What is it most likely to be?

Question

right well.. i broke my foot in April and it absolutely killed. i finally went to get a xray on my foot about a week later and i was experiencing pain in my tibia aswell so i told the doctor and he xrayed my tibia and they said it was a cyst inside the bone of the tibia...they said it was nothing to worry about but to keep and eye on it. i often find i cant sleep because of the pain in my whole leg but mostly where the cyst lies i've tried a load of painkillers and they dont work but ive also had more xrays on the cyst and the doctors told me yesterday that there is shadowing around it which wasnt there before on the first xray,he's referd me t a specialist at the hospital, he wont tell me what it could be and wants to do more xrays what could it be??????? mum says the worst it could be cancer but it could be bleeding.. whatever it may be what happens next?like will they remove it or what???

Answer 1

Just ask the doctor.  I doubt they will remove it.

Answer 2

always get a second opinion

Answer 3

I tried to answer before but Yahoo went on a break.

What you have is called a popliteal cyst or baker's cyst.The symptoms caused by a popliteal cyst are usually mild. You may have aching or tenderness with exercise or your knee may feel unsteady, as though it's going to give out. You may feel pain from the underlying cause of the cyst, such as arthritis, an injury, or a mechanical problem with the knee, for instance a tear in the meniscus. Along with these symptoms, you may also see or feel a bulge on the back of your knee. Anything that causes the knee to swell and more fluid to fill the joint can make the cyst larger. It is common for a popliteal cyst to swell and shrink over time.

Sometimes a cyst will suddenly burst underneath the skin, causing pain and swelling in the calf. A ruptured popliteal cyst gives symptoms just like those of a blood clot in the leg, called thrombophlebitis. For this reason, it is important to determine right away the cause of the pain and swelling in the calf. Once the cyst ruptures, the fluid inside the cyst simply leaks into the calf and is absorbed by the body. In this case, you will no longer be able to see or feel the cyst. However, the cyst will probably return in a short time

The goal of surgery is to remove the cyst and

repair the hole in the joint lining where the

cyst pushed through. Unfortunately, about half

of the time the cyst comes back, or recurs,

after being removed. Surgeons are cautious

when suggesting surgery to remove a popliteal

cyst because they are prone to recur. The cure is often permanent, but preventing further cysts

depends a great deal on the success of treating

the underlying cause. You should be aware

that there is a very real chance that your cyst

may return after being removed and there is no

guarantee that the surgery will be successful.

Surgery can take more than an hour to complete. It is performed either under a general anesthetic, which causes you to sleep during the surgery, or using spinal anesthesia, which numbs the lower half of your body only. With spinal anesthesia, you may be awake during the surgery, but you won't be able to watch what's happening.

An incision will be made in the skin over the cyst. The cyst is then located and separated from the surrounding tissues. The area of the joint capsule where the cyst appears to be coming from is identified. A synthetic patch may be sewn in place to cover the hole in the joint capsule left by the removal of the cyst.

Your knee will be bandaged with a well-padded dressing and a splint for support. Your surgeon will want to check your knee within five to seven days. Stitches will be removed after 10 to 14 days. You may have some discomfort after surgery, and you will be given pain medicine to control the discomfort.

A popliteal cyst forms very near the major nerve and blood vessels of the leg. It is possible that these structures can be injured during surgery. If an injury happens, it can be a serious complication. Injury to the nerves can cause numbness or weakness in the foot and lower leg. Injury to the blood vessels may require surgery to repair them. In addition, it is uncommon but possible that another cyst can occur.

Rehabilitation

What should I expect with treatment?

Nonsurgical Rehabilitation

With nonsurgical rehabilitation, a popliteal cyst may improve in two to four weeks. Improvement, however, depends a great deal on improvement in the underlying condition (the problems that are causing the knee to swell). As long as the joint continues to swell, the size of the cyst will ebb and flow. If the knee is kept from swelling, the cyst won't swell.

Your doctor may have you work with a physical therapist. Treatments such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and soft-tissue massage may be used to ease pain and swelling from the cyst.

Therapy sessions sometimes include iontophoresis, which uses a mild electrical current to push anti-inflammatory medicine to the sore area. This treatment is especially helpful for patients who can't tolerate injections.

After Surgery

If you have surgery to remove the cyst, you can resume your daily activities and work as soon as you are able. You should keep your knee propped up for several days to avoid swelling and throbbing. Take all medicines exactly as prescribed by your surgeon. Be sure to keep all follow-up appointments.

Your surgeon may want you to use crutches or a cane for awhile. Avoid vigorous exercise for six weeks after surgery. You should be able to resume driving two weeks after surgery. Your surgeon may have you attend physical therapy sessions to regain the strength in your leg.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Drawing the fluid out with a needle and syringe can reduce the size of the cyst. Then cortisone can be injected into the affected area to reduce inflammation. These are usually temporary solutions, however. Nonsurgical treatment also includes rest and keeping your leg propped up for several days.

In some cases doctors have their patients work with a physical therapist who uses massage treatments, compression wraps, and electrical stimulation to reduce knee swelling. Flexibility and strengthening exercises for the lower limb may be used to help improve muscle balance in the knee.

Nonsurgical treatments are usually most effective when the underlying cause of the cyst is addressed. In other words, the effects of arthritis, gout, or injury to the knee need to be controlled.

If nonsurgical methods fail, complete removal of the cyst may be needed. Once they are reassured that the cyst is not dangerous, many people simply ignore the problem unless it becomes very painful.

Sorrry for the lengthy answer.  i just wanted it to be comprehensive and informative. This involves a  lot of research of different articles.

Answer 4

Seek for a second opinion from a specialist its your body not theirs ...remember you got to live with it for the rest of your life..good or bad,ugly or scared

Answer 5

seek second opinion as soon as possible.