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Conditions
Procedures
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Baker Cyst
A Baker cyst (popliteal cyst) is swelling caused by fluid from the knee joint protruding to the back of the knee. When an excess of knee joint fluid is compressed by the body weight between the bones of the knee joint, it can become trapped and separate from the joint to form the fluid-filled sac of a Baker cyst.
Baker cysts can be caused by any cause of joint swelling (Arthritis), such as Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis). Children with juvenile arthritis of the knee can also develop a Baker cyst. It can result from cartilage tears (e.g. a torn meniscus), rheumatoid arthritis, and other knee problems too.A Baker cyst may cause no symptoms or be associated with knee pain and/or tightness behind the knee, especially when the knee is extended or fully flexed.
Baker cysts can rupture, leaking fluid down the inner leg to sometimes cause the appearance of a painless bruise on the inner ankle and/or rapid-onset swelling of the leg.
Baker cysts are often resolved with removal of excess knee fluid in conjunction with cortisone injection. Medications are sometimes given to relieve pain and inflammation. Baker cysts that are associated with cartilage tears are other internal knee problems are often given the option of surgery to remove the swollen tissue (synovium) that leads to the cyst formation. This is most commonly done with Arthroscopic surgery.
Bursitis
Knee bursitis is inflammation of a bursa located near your knee joint. There are 11 bursae in each knee and each of these small fluid-filled, pad-like sac helps to reduce friction and cushions pressure points between your bones and the tendons and muscles near your joints.
Knee bursitis most commonly occurs over the kneecap (Prepatellar bursitis or housemaid’s knee) or on the inner side of your knee below the joint (Anserine bursitis) . It causes pain and can limit your mobility (e.g. stiffness and pain when kneeling and walking).
Treatment for knee bursitis often includes a combination of self-care practices and doctor-administered treatments to alleviate pain and inflammation. Self-care practices include resting, using ice pack on the knee and physical therapy. For mild-to-moderate pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed to reduce inflammation of the knee. Sometimes the orthopaedic doctor may have to draw out the fluid from the bursa using a small needle and then inject a steroid drug into the bursa to counteract the inflammation. In cases where non-surgical treatments do not work and symptoms are intolerable, surgery may be essential. This is generally carried out using Arthroscopy surgery (key-hole surgery) and as a day surgery.
Other forms of bursitis include Infrapatellar bursitis (jumpper’s knee) and Anserine bursitis. Infrapatellar bursitis is inflammation of the infrapatellar bursa which is located just under the kneecap beneath the large tendon that attaches the muscles in front of the thigh and the kneecap to the prominent bone in front of the lower leg. It is usually as a result of a jumping injury. Whereas an Anserine bursitis is inflammation of the anserine bursa which is located on the lower inner side of the knee . This is most common in middle-aged women and people who are obese. These patients can notice pain in the inner knee while climbing or descending stairs.
Total Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement surgery is a reliable method of treating painful knee arthritis. The good to excellent results are as high as 98% in most long-term studies. The typical patient requiring a total knee replacement surgery is one who has failed non-surgical treatment. This group of patients have tried painkillers, glucosamine sulphate and physiotherapy to treat their knee pain. Some patients have also tried steroid or synthetic hyaluronic acid (joint lubricant) injections directly into the knee joint but the pain still persists.
The advances being practiced today would be the use of computer surgical navigation to improve alignment of the knee implant, early post-operative pain control and early rehabilitation.
Click here to read more about Total Knee Replacement Surgery.
If you have knee pain, please call our clinic at 6737 5683 to seek medical treatment.
Knee Arthroscopy and Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
The ACL is commonly injured in sporting activities from direct contact, for instance during tackle in soccer, or non-contact, such as bad footing in a pot-hole while running on the pitch. Many athletes describe a sensation of the knee joint shifting out of place temporarily at the time of injury. This may be accompanied with a loud “pop” as the ligament ruptures. There will usually be painful swelling in the knee joint due to self-limiting bleeding in the joint, and the athlete is usually unable to return to play because of the painful limp in the affected leg.
This operation is usually performed as “key-hole” surgery (Arthroscopy using a specialized viewing camera and instruments to allow the surgeon to work in the knee joint with small skin incisions. The graft tendon will be positioned in the knee joint through drill holes in the femur and tibia, and fixed in position. In the same sitting, the surgeon will also examine the other knee joint structures such as the cartilage and the menisci for injury, and deal with them appropriately.
Click here to read more about ACL Reconstruction.
If you think you have injured your Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), please call our clinic at 67375683 to seek medical treatment.
