In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about a lump on the knee and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.

Lump on knee

A lump over the knee joint is a deformity caused by a chronic inflammatory condition like arthritis, or it can be a deformity caused by any type of joint damage. lumps can also be caused by a variety of different illnesses, such as infections, bone or soft tissue problems, or cancers. Lumps can be solitary or many, soft or hard, painful or painless, depending on the reason. They may grow quickly or stay the same size for a long time.

Additionally, local infectious causes of lumps might manifest as boils or abscesses. Bug bites to severe traumas, such as bone fractures, can result in blood clots in the tissues, which can generate lumps (hematoma). Also, a meniscus tear can also cause the development of knee lumps.

Moreover, tumors of the skin, soft tissues, or shinbone (tibia) can occasionally feel like lumps, both benign and malignant. A biopsy or surgical excision of the lump can be performed to evaluate whether cancer is present in these circumstances. It is important to mention here that, cysts are fluid-filled sac-like structures that can occur in various regions of the body. They might feel lumpy. Baker’s cyst is a collection of fluid on the back of the knee.

What does a knee lump feel like?

You may feel bruising of the knee lumps. This occurs as a result of internal bleeding within the lump. You will notice skin darkening and pain at the site of the lump if the blood vessels in the lump rupture.

Your knee joint will be distorted and you will be unstable while walking if the lump is hard and firm. It also puts pressure on the muscles and tendons, making it difficult to walk and run properly. You should consult a doctor right now to correct the situation.

On the surface of the lump and in the surrounding area, you will notice redness and warmth. This is a symptom that the lump is inflamed. Apply topical treatments or take them orally if the region is irritated.

If the lump is due to a knee injury, you should seek professional medical advice from an orthopedic doctor. X-rays and other imaging tests are done to confirm the diagnosis. Additionally, your physical therapist would check your range of motion to determine if it is reduced due to injury or other knee problems, or any serious condition. In case of other health conditions such as a tumor or mass, ultrasound can be used. Ultrasound is a simple and painless diagnostic procedure that uses sound waves to identify whether the mass is solid or liquid.

Causes of knee lump

There are the following causes of knee lumps.

Bursitis(1) is a medical condition in which the bursa becomes inflamed. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that cushions a joint and allows it to move freely. Bursitis of the kneecap occurs when the bursa between the front of the kneecap and the skin becomes inflamed. Kneeling for an extended period of time can result in kneecap bursitis, which manifests as an egg-shaped bulge on the front of the kneecap.

Gout can cause a bump to form on your knee. It’s a condition in which uric acid crystals build up in your joints and cause inflammation. Swelling develops at the site of the inflammation, resulting in a bump on the skin. This kind of bump hurts, and you’ll require therapy to get rid of the ache and inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis(2) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the knee joint that causes nodules or lumps on the joint. In this illness, your body damages its own joints, resulting in swelling, pain, and stiffness of the affected joint. Osteoarthritis develops due to wear and tear of the cartilage, it can also occur if ligaments are damaged which results in knee swelling.

Furthermore, benign tumors can also show up on your skin as lumps that are hard and stiff to the touch. The majority of the time, these masses do not produce any systemic symptoms. A fibroma is a tumor-like development consisting largely of fibrous or connective tissue that is benign. This uncontrolled cell proliferation occurs for unexplained reasons, or as a result of injury or local irritation, resulting in tumor-like growths like fibroma. Fibromas can appear anywhere on the body. Their treatment is rare, they cannot be removed.

Some lumps over the knee joint can also be caused by ligament injuries. For example, Anterior Cruciate ligament damage can lead to the development of an ACL ganglion cyst over the Knee joint. Meniscus tears that involve cartilage tear can also cause a lump.

Types of knee lumps

Warts

Warts are tiny, rough, spherical growths on the top layer of the skin that are sometimes known as common warts or verrucae. They can be found individually or in groups. The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes common warts(3), which are spread through direct contact, often through a breach in the skin. They can be transmitted from one part of the body to another merely by touching.

Warts can affect anyone, but they are more common in people who have a weaker immune system as a result of sickness or chemotherapy. Warts can affect children and teenagers as well.

Your doctor may ask for a physical examination to make a diagnosis. The majority of warts may be readily removed in a doctor’s office, while some warts may disappear on their own, especially in children.

Synovial chondromatosis

Synovial chondromatosis is a condition that affects the synovium, a thin flexible membrane that encloses the synovial fluid in the joint. It’s easy to mix it up with tendonitis and arthritis. Joint swelling, discomfort in one knee, pain in one hip, swelling, and spontaneous sharp pain in the affected knee are some of the most common symptoms.

Skin cyst

A cyst is a small sac or lump that grows in the body for no obvious cause and is filled with fluid, air, fat, or other material. A skin cyst is a cyst that develops just beneath the surface of the skin. Skin cysts form when keratinocytes – the cells that make up the skin’s relatively strong outer layer – become trapped.

A skin cyst can affect anyone, although it is more common in people over the age of 18, those who have acne, and those who have had their skin harmed.

Dermatofibroma

A dermatofibroma is a type of skin growth that typically develops on the lower legs but can occur anywhere on the body. These mole-like growths are completely harmless (noncancerous.)

Although the etiology is unknown, dermatofibroma can develop after a minor injury. The growths aren’t infectious. A hard, elevated growth that is red, pink, or brown and less than half an inch wide is one of the symptoms. They’re normally harmless, but they might be sensitive or irritating, and they come in groups or alone.

Baker’s cyst (popliteal cyst)

A Baker’s cyst(4), also known as a Popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled swelling behind the knee that creates a protrusion and tightness. A Baker’s cyst is the most common knee problem in which a lump appears on the back of your knee.

A Baker’s cyst (Popliteal cyst) arises in the popliteal fossa between the semimembranosus tendons and the medial head of the gastrocnemius. Typically, it is situated at or below the joint line.

It can restrict the range of motion of the knee joint. A popliteal cyst can cause severe pain on the back of the knee when it is fully flexed or extended.

Top Symptoms of Baker’s cyst include dull achy knee pain, calf pain, inflammation, knee pain that gets worse when squatting, and instability of the patella.

Although popliteal cysts can cause swelling and discomfort, treating the underlying cause (such as knee arthritis) usually alleviates the symptoms. Your doctor may be able to tell you if surgery is necessary, which is unlikely in the case of a popliteal cyst.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Cyst

It is also called an ACL ganglion cyst. The majority of intra-articular ganglion cysts of the knee are ACL ganglion cysts. These ganglion cysts emerge from the alar folds that cover the infrapatellar fat pad. The symptoms of an Anterior Cruciate ligament cyst include pain, locking, reduced knee extension, and clicking sounds. Treatment for ACL ganglion cysts often involves addressing the underlying causes of anterior knee pain, which can include joint instability and inflammation. In some cases, aspiration of the cyst may provide temporary relief, while surgical intervention may be necessary for persistent symptoms. Physical therapy can also play a vital role in strengthening the surrounding musculature and improving overall knee function.

Additionally, a ganglion cyst may develop within or close to the cruciate ligament as a result of irritation or trauma to the synovium covering the ACL, which can cause the release of hyaluronic acid and the formation of mucin.

Meniscal cysts

Meniscal cysts are caused by the deposition of synovial fluid, usually as a result of a meniscus tear. When they expand beyond the meniscus’ edges, they are referred to as Para meniscal cysts.

A meniscal cyst is not a true cyst, but rather an outpouching of fluid that has been displaced. In addition, cartilage damage or meniscal tear might create a one-way valve that prevents fluid from returning to the knee. The liquid then gathers below the kneecap and forms a cyst.

According to peer-reviewed studies, a  patient having a meniscal cyst can present with palpable soft tissue swelling with or without pain. If left untreated, meniscal cysts might cause scalloping and erosions of the adjacent bone.

Medical Care and treatment

Following are the nonsurgical treatment options if you have knee swelling:

• Apply an ice pack to your kneecap, for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, place a small towel between your skin and the ice.
• After three days of ice application, you can apply heat to your knees. You can use a warm, moist towel, a hot water bottle, or a low-heat heating pad.
• When icing the injured leg or sitting or lying down for the following three days, elevate the leg up on a pillow. Try to maintain it above your heart’s level. This will aid in the reduction of edema.
• Allow your knee to rest. Put an end to any hobbies that give you little or severe pain. Change your activities to ones that are less stressful for your knee.
• Take your medications exactly as directed by your doctor. If you think you’re having a problem with your medicine, call your doctor or the nurse hotline.
• Ask your doctor if you can use acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Naprosyn) as an over-the-counter pain reliever (Aleve) to reduce pain. Your doctor may also prescribe steroids(5) like corticosteroid medication to decrease inflammation rapidly. Your health care provider can also administer a steroid injection in worst cases.
• Nonsurgical treatment options for knee lumps include the use of a compression wrap. The purpose of compression bandages is to provide pressure to a specific location such as the area of a knee injury. They help reduce inflammation by preventing the collection of fluids at the injured site.
• Additionally, other treatment options include physical therapy. For example, a patient with knee pain as a result of Baker’s cyst can perform calf stretches, hamstring stretches, and squats.
• It is important to mention here, that occasionally a Baker’s cyst can cause knee pain, inflammation, and redness in the lower leg. Additionally, the symptoms of baker’s cysts might appear similar to a blood clot. A blood clot is a medical emergency. Whenever in doubt, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Your doctor may check your symptoms to determine whether you have a Baker’s cyst or a blood clot.#

Prolotherapy

In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat the root cause of knee lumps. Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and regenerative benefits.

Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with small needles, which has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen cells, which the body uses to repair structures in and around the knee.

As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of knee lumps, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning.

Surgery

• Even though surgery is rarely used to treat lumps, in some cases this treatment option may be advised by a healthcare provider. For example, in the case of knee damage or Baker’s cyst, the source of your knee damage may be repaired via surgery.Your doctor may consider surgery: your knee pain is severe, and you have difficulty moving your knee (limited range of motion).
• Additionally, it’s crucial to treat any underlying condition that may have been related to your lump. When the underlying cause of the knee lump is cured, some conditions like Baker’s cysts may go away on their own.
• In some situations, surgery may not be required, it is also possible to drain the excess fluid from the cyst such as Baker’s cyst. However, surgery might be needed to fix any substantial knee injuries.

Conclusion

A lump on the knee represents a tumor or any other soft tissue defect. If it is just swelling, it can be managed by health tips. If this is painful, you will feel difficulty walking. You should also worry about it even if the lump is not painful. You need to see your doctor if the lump does not reduce by itself. If you have a medical history of knee lumps, you should consult a healthcare provider for physical examination and health information.

FAQs

What can a lump on your knee mean?

A knee lump can be a deformity caused by a chronic inflammatory condition like arthritis, or it can be a deformity caused by any type of joint damage.

Is knee bursitis a hard lump?

Bursae, small squishy sacs that surround your joints, become inflamed. It’s possible that you’ll feel stiff and that moving the joint normally will cause pain. Despite the fact that it is linked to particular accidents and diseases, the exact cause of each occurrence is frequently unknown. It could be a short-term difficulty or a long-term issue. Drugs, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications can all be used by your doctor to help you treat it.

What do Baker’s cysts look like?

A Baker’s cyst is a cyst filled with fluid behind the knee that causes a bulge and tightness. When you fully flex or extend your knee, or when you’re active, the discomfort can get worse.

How do you reduce swelling on the side of your knee?

Inflammation is indicated by swelling on the side of the knee. To reduce inflammation, you should take anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen. If the swelling doesn’t go away, talk to your doctor about it.

What is the lump on the outside of my knee?

A meniscal cyst is most often a bump on the outside of the knee. A meniscal cyst is a collection of viscous fluid that develops when the meniscal cartilage, which cushions the knee, tears.

What is a housemaid’s knee?

The prepatellar bursa is a tiny fluid-filled sac that resides beneath the skin, above the patella, and on the front of the knee (kneecap). Bursitis is characterized by a large and painful prepatellar bursa, which is known as Housemaid’s knee(6).

Does fluid on the knee go away by itself?

The fluid in the swelling goes away once the source of the swollen joint is treated. Fluid on the knee, on the other hand, does not always go away. Treatment for many illnesses consists of managing your symptoms rather than eradicating them.

References

1. Four Common Types of Bursitis: Diagnosis and Management : JAAOS – Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2019). LWW. https://journals.lww.com/jaaos/Abstract/2011/06000/Four_Common_Types_of_Bursitis__Diagnosis_and.6.aspx
2. Gabriel, S. E. (2001). THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America, 27(2), 269–281. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0889-857x(05)70201-5
3. Gross, G., Pfister, H., Hagedorn, M., & Gissmann, L. (1982). Correlation between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Type and Histology of Warts. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 78(2), 160–164. https://doi.org/10.1111/1523-1747.ep12506324
4. Validate User. (n.d.). Academic.oup.com. Retrieved May 30, 2022, from https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/29/2/276/274211?login=true
5. Kruse, D. W. (2008). Intraarticular cortisone injection for osteoarthritis of the hip. Is it effective? Is it safe? Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, 1(3-4), 227–233. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-008-9029-0
6. Martyn, R. W. (1861). Treatment of “Housemaid’s Knee.” British Medical Journal, 2(47), 565. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2288112/