Blog Details

knee-pain

Meniscal Cysts: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Meniscus serves as a shock absorber, relieves stress on the knee, maintains lubrication, and provides nutrition for the joint. A meniscus cyst results from the rupture of the meniscus cartilage, usually due to a knee injury.Accumulation of synovial fluid in the damaged meniscus parenchyma causes meniscal cysts. Meniscal cysts are not life threatening; however, they can cause Inner Knee Pain and swelling as well as difficulties with knee movement. 

Cysts are not harmful alone, but are secondary to tears in the meniscus. In addition to causing discomfort, cysts can suggest that the meniscus has been torn over the joint line, which may be noticeable. Lateral knee pain is more common among young adults who are more likely to suffer from this condition. A giant cyst must be removed in order to repair a torn meniscus.

Symptoms of a Meniscal Cyst 

Cysts of the meniscus are not always symptomatic. When they do, they may include:

  • Standing causes pain in the knees 

  • Joint tenderness 

  • An enlargement of the cyst site, usually on the outside of the knee.

  • This bump may be painless, but it becomes more visible as the knee straightens.

  • Changes in bump size (although it may also appear unchanged at first glance).

  • Symptoms include pain in the affected leg, particularly when standing, as well as tenderness along the knee joint. 

  • The cyst site usually results in a firm bump on the knee's lateral (outside) aspect. As the knee is extended, the cyst may become more visible. 

  • In some cases, a bump may not be painful. Non-specific findings may include knee swelling, joint locking, or ligament damage.

  • Joint pain and swelling. 

  • Meniscal tears or knee capsule distension may cause the pain. 

  • Masses range from fluffy to stiff/hard. Depending on knee flexion/extension, meniscal cysts hillsboro vary in size. 

What Types Of Meniscal Cysts Are There?

There are two types of meniscal cysts:

  • Parameniscal Cysts

The meniscus is prone to cysts of this type. An inflammatory condition, degenerative changes, or trauma may be responsible for the formation of a parameniscal cyst.The diagnosis of parameniscal cysts is medical. 

  • Parameniscal Cysts 

It is located beyond the margins of the meniscus. Parameniscal refers to the area adjacent to the meniscus. An injury to the meniscus may result in these cysts. As a result, synovial fluid leaks from the joint space and forms a pocket outside the joint space. In some cases, parameniscal cysts can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness, although they are usually asymptomatic.

Where Are The Most Common Locations For Meniscal Cysts?

  • In 90% of all cases, the cyst is located on the lateral side of the meniscus.

  • A lateral meniscal cyst is usually anterior (front).

  • The medial meniscus contains 10% of meniscal cysts:

  • Cysts in the medial meniscus are usually posterior. 

Cause of Meniscal Tear

There are a variety of factors that may contribute to the development of this disease, including:

  • Trauma

  • Hemorrhage

  • Chronic Infection

  • Mucoid degeneration

  • A peripherally extended meniscal tear is the most common cause of meniscal cysts.

  • There is an accumulation of these cysts outside the joint capsule.

  • Most commonly, they develop along the lateral joint margin of males aged 20 to 40.

How Is A Meniscal Cyst Diagnosed?

Direct palpation over a tender medial or lateral joint line typically confirms diagnosis. An MRI confirms the diagnosis, revealing both the cyst and the meniscus tear. Knee pain Location chart helps a lot in dealing with such types of cases.

Treatment of Meniscal Cyst

Dr. Z a well-known pain doctor in Dallas may recommend different procedures according to your pain condition. Treatment for meniscal cyst Fort Worth is as follows:

  • For the treatment of small parameniscal and parameniscal cysts,according to Doctor For Knee Pain Rest, NSAIDS, rehabilitation are the first line of treatment. Study objectives include observing the patient's response to medical treatment. Patients with degenerative tears may benefit from this treatment.

  • Baker's cysts that are isolated can be successfully treated with t Aspiration and steroid injection  technique. The outcome of older patients with degenerative meniscal tears and cysts is poor. 

  • Techniques are:

  • Cyst drainage 

  • Ultrasound guided injection into the cyst

  • Inflammatory cysts of the meninges associated with a non-repairable tear (e.g., complex, degenerative, radial tears) can be treated with  operative Meniscus disc resection, cyst decompression, and arthroscopic debridement.Recurrence may result from incomplete meniscal resection. 

  • Techniques are:

  • Complete decompression of the cyst

  • Surgically remove a portion of the meniscus

  • Cyst excision using an open posterior approach is effective for cysts associated with parameniscal symptoms. There is a possibility of recurrence if the resection is incomplete.

Summary

In the knee, a meniscus cyst occurs when cartilage of the meniscus tears. The condition may result from an injury or meniscus degeneration. Cysts on the meniscus do not always cause symptoms. In such cases, the knee may become painful, have a bump on it, and swell or lock in place. There are methods to drain cysts contained within the meniscus, but they frequently recur after draining. Surgical treatment of the tear itself is the only method of permanently treating and preventing cysts from recurring.

Premier Pain Centers

Premier Pain Centers in Texas provide high-quality medical treatment to patients suffering from severe muscle pain. The organization's mission is to provide comfort and peace to its members. Through the employment of highly qualified, experienced physicians, our practice strives to provide patients with the highest quality of care. A wide range of services are provided to our patients under dr ali pain management, including interventional pain management, physical therapy, and therapy management. If you require any further information or would like to schedule an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Dr. Rao K. Ali M.D.

Dr. Rao Ali, a board-certified pain management physician, leads the clinic, which specializes in nonsurgical treatment. The physician has experience in the emergency room as well as training in pain management and rehabilitation. As a personal physician, he works with each patient to develop a treatment plan that will minimize or eliminate their pain. Providing expert diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of conditions, Pain Management In Dallas, PA provides a comprehensive range of services. These services include neck pain, back pain, hip and knee pain, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome, headaches, migraines, and many others.