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Is Swelling In Calf Area After Meniscus Surgery Suggestive Of Baker Cyst?
Question: If my orthopedic doctor says that my tremendous swelling in my calf after meniscus surgery is due to a Baker's Cyst, should I get a second opinion?
I've tried advil for several weeks.
My right calf (good one) is 39 cm. My left calf is 43 cm. When should I be concerned and go to the hospital? (specifically at night in bed).
I've tried advil for several weeks.
My right calf (good one) is 39 cm. My left calf is 43 cm. When should I be concerned and go to the hospital? (specifically at night in bed).
Brief Answer:
Needs ultrasound venous colour doppler. Visit Hospital if shortness of XXXXXXX
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understood your problem.
Could you kindly answer a few questions for me to be in a better position to help you.
Are you suffering from knee arthritis ?
Have you got any investigations like Ultrasound at the back of the knee to confirm Baker's cyst ?
Have you had any trauma or previous surgeries ?
Swelling of the calf muscles could be due to numerous reasons like Deep vein thrombosis, ruptured Baker's cyst, lymohoedema etc.
If you have a history of knee arthritis I would like to rule our a Baker's cyst which can rupture to cause fluid accumulation in the calf muscles and pain. I would get an Ultrasound to confirm. Also Deep vein thrombosis can cause swelling of the calf and pain due to clot formation. For this I would get a Venous colour doppler done.
Kindly keep your limb elevated. Avoid squeezing or massaging it. Apply warm packs to reduce pain and muscle spasm. Take pain killers with muscle relaxant like Tablet Diclofenac and Thicolchicoside combination for relief from muscle spasm. Keep moving your feet at the ankles up and down actively and regularly.
If you are having severe pain, shortness of breath of chest pain, I would advise you to go to the Hospital immediately to get checked up for Pulmonary embolism due to a Deep vein clot in your calf.
Kindly answer my questions so that I can guide you for the next step to be taken.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Needs ultrasound venous colour doppler. Visit Hospital if shortness of XXXXXXX
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understood your problem.
Could you kindly answer a few questions for me to be in a better position to help you.
Are you suffering from knee arthritis ?
Have you got any investigations like Ultrasound at the back of the knee to confirm Baker's cyst ?
Have you had any trauma or previous surgeries ?
Swelling of the calf muscles could be due to numerous reasons like Deep vein thrombosis, ruptured Baker's cyst, lymohoedema etc.
If you have a history of knee arthritis I would like to rule our a Baker's cyst which can rupture to cause fluid accumulation in the calf muscles and pain. I would get an Ultrasound to confirm. Also Deep vein thrombosis can cause swelling of the calf and pain due to clot formation. For this I would get a Venous colour doppler done.
Kindly keep your limb elevated. Avoid squeezing or massaging it. Apply warm packs to reduce pain and muscle spasm. Take pain killers with muscle relaxant like Tablet Diclofenac and Thicolchicoside combination for relief from muscle spasm. Keep moving your feet at the ankles up and down actively and regularly.
If you are having severe pain, shortness of breath of chest pain, I would advise you to go to the Hospital immediately to get checked up for Pulmonary embolism due to a Deep vein clot in your calf.
Kindly answer my questions so that I can guide you for the next step to be taken.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
Let me give some background to swelling. I had arthroscopic surgery in late XXXXXXX
The surgery was to repair a meniscus tear and arthritis was found. In August, I had a cortisone shot in my left knee. I was experiencing a lot of pain and the shot
helped. My left calf started to swell up a few weeks ago.
As far as an ultrasound, I had one a couple of weeks ago to rule out any blood clots. I had an MRI a couple of months ago.
My number one concern is that something else is going on and it gets missed.
I'm in no real pain at all. It's difficult to walk, so I use a cane and crutches. Unfortunately, I teach in middle school and I'm on my feet all day long with my cane or crutches. I hope this information helps you.
Let me give some background to swelling. I had arthroscopic surgery in late XXXXXXX
The surgery was to repair a meniscus tear and arthritis was found. In August, I had a cortisone shot in my left knee. I was experiencing a lot of pain and the shot
helped. My left calf started to swell up a few weeks ago.
As far as an ultrasound, I had one a couple of weeks ago to rule out any blood clots. I had an MRI a couple of months ago.
My number one concern is that something else is going on and it gets missed.
I'm in no real pain at all. It's difficult to walk, so I use a cane and crutches. Unfortunately, I teach in middle school and I'm on my feet all day long with my cane or crutches. I hope this information helps you.
Brief Answer:
Ultrasound, Doppler, MRI
Detailed Answer:
Ho the.
Thanks for the follow up query.
Usually patients with knee arthritis sometimes exorbitant calf muscle stiffness. This could be due to a Baker's cyst which is a small swelling behind the knee. Sometimes the cyst can burst and the fluid can seep into the calf muscles causing stiffness and pain.
Other causes can be varicose veins, lymohoedema due to parasite infection in certain endemic areas or lymph blockage.
Usually am Ultrasound and colour doppler should rule out sinister causes for calf swelling. For a more thorough as approach, I would get you to perform calf stretching exercises with your palms against the wall and heels behind with the knee straightened, one leg at a time. Keep the limbs elevated while lying down.
If this doesn't work, am MRI of the leg will help find the cause.
I hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Ultrasound, Doppler, MRI
Detailed Answer:
Ho the.
Thanks for the follow up query.
Usually patients with knee arthritis sometimes exorbitant calf muscle stiffness. This could be due to a Baker's cyst which is a small swelling behind the knee. Sometimes the cyst can burst and the fluid can seep into the calf muscles causing stiffness and pain.
Other causes can be varicose veins, lymohoedema due to parasite infection in certain endemic areas or lymph blockage.
Usually am Ultrasound and colour doppler should rule out sinister causes for calf swelling. For a more thorough as approach, I would get you to perform calf stretching exercises with your palms against the wall and heels behind with the knee straightened, one leg at a time. Keep the limbs elevated while lying down.
If this doesn't work, am MRI of the leg will help find the cause.
I hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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