Baker's Cyst ... any help?

[anglicanbeachparty]

I'm posting this question on behalf of my wife Cindy, who suffers from Baker's cysts (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bakers-cyst/DS00448) on both knees.

The cyst behind her right knee was so large and bothersome, that she had arthroscopic surgery on it last summer to smooth out the meniscus (cartilage) on that knee. After recovery, there was no recurrence of the cyst for a couple of months, but now the problem has returned.

Basically, tears in the cartilage cause excess lubricating fluid, which creates pressure, and eventually the cyst appears, like a fluid-filled balloon.

Our family doctor is not much help, and I don't really like his attitude, which can be summarized as: Well, you're getting old, you can't really expect to continue exercising. Besides, it won't kill you, so just live with it. When it hurts, take pain killers.

So, our question is: Has anyone here had this maladay, and if so, how did you deal with it?

[Shelly]

OUCH! that stinks Paul.

When I was youngers i banged my knee really hard on a step..and i had cartilage build up in the FRONT of my knee, The doc said there was nothing i could do about it and it wouldnt effect anything. it was a small bump under my knee cap... im assuming cartilage and fluid. It always bothered me if i touched it...but eventually it dwindled...and is not virtually gone....

so i dont know about behind the knee.;.maybe you should reach out to another doc.

[Qubabe]

Hi Paul,
Do you know if is arthritis or a cartilage tear that has caused this?
Arthritis can be treated with Glucosamine, Chondrotin, and MSM and will alleviate this fluid buildup over time.
If it is a cartilage tear she will need to have surgery to alleviate the fluid buildup.
Either way any doctor who says live with it and take pain medicine should be shot.
Definately get a second opinion. There's got to be a better solution.

[anglicanbeachparty]

Hi Paul,
Do you know if is arthritis or a cartilage tear that has caused this?
Arthritis can be treated with Glucosamine, Chondrotin, and MSM and will alleviate this fluid buildup over time.
If it is a cartilage tear she will need to have surgery to alleviate the fluid buildup.
Either way any doctor who says live with it and take pain medicine should be shot.
Definately get a second opinion. There's got to be a better solution.

Thanks, Amanda.

Well, the specialist said (last year) that it was definitely the torn cartilage. So, the did the surgery to fix that. And it was okay for a while. But now it has come back, so that it the puzzle ... did it get torn again, or was that not the root cause. I was convinced it was, because I saw the pictures from the operation, and you could see a lot of tears.

My guess was that years of gymnastics and running on paved roads had caused the tears, rather than any one traumatic event.

She already takes Glucosamine and Chondrotin, but I will ask her about MSM. It doesn't sound familiar to me.

Thanks again!

[Qubabe]

I'm so sorry you guys are going through this. I know how it feels to have knee pain. I live through it daily.
Yes, MSM, works synergisticly with glucosamine and chondrotin. You need all 3 to work properly plus the right amount of Ester-C to break it down correctly. It's amazing how many supplements rely on Vitamin C to be efficiently used by the body. I take 3-4 grams a day on top of what's already in my Juice Plus.