Abstract
BackgroundA popliteal cyst is a benign swelling with synovial fluid located behind the knee joint. Popliteal cysts are often asymptomatic; however, symptomatic cysts may cause pain and may need surgery interventions. Here, we performed a perspective study to compare the clinical efficacy of different surgical approaches, including traditional open excision and advanced arthroscopic treatment.MethodsA total of 76 patients with popliteal cysts were assigned into three groups by a randomized complete block design. Group A included 32 patients (15 males and 17 females, age 55.3 ± 9.8 years) who received arthroscopic internal drainage of the cysts. Group B included 19 patients (9 males and 10 females, age 55.4 ± 7.6 years) who received open excision after arthroscopic treatment. Group C included 25 patients (11 males and 14 females, age 54.2 ± 8.5 years) who received open excision. All patients were followed up for an average of 13.7 ± 2.4 months. The following parameters were compared: the time of surgery, during surgery, the length of incision, the incision healing rate, the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the hospitalization time, the rate of recovery to level 0–1 cysts, the recurrence rate, and the Lysholm score.ResultsGroup A exhibited significant better outcomes compared to groups B and C in the length of incision (1.6 ± 0.1 cm), the incision healing rate (100%), the postoperative VAS score (2.7 ± 1.2), the hospitalization time (7.8 ± 2.8 days), and the Lysholm score at the last follow-up (85.8 ± 5.2). The recurrence rate is significantly lower in groups A (3.1%) and B (5.2%) than group C (40%) (P < 0.001).ConclusionsArthroscopic treatment for popliteal cysts exhibited better clinical outcomes with minimal invasion and can be recommended for future clinical interventions.
Highlights
A popliteal cyst is a benign swelling with synovial fluid located behind the knee joint
All patients were scored according to Rauschning and Lindgren classification (RLC) and Kellgren-Lawrence system (K-L) [9]
Group B included 19 patients who received open excision after arthroscopic treatment (9 males and females, age 55.4 ± 7.6 years; RLC 1 grade I, grade II, and 7 grade III; K-L 3 grade 0, 8 grade I, and 8 grade II; 7 patients combined with meniscus injuries, 5 combined with cartilage injuries, 6 had both meniscus and cartilage injuries, 1 combined with synovitis)
Summary
A popliteal cyst is a benign swelling with synovial fluid located behind the knee joint. Popliteal cysts are often asymptomatic; symptomatic cysts may cause pain and may need surgery interventions. Popliteal cyst is a common knee joint disease and often seen in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis or meniscus tear [1, 2]. Treatment usually involves open excision from the posterior side of the knee. It requires a large incision and is associated with high recurrence rates [3, 4]. It is becoming a commonplace that understanding pathological progression underlying popliteal cysts is beneficial for the current treatment [5]. Yang et al Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research (2017) 12:158
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
