Karen Moss
I just recently went through a very painful experience with a bakers cyst in my right knee. I didn't even know what it was. I have Rheumatiod Arthritis. Very chronic -- I might say. All my joints are affected -- but never in the knees. They were always fine. A couple of days ago -- I noticed that my knee was swollen in the front upper left-hand side. I was very puffy like a sac of fluid. I was unable to bend my knee at all. It felt like there was no circulation and It felt very tight and uncomfortable. I was unable to even sit down to bend my knee. The very next morning I woke up and from the knee down to the ankle my leg was swollen up like a ballon. I had never experienced anything like this in my life! It was throbbing and when I went to stand up -- I nearly fainted. Right away I called the Rheumatolist. I was going to go to the ER. I was shaking and so tense that I couldn't even think straight. My doctor seen me right away. He said that I had a bakers cyst. I told him that I had never heard of that before. He explained it to me and said that it was behind the knee and it had ruptured. That was the reason why my leg filled up with fluid. It was the fluid from the cyst. The doctor gave my knee a shot of cortisone and drew out the excess fluid with a syringe. It took 3 big syringes to finish cleaning it out. The doctor was amazed at the amount. They sent it to the lab to have research on the snovial fluid. A couple of days later. I feel much better and my knee is just fine. I hope I never get another one. That really scared me. I would have to say that Yes-they are painful if they get to the point of rupturing. I must have had mine for awhile but never felt it or never had any pain. I would say that it all depends on what's going on with your situation. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.