Knee Problems - Ganglion Cyst - Who's had one?

Triathlon Forum
1

I have a knee injury that I’ve been dealing with for about 6 months. Crazy thing is that it doesn’t really hurt - just more of a bother, but worried it could progress to pain. It’s been diagnosed as a “ganglion” by a local orthopedic surgeon (after an MRI), which, in my case, is an inflammation of a bursal sack underneath the IT band (outside of my right kneecap). When it gets inflamed, a bump the size of a small grape forms and is even more noticeable when I extend my leg.

Dr. says that they can drain it and inject it w/ cortizone 3x per year… but would really like to find a cure for the problem rather than just a bandaid a few times each year.

Any STer’s out there ever have one of these. Chronic problem that never went away - or treatable? Just looking for some insight for this “overuse” injury.

Thanks.

2

I had one in my wrist years ago. It hung around for a year or so and never appeared again. I did have the doc inject it. Seemed to work OK but after the injection I had my wrist in a splint for 3 weeks to keep from moving it. Anyway, haven’t had any more problems for the last 20 years. Never had the left wrist done and that has not bothered me for 20 years either.

3

I had one in my wrist in college and they cut it out and haven’t had any problems or other ones since.

clm

4

I had one on my wrist for about 15 years, from about age 15-30. You’re right, it doesn’t hurt, its just kind of weird having it there…

I would “smash” mine about once every three months. (Use a hammer, table, forehead, whatever works). It would “pop”, and go away. Then it would grow back. Then once it just never came back.

Believe it or not, my doctor is the one who told me to do this (he didn’t “recommend” it, but he said that’s how they used to take care of it “in the old days”.) He also said that the cyst was not something to be concerned about.

5

Sounds like you definitely had exactly what’s ailing me. So strange that something that swells up like a cyst isn’t accompanied by pain!?! Might try the “smash” technique.

Doc said that she could operate - but only as a last resort - and as long as it’s not causing any pain, then she didn’t want to go that route. Plus she’d have to slit the IT band (vertically) to get to remove the cyst - then I could have permanent knee problems simply from having the surgery.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.