Baker's Cyst Burst - Is It Always Osteopath Arthritis And How Is Living With It?

[B-HAVE]

My baker's cyst in knee burst on 1 st May . Swelling is gradually going down but I feel like my joints and bones are turning to stone as I am so stiff. The doc reckons its osteoarthritis but as I can't take ibuprofen (got Barrett's) he said get used to it.

I miss my exercise. I was a 3-5 classes a week and lived on 4 hours sleep. Since I gave up I sleep 8 hours and am exhausted.

Is this a temporary thing or is this now the way ?
Is a baker.s cyst always osteo arthritis?
What is life like with oa? What can one do?

Thank you to anyone who can share ,

[Sqad]

In my experience Baker's Cysts are invariably associated with Osteo-Arthritis of the knee.
From what you have described and if this is confirmed by an MRI scan, then this will be a permanent disability and you will need physiotherapy and or analgesics.
It is a pity that you cannot take Ibuprofen for the pain, but there are alternatives.

This is a " wear and tear" situation and will be slowly progressive.

Knee replacement well may be at the end of the line for you.

[B-HAVE]

Thanks. Yes, I had an MRI but was clutching at straws as consultant said you "may" have osteoarthritis. I am a volunteer emergency responder so just wondering if I may need to consider stepping down or if pain will ease over time.

Can you still exercise with OA?

[Sqad]

\\\Can you still exercise with OA? \\\

That is entirely up to you.........pain will be a limiting factor to exercising......so do what you can.

[shaneystar2]

I don't want to appear to be Jobs comforter but ......I had Bakers Cysts in both knees in my late forties .Not both at once but one after the other .I'm now 65 and have severe OA, whole body .
Since then I've had both knees washed out and cortisone injections in them .
Stave it off as long as you can .Take a supplement such as cod liver oil or Glucosamine .Wear a knee support if it plays up and above all keep moving .

[starone]

I have osteo-arthritis. I reckon shaney is right. I have taken a large dose of cod liver oil for years and reckon it has kept the worst of it away. I think I would have been far worse if I had not taken it. I don't know about glucosamine. I did take it for a while but it didn't do anything for me. I read somewhere that results had not been proven, but then, it must work for some people or it wouldn't be popular. It is progressive and as I have got older I have had to start using aids to walking. I use a walking stick and also have a triangular walking frame with wheels. I have noticed an old chap whizzing by my house on a mobility scooter and he seems to lead an active, if limited, sort of life. Paracetomol when the pain gets too bad, but all depends on you and your doctor.

[shaneystar2]

PS
If the exercise you do now involves a lot of jumping about etc I'd consider a different form of exercise .I used to swim regularly and that helped enormously .

[tamaris]

I was diagnosed with a Bakers cyst a couple weeks ago. Doctor gave me a course of Naproxen, and then put me on paracetamol. It is much better, but at times feels as if the lump is still there. He said it was wear and tear at the end of the day. Having a bone density test shortly, had 2 before now as had a few broken bones, I have apparently got osteopenia. Not been told to take fish oil.