Friday, April 27, 2007

Baker cyst


A Baker cyst (popliteal cyst) is swelling caused by knee joint fluid protruding to the back of the knee (popliteal area of the knee). When an excess of knee joint fluid is compressed by the body weight between the bones of the knee joint, it can become trapped and separate from the joint to form a fluid-filled sac, referred to as a Baker cyst.

Treatment:Baker cysts often resolve with removal of excess knee fluid in conjunction with cortisone injection. Doctor may prescribe an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication) such as Advil or ibuprofen to help reduce the pain and inflammation.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome


Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful disorder of the wrist and hand. The carpal tunnel is a narrow tunnel formed by the bones and other tissues of your wrist. This tunnel protects your median nerve. The median nerve gives you feeling in your thumb, and index, middle and ring fingers. But when other tissues in the carpal tunnel, such as ligaments and tendons, get swollen or inflamed, they press against the median nerve. That pressure can make part of your hand hurt or feel numb.

Doing the same hand movements over and over can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. It's most common in people whose jobs require pinching or gripping with the wrist held bent. People at risk include people who use computers, carpenters, grocery checkers, assembly-line workers, meat packers, musicians and mechanics. Hobbies such as gardening, needlework, golfing and canoeing can sometimes bring on the symptoms.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is linked to other things too. It may be caused by an injury to the wrist, such as a fracture. Or it may be caused by a disease such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid disease. Carpal tunnel syndrome is also common during the last few months of pregnancy.

Medications: A pain reliever such as ibuprofen (one brand name: Motrin), naproxen (brand name: Aleve), ketoprofen (brand name: Orudis) or aspirin. A shot in the wrist with a drug such as cortisone. This may help ease the pain by relieving swelling and inflammation. After a cortisone shot, the pain may come back.