteric bursitis removed from my left hip (a really big bursa removed), a spinal fusion at C4/5 and 12 months ago a total hip replacement of my right hip.  After each surgery I have not looked back.   My hip was done about 7 weeks after I smashed all the cartilage when I tripped one day. 

 My worst problem now is still my hands and wrists.  No surgery for those yet.  I have declared a surgery free year for 2010.

All the best  while you wait for surgery (or avoid it for a while).
Thanks to all those that have input their comments regarding this subject.....
Since I last wrote the cysts have declined to the point of having very little discomfort.

Of coarse RAD being RAD, it just up and moves to other areas like the hips now.
Stephen, good news!  I am glad to hear they are better and I hope that it continues for a good, long while!  I am sorry your hips are giving you issues...
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