How to recognize a knee tumor yourself?
There are many reasons for the formation of a tumor under the knee, but regardless of them, a person can immediately detect the pathology, since there is an enlargement of the knee joint, which interferes with walking. In order to confirm violations, a comparison of both legs can be made.
If a swelling has formed under the knee, you should immediately contact a specialist who, after identifying the cause of this condition, will select a high-quality treatment regimen.
Causes of swelling
The most common cause of swelling under the knee is considered to be regular exercise that affects the lower extremities. This is why doctors prohibit doing a lot of squats.
But there are other causes of swelling under the knee:
- congenital ligament defect and knee injury;
- inflammatory processes in the body;
- Baker's cyst;
- Hoff's disease;
- osteoporosis, which causes bone fractures.
In all these cases, swelling is accompanied by pain and an increase in the size of the knee joint.
Causes of swelling under the knee
A tumor behind the knee appears due to various factors. Most often the symptom occurs due to the following pathologies:
- injuries,
- acute inflammatory process in a joint or muscle,
- destructive changes in the elements of the articular joint,
- impaired blood circulation and lymphatic drainage,
- peripheral nerve diseases.
The amount of intervention depends on the nature of the process. Patients who seek medical help on time are most successfully treated.
Pathologies of joint capsules
Inflammation in the joint lining leads to excess production of synovial fluid. The pathological process is called “Baker's cyst”. The tumor behind the knee is palpated as a soft mass.
The disease manifests itself as a violation of motor function: flexion and extension of the knee is difficult. The pain spreads from the knee to the calf muscle and down the foot, often accompanied by numbness. The painless form becomes the reason for seeking medical help in the later stages.
Swelling may appear due to inflammation of the lymph nodes, which increase in size due to exposure to the infectious agent.
Meniscal cysts
The meniscus is a formation of cartilage tissue that ensures optimal mobility of the knee. Injury or degenerative processes cause the formation of a cyst (a cavity inside the cartilage that is filled with fluid
The formation provokes pain while walking. The tumor first appears in the lateral part of the joint (external or internal), and then spreads to the posterior or anterior surface. The growth of the cyst can cause swelling to spread beyond the joint.
Young people who engage in intense sports are at increased risk. In these cases, the disease does not receive due attention, and the process progresses.
A neglected cyst can cause arthrosis with deformation.
Hoff's disease
The knee is surrounded not only by the joint membrane, but also by muscles, ligaments and subcutaneous fatty tissue. Hormonal and dystrophic changes provoke the destruction of adipose tissue. The disease is steadily progressing, the patient complains of a formation under the knee, which is swollen and painful.
The swelling at the back of the knee has a dense consistency, the pain is characterized as nagging. The pain syndrome is localized mainly on the inner surface of the articular joint. Movements are difficult, activity increases discomfort.
Symptoms of the disease
Regardless of the reason that caused the swelling under the knee, the pathology is accompanied by sharp painful sensations. Pain can occur during normal activities: when doing exercises, during sleep or at rest. It can be either weak or strong, it all depends on the cause of the pathology and the stage of its development.
Because of a Baker's cyst, there is difficulty bending the knee, and as the tumor grows, the pain increases. If you consult a doctor at the initial stages of the formation of pathology, then it will be enough to take analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. If treatment is delayed, then surgical intervention cannot be avoided.
The symptoms of Hoffa's disease are the same as those of Baker's cyst, however, there is one significant difference. The pain does not increase, but remains in its original state, the painful sensations can be nagging in nature, and in some situations, disappear altogether. In this variant, the tumor resembles a large lump, so it is quite difficult to confuse the diseases. The swelling is quite dense to the touch.
Symptoms of education
The main symptom that unites all causes of swelling under the knee is external swelling. Its localization and severity vary. Sometimes it appears after severe stress on the limb.
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The manifestation of symptoms depends on the underlying disease, type of injury, and severity of injury. Swelling is accompanied by pain of varying strength, constant or periodic, occurring at different times. It can appear at rest, during sleep or movement. There is limited motor function in the joint. Each case has its own distinctive features.
A Baker's cyst appears in the popliteal fossa and limits the flexion of the limb. Pain appears with the growth of the tumor, which causes stiffness of movement and becomes constant. Intensifies with load on the legs. Large tumors put pressure on blood vessels, lymph nodes, and nerve endings, causing extensive swelling of the extremities.
The first stage of development of a meniscus cyst is characterized by slight limitation of movement, slight pain during exercise, and its absence at rest. In the second stage, limited swelling and persistent pain appear. On the third, a dense protruding neoplasm has formed, acute pain, and movement in the joint is very limited.
Symptoms of Hoffa's disease are similar to meniscal cysts. The swelling is denser to the touch than swelling of other origins and is located under the cup. Feeling of persistent nagging pain. Damage to soft tissues manifests itself with similar symptoms. The shape of the tumor resembles a lump.
Inflammation of the tibial nerve is expressed by severe pain, which gradually descends. Swelling develops from behind. The patient cannot lean on his toes.
A popliteal artery aneurysm is characterized by throbbing pain. The protrusion is confused with a Baker's cyst, but when palpated, a pulsation is felt in the back of the knee. Ulceration of the toes appears.
Popliteal vein thrombosis is characterized by swelling under the knee and a cold limb. The pain appears over time and is immediately severe. It is impossible to bend the leg.
Baker's cyst
The growth of the tumor causes an increase in symptoms. A large tumor can cause swelling under the knee, not only in front, but around the entire joint. Pressure on the nerve endings leads to numbness in the toes.
Baker's cyst responds quite well to treatment if it is not advanced. Using puncture, exudate is sucked out from the tumor. The procedure is performed by a doctor. After the puncture, anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
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Fluid may build up again. If the tumor continues to grow and is not treated, it may rupture.
Meniscus cyst
When the cause of a tumor under the knee is identified, a meniscus cyst is often diagnosed. This is a hollow neoplasm in the thickness of the cartilaginous tissue of the meniscus, filled with mucous fluid. Professional athletes who constantly overload the organ of movement often suffer from such ailments.
Tumor of the lateral meniscus is more common. It is large and located on the outside of the joint. Often a tumor causes a meniscus tear. It is easily palpable, denser than Baker's cyst, and does not hide when the leg is bent. A meniscus cyst develops in three stages with increasing manifestations.
Hoff's disease
Chronic inflammatory damage to the fatty bodies in the joint, which perform a shock-absorbing function, is called Hoffa's disease. It is difficult to diagnose and lasts a long time. Swelling under the knee and pain manifests itself in the front of the cup.
Gradually, adipose tissue grows into connective tissue and is replaced by it. Symptoms similar to a meniscus tumor appear. Additional pain and swelling behind the knee is a sign of damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
The tumor may be insignificant at the beginning of the development of pathology. An undetected disease can easily develop into arthritis and arthrosis.
Soft tissue injuries
The ethological factor in the occurrence of swelling and pain behind the knee can be damage to soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles. They strengthen the joint and provide movement in it. It is fixed from the side and behind and protected from dislocation of the semimembranosus, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus tendons.
Often an injury to the knee joint leads to a sprain and, less often, to a ligament rupture. In addition to pain and swelling, this causes restriction of movement, sometimes redness, and increased temperature at the site of the lesion.
If the muscles are damaged, their spasm, numbness of the knee and adjacent areas of the limb appear. Inflammatory diseases also reduce the strength of the tendon's connective tissue and promote stretching and pinching.
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Diseases of nerve fibers and blood vessels
The symptom of swelling of the joint behind the knee appears with pathologies of blood vessels and nerves. Inflammation of the tibial nerve under the knee is characterized by acute pain radiating to the foot.
This disease can occur only with pronounced signs of weakening of the muscles of the lower leg and foot, decreased sensitivity of the lower leg, sole and toes. In this case, movement is difficult; the patient only stands on his heel.
Atherosclerotic vascular lesions or trauma cause the formation of a popliteal artery aneurysm. This leads to anemia of the tissue below the knee, gradual death and gangrene.
Popliteal vein thrombosis is also a vascular disorder that causes swelling under the knee. Rarely seen. A formed blood clot can break off, enter the pulmonary artery and block it. This is the danger of the disease.
When is the best time to see your doctor?
When the first symptoms of a tumor appear, you should immediately go to the clinic to determine the possible causes. There are a number of situations where delaying a trip to the doctor can provoke the development of serious complications:
- the pain does not go away within five days;
- when fever occurs and pain increases in the lower extremities;
- when discomfort occurs while walking;
- in case of rapid tumor growth;
- severe nagging pain develops, which gradually intensifies.
If swelling appears under the knee, you should consult a doctor to diagnose the cause. You should not delay if, in addition to the indicated symptoms, there is also an increase in temperature.
Stages of disease diagnosis
Before the doctor selects a suitable treatment for the patient, the latter must go through several stages of diagnosing the cause of the pathology:
- Visual examination of the patient by a specialist. The doctor will review the patient’s general condition and prescribe the necessary diagnostic procedures. At this stage, the specialist may prescribe painkillers.
- The type of professional activity is clarified. Human work can cause pathology, since during physical activity the lower limbs are often injured.
- Swelling under the knee on the inside can manifest itself in different ways, so the specialist needs to identify the strength of the patient’s pain at the initial stage.
- The quality of knee flexion and extension is analyzed. In this way, the doctor can determine the level of pain.
- The necessary tests and procedures are prescribed to make a diagnosis.
Education Research
After a visual examination, the doctor can only assume the presence of one or another diagnosis, but an accurate determination of the cause of the pathology is impossible. That is why, if there is swelling and pain under the knee, it is necessary to undergo a series of studies to detect the causes of the disease.
Diagnostic procedures that must be performed in the presence of a tumor in the knee area include the following:
- X-ray;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- Ultrasound;
- puncture of the cyst with possible tests and their examination.
After completing the procedures, you will need to wait for the results to be deciphered and go with them to your doctor. After reviewing the results of the study, the doctor can make a diagnosis. After identifying the cause that triggered the development of the pathology, the doctor can select a suitable treatment regimen.
Diagnostics
Correct and timely diagnosis ensures success in treatment. After a detailed analysis of anamnestic data and a clinical examination, it is necessary to prescribe the following examination methods:
- radiography,
- arthrography,
- Ultrasound,
- CT scan,
- MRI,
- scintigraphy (nucleic radioisotopes are used).
A knee puncture is necessary if an infectious process is suspected to determine the pathogen.
In order to obtain complete information about the condition of the body, clinical tests of blood and urine are collected, and a biochemical study is carried out to determine rheumatic tests.
Treatment of swelling
Treatment of the pathology will vary depending on the cause that provoked its development. But there are a number of factors that are included in the treatment regimen for swelling under the knee, regardless of the cause:
- it is necessary to limit movements to the maximum, preferably, provide the patient with bed rest;
- if the swelling under the knee is accompanied by slight swelling, then treatment can only consist of the use of special ointments;
- after identifying the cause of tumor formation, special medications are prescribed to reduce pain and swelling;
- if the condition worsens, a puncture of the knee is performed to remove the resulting fluid:
- If therapy is delayed for a long time, doctors prescribe surgery.
After getting rid of the swelling, a massage of the knee joint is prescribed to prevent relapse.
To restore damaged tissue, improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, accelerate healing and relieve swelling, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed, including UHF and magnetic therapy.
Treatment
Getting rid of a tumor from behind takes on a different character. A common feature of a number of treatment systems is early diagnosis associated with successful early treatment. For example, if a patient is diagnosed with a Baker's cyst, it is enough to perform a puncture to pump out excess synovial fluid from the joint. Then a medicinal drug is injected, and an elastic bandage tied below is applied to the knee.
The best treatment is considered to be complex: various procedures (including physiological) are combined with taking medications and using folk remedies (if desired). If the patient has knee pain or a small tumor has formed, anti-inflammatory drugs should be prescribed.
Treatment necessarily includes physical exercises, which are regulated by the attending physician. The leg never stops moving, but therapeutic exercises are aimed at warming up the leg, trying to return the limbs to full motor functionality.
Surgical intervention is performed when the disease is severely advanced and begins to spread throughout the limb. It is better not to delay contacting a doctor.
Anterior knee injury
Swelling under the knee in front can be detected visually. You just need to look at the other leg and compare their condition. The swelling forms in the form of a lump.
To obtain more detailed information about the tumor, it is necessary to undergo diagnostic procedures consisting of ultrasound, MRI, and biopsy. Only after receiving the results of the study can the cause that triggered the development of this condition be identified.
When a swelling appears under the knee at the back, a person feels some discomfort while walking. When a tumor forms in the front, pain may not develop, and the swelling does not bring any discomfort to the person.
However, even if the tumor does not manifest itself in any way, after its detection you should immediately consult a doctor, since a gradual increase in the size of the tumor may lead to surgical intervention.
Prevention
It is much easier to prevent swelling in the knee area than to cure it, which is why you should not forget about preventive measures. In addition, after treatment for the pathology, it is necessary to carefully monitor your own health in order to prevent the development of relapse.
If swelling and pain occur under the knee at the back, then medications in the form of tablets and pain-soothing ointments are prescribed as therapy. You can avoid taking these medications if, as a preventive measure, you massage your feet daily. To maintain the health of the knee joint, it is necessary to engage in special physical exercise, which is also prescribed by the attending physician.
Physical activity prescribed by a specialist must correspond to the patient’s capabilities. A bicycle is usually recommended because it forces the knee to flex and extend.
When performing physical exercises, it is recommended to use protective equipment in the form of knee pads, bandages, and braces. Excess weight places increased stress on the knee joints, so it is recommended to take measures aimed at getting rid of unnecessary pounds.
You definitely need to balance your diet. The daily menu should contain a large amount of vegetables and fruits, cereals, nuts and meat. You should try to avoid eating fried and fatty foods.
What causes the swelling
The main reason for the occurrence of a tumor behind the knee (or in front) is the nature of a person’s movements. We are talking about the load that falls on the knee joints every day. In the indicated place, four large bones are connected simultaneously, providing support to the person. The joint is regularly subjected to severe stress.
Swelling behind the knee
Among the common pathologies are:
- Injuries to the knee joint, sprained ligaments and muscles, meniscal rupture (or accumulation of fluid in it), an abundance of synovial fluid in the joint. Synovial fluid helps joints and cartilage not rub against each other. Increased friction worsens the quality of joints, spoils them, and makes them unhealthy. Synovial fluid accumulates, creating a small mass in the front or back. The pathology is called Baker's cyst.
- Muscle damage associated with simple physical activity. For example, with a sharp increase in the load on the legs, the knees can rebel. It is necessary to gradually prepare the joint when developing physical training complexes.
- Damage to the fat folds of the leg becomes a consequence of the development of arthrosis or a simple hormonal imbalance. If tendons, joint capsules and muscles are damaged, quite typical syndromes develop - stiffness in movement, swelling and tumors. The pathology can be diagnosed exclusively in the acute stage. In other cases it is easy to confuse with a cyst. Bone fracture at the knee
- Bone fractures.
- Difficulties with nerve endings or fibers, including those related to the spine. There are three types of neurological pathologies: aneurysm of the popliteal artery, thrombosis itself, or an inflamed nerve of the tibia. In these cases, treatment and symptoms vary. For example, popliteal thrombosis may not appear for a long time; if it worsens, it will cause severe pain. Drawing and throbbing pain is a signal of dissection of the artery under the knee. As for the nerves of the tibia, the pain first occurs under the kneecap, then reaches the foot. The average patient is quite capable of confusing these pains with other phenomena.
- Damage to blood vessels, in particular lymph nodes. For example, varicose veins are characterized by the formation of blood clots, the development of thrombophlebitis and thrombosis. The skin at the site of the tumor has an elevated temperature, and sometimes redness is clearly noticeable at the site of blood accumulation.
In some cases, knees become swollen not due to leg disease. The source is hidden higher - in the spine. For example, spinal nerve endings can become pinched or osteochondrosis develop. The main pain sensations arise lower due to the fact that the human skeleton is a single large system; difficulties in a certain place can cause pain in the opposite part of the body.
Consultation with a doctor
How long do you live with a knee injury?
Damage to the knee joint is not a fatal disease, since the pathology is easily treatable. However, if the disease becomes more complicated, surgery may be required, which carries with it a number of risks.
After treatment, various complications may develop, so a number of rules must be followed. At first, it is necessary to limit physical activity so as not to renew damage to the knee joint.
If the swelling reappears, difficulties may arise while walking, and if treatment is not started in a timely manner, it is possible that you may even become disabled. To get rid of the pathology, it is necessary to follow all the advice of specialists, since deciding to start treatment on your own can only cause serious complications.
