Meniscal Cyst

What is a Meniscal Cyst

Meniscal cyst is a fluid-filled growth that forms on a crescent-shaped wedge of cartilage in the knee (meniscus). Two menisci are located in each knee.

They sit between the upper bone (femur, or thighbone) and lower bone (tibia, or shinbone) that make up the knee joint. The menisci cushion the knee and keep it stable.

A meniscal cyst can cause knee pain and limit movement of your knee.

What are the causes?

In most cases, a meniscal cyst develops after a knee injury that involves a tear in a meniscus. The tear allows the fluid inside the knee joint (synovial fluid) to leak out and then form the cyst.

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to develop a meniscal cyst if you have a knee injury in which a piece of the meniscus is torn. These injuries often occur from:

  • Contact sports.
  • Sports or activities that involve squatting, twisting, or pivoting movements.

As people get older, their meniscus gets thinner and weaker. Then, tears can happen more easily, even from simply climbing stairs.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

  • A bump on either side of your knee, where the knee bones come together.
  • Knee pain that gets worse with movement and better with rest.
  • Swelling.
  • Stiffness.
  • A feeling that your knee is locking, catching, or giving way.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

  • Your symptoms and medical history, including any previous injuries.
  • A physical exam. During the exam, your health care provider may:
    • Feel for a lump that pops in and out of your knee joint with movement.
    • Check your knee for tenderness, strength, movement, and stability.
  • Imaging tests, such as an MRI or ultrasound.

How is this treated?

Treatment for this condition may depend on your symptoms and how they affect you. Treatment options include:

  • Resting.
  • NSAIDs to reduce pain and swelling.
  • Physical therapy.
  • Wearing a knee brace or elastic wrap for support.
  • An injection of medicine (steroid) into the cyst.
  • A procedure to drain fluid from the cyst with a needle (aspiration).
  • Surgery to remove the cyst and possibly remove part of the meniscus.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a knee brace or elastic wrap:

  • Wear the brace or wrap as told by your health care provider. Remove it only as told by your health care provider.
  • Loosen the brace or wrap if your toes tingle, become numb, or turn cold and blue.
  • Keep the brace or wrap clean and dry.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

  • If directed, put ice on the affected area:
    • Put ice in a plastic bag.
    • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
    • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
  • Move your toes often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.
  • Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.

Activity

  • Rest and return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Avoid activities that make pain or swelling worse. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
  • If you were told by your health care provider to keep weight off your knee, use crutches or a cane as directed.
  • Begin doing exercises to strengthen your knee and leg muscles only as told by your health care provider.

General instructions

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. These can delay healing. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Prevention

To help prevent a meniscal cyst from coming back:

  • Do not play sports after an injury until your health care provider says it is okay to do so.
  • Do not train too hard. If you have pain or swelling, stop and rest.
  • Ask your health care provider to design a stretching program for you. Follow it as directed.
  • Use proper equipment when playing sports and exercising.
  • Wear shoes that are right for your activity.
  • Wear a knee support during sports activities, as told by your health care provider.
  • Start new activities gradually.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have pain that is getting worse.
  • You have chills or a fever.
  • Your knee brace gets damaged.
  • Your knee feels numb.
  • You notice swelling or redness below your brace.

Summary

  • The meniscus is a crescent-shaped wedge of cartilage in the knee. There are two in each knee. They cushion the knee and keep it stable.
  • A meniscal cyst is a fluid-filled growth that forms on a meniscus.
  • A meniscal cyst can cause knee pain and limit movement of the knee.
  • You are more likely to develop a meniscal cyst if you have a knee injury in which a piece of the meniscus is torn.
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