Cyst on Leg

Cysts can occur anywhere on the body and anyone can suffer from them. A cyst can be initiated by a number of reasons like tumors, infections, defect in the cells or even breakage of a blood vessel. Read on to know more about the types of cysts on leg, their diagnosis and treatments.

What is a Cyst?
A cyst can be defined as a closed sac of oily yellow fluid called abscess, situated under the skin in the form of a lump. It can also consist of some gaseous or semi solid substances and can occur anywhere on the body and in various sizes.

There are many types of cysts which can occur on different parts of our body. Cysts under the wrist are called ganglion cysts. Those under the skin are called sebaceous cysts. A person can get cysts anywhere on the body, right from the face to the legs. The cyst on legs is the most painful as legs carry the entire body weight. These cysts occur on the legs, specifically on the knee joint or on the leg bone. Here's more information on cysts on legs.

Baker's Cyst
This type of cyst on legs is commonly called the Popliteal cyst and it occurs behind the knee joint. Here's more on baker's cyst behind knee. In this case, the fluid in the joints of the knee moves towards the back of the knee. This fluid is trapped between the joints due to the body weight and it gives rise to a fluid-filled sac or cyst. This further leads to swelling of the knee, resulting in disorders like arthritis or osteoarthritis and sometimes, even blood clots. Baker's cysts are a result of cartilage tears and other small knee injuries. If the Baker's cyst on leg is left untreated, it leads to separation of calf muscles. Read more on baker's cyst.

Cyst on Leg Bone
Cyst on leg bones may be situated inside the bone marrow or on the surface of the bone. Once the cyst on leg bone starts growing, the severity of the pain increases over a period of 7 to 14 weeks. There is a rise in temperature of the skin around the affected area of the bone. Due to the swelling in that part, movement of the bones is restricted.

A cyst that is burst or ruptured can cause calf pain, redness and swelling, and can lead to deep vein thrombosis or DVT. It can compress vascular structures, thus leading to leg edema. A collection of such cysts can result in cystic fibrosis, which is a very dangerous condition and can even prove fatal.

Cyst on Leg: Diagnosis
The cysts on legs and leg bones can be diagnosed by physically examining for lumps. If the cysts are internal, ultrasonography can help detect them. A Baker's cyst can be detected by an MRI scan. Diagnosis can also be done by observing symptoms like increase in leg pain or swelling of the knees and other areas of the leg.

Cyst on Leg: Treatment
Unless cysts are symptomatic, they do not need treatment. Some common treatments for cysts on legs are listed below:

• Aspirin can be used to reduce the size of the cysts and corticosteroids can be used to reduce the inflammation. If the cyst gets very painful, removal by surgery is advised.
• Ruptured cysts are cleaned using corticosteroid injections into the knee.
• Cryotherapy or 'Ice pack therapy' can reduce the pain caused by cysts. In this therapy, ice-pack is applied on the cyst for about 15 minutes.
• Medicines like paracetamol, ibuprofen or naproxen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to reduce the pain.
• Using a heating pad with minimum heat setting, for about 10-15 minutes, can also ease the pain.
• A knee brace, to support the knee joints and provide stability, can prove helpful.
• You should also avoid activities like kneeling, climbing and running so that the pain reduces. Consulting a physiotherapist for some helpful knee exercises wouldn't be a bad idea.
• Resting would also help to heal the cyst faster.

You don't have to get paranoid about a cyst on leg, as it can be cured by proper care and medication. But don't ignore it to such an extent, that the only choice you have is surgery.