<p>Well, I guess I didn’t come out of this year’s ski trip unscathed after all. Good news-- it isnt DVT (no clot). Bad news- its a Baker cyst behind/below my knee-- in my upper calf (similar symptoms-- sore, swollen, tender leg, painful to walk until I stretch it out and get going). Anyone have any experience with this? How long did it last? Best treatment? Suggestions? Thanks in advance</p>
<p>My MIL has them occasionally and there is not usually any invasive treatment. The most important thing you can do is elevate the leg as much as possible. You can use hot or cold compresses, if either seems to relieve discomfort. </p>
<p>She once had a very severe cyst drained, although most of the time they go away after a few days of rest and again, lots of time with the leg elevated.</p>
<p>I hope you feel better in a few days!</p>
<p>JYM - a fellow racewalker had one last year, I remember it took several weeks to get back to normal. I seem to recall that she was going to have it drained, but as Gourmetmom said, it improved with elevating her leg throughout the day and using both warm and cold compresses. How frustrating. I will email her and see if she has anything specific to recommend.</p>
<p>Thanks, gourmetmom. Its been 6 days and seems worse, not better ()probably b/c I had to wear heels and stand around at a wedding and reception last night). Today I am adorned in lovely* compression stockings. How long will this last?? I have to fly across country in a few days. Thank heavens its not a clot.</p>
<p>*** crossposted-- thanks worknprogress. any help is appreciated. I am trying to keep it elevated while following some amusing threads tonight. Hard to do!!</p>
<p>JYM - are you getting the ad about baker’s cyst at the top?? Oh, my heavens, when I clicked on the ad, the practitioner’s picture looked like someone you would see on a 60 minutes expose of a quack.</p>
<p>LOL_- I see Embassy Suites Hotels breakfast omlets ads up top. Now I am hungry!!!</p>
<p>My understanding is that the leg has to be elevated most of the time for it to clear up. Very difficult to manage, certainly, but you may need a few days off with more or less constant leg elevation. The night out in heels probably set you back.</p>
<p>
Uh oh… problem number one…</p>
<p>Wife has one right now. They come and go on their own. Sometimes you can have them drained by a doctor. But it could return.</p>
<p>Anxious to see what is done for these in the 21st century. I had one in the 60s…had it drained repeatedly (I passed out every single time) but it came back every time. They removed it surgically - 18 stitches and 10 days in the hospital! That was “modern medicine” back in 1968!</p>
<p>Oh my.</p>
<p>My Dr. is so far taking the “elevate, take NSAIDS ice, and call me in the morning” approach.</p>
<p>I had one many years ago. If I recall correctly, it went away on its own without too much work on my part.</p>
<p>Very different experiences for PAVenturer and missiepie. Interesting! Right now I am working on getting an aisle seat for my upcoming flights so I can move around.</p>
<p>I think this warrants first class and lots of ice and pillows from the flight attendants!</p>
<p>jym626, I’m thinking your entire family might need to take up a safer sport, say…chess?</p>
<p>I like the way you think, gourmetmom!! And LOL Ga2012mom-- but knowing my guys- they’d probably slip on a piece that rolled on the floor. Does that make them a pawn in the game of life?</p>
<p>Nah, just a klutz.</p>
<p>Chess, did someone say chess LOL! </p>
<p>About four weeks ago, I developed a Baker’s Cyst. Advice from Sports medicine Dr, friend who has had about five of these over the years, said DO NOT HAVE SURGERY!
I agree, until the knee is walked on for a bit, it can be quite sensitive, and I have found that sitting in a position too long isn’t good. </p>
<p>I walk with a friend 5 miles, and found that walking has actually been helpful, after I got a FUTURO Knee Comfort Support Knee support! It has helped walk for miles on a trip to Chicago last week. </p>
<p>Also, the high heels probably made it worse, so wear comfy shoes until the fluid is reabsorbed. </p>
<p>Did you have some knee trauma on your wonderful trip? Apparently, worn, torn cartilage can be the underlying problem, in which case correcting that might be necessary. </p>
<p>I haven’t gotten to that point, no MRI yet. </p>
<p>Advil helped when it ached too much FYI.
I had aisle seat on plane and stretched and moved kneee frequently.</p>
<p>Ga2012mom,
They really are not klutz’s – any of them. They just like to do things that most normal humans might find a bit risky. </p>
<p>I was asking older s (as they meandered into one of the terrain parks) how exactly he broke his leg when we were skiing (I wasn’t right there with them when it happened). He said he took a final jump… only to disover it wasnt a real jump and had no landing area on the other side…</p>
<p>Southjerseychessmom-
Thanks- for the info-- we can suffer together!! I really had no trauma (other than when my s, er… smashed into me, but I really felt no pain–really) and I ski with knee braces as I dont have super strong knees. But I am glad to hear that flying wasnt a problem. I am aslo finding it easy to stiffen up if I sit too long.</p>
<p>Jym- yes, I didn’t have any trauma, and hope it isn’t osteoarthritis setting in!
Do you have one of these stretchable knee braces? I found the wrap kind made it worse- something about the uneven pressure at different points along my knee when I walked. </p>
<p>The Futuro- without side braces, just the elastic one piece, has made all the difference. ($12.00 At CVS)
Sitting at a table, or at the computer, with leg bent or straight for prolonged time, makes it much stiffer.
Yes, please keep me updated, this is a new condition for me, and I’m not a happy camper. and despite my name, NOT a CHESS player :)</p>
<p>Re: flying- only flew from Philly to Chicago- so not across country…</p>