Hygroma on the leg - what to do?

The hygroma on the leg is a tumor-like formation located on the lower limb. It is characterized by the accumulation of serous-fibrinous or mucoid-serous fluid in the mucous bag near the joint or the tendon sheath of the muscle.

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Causes of Hygroma on Leg

The causes of hygroma on the leg are not completely clear. It is believed that it develops because of: 

• inflammatory process in the synovial membrane of the fibrous vagina of muscle tendons (tendovaginitis), 
• inflammation of the mucosa near the joints (bursitis), 
• systematic physical load on the vagina of the tendons of the muscles and joints of the lower limbs (in athletes: skiers, skaters or workers of heavy industry, loaders, etc.) 
• frequent traumatization of joints and tendons of muscles (in athletes, in workers in certain professions),
• poorly treated injuries, 
• genetic predisposition.

According to statistics, in women, hygromes occur 3 times more often than men. They are noted mainly in young people twenty-thirty years old. In the elderly and childhood, the tumor is rare.

From the location of the hygroma on the leg are distinguished: 

• Hygroma feet. Such a tumor, as a rule, is formed around the ankle joints or on the back side of the metatarsal-phalanal bones. It can interfere with movement, especially in shoes. The location of this type of tumor in the foot area is accompanied by its frequent traumatization, followed by the development of an inflammatory process in it. Therefore, it is better to remove the hygromous on the foot immediately after its detection.
• Knee hygromous. It is the most common among the gigrom on the leg. Such a tumor is formed, most often, due to excessive accumulation of synovial fluid in the joint (for example, due to a knee injury).
• Hygroma popliteal (Becker cyst). It also appears due to injuries and inflammation of the knee joint. As the growth of the tumor interferes with walking, especially when bending the knee.

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Symptoms of hygroma on the leg

At the earliest stage of the formation of a tumor on the leg, it does not bring any unpleasant sensations and discomfort. So can last a long time. The following symptoms of hygroma on the foot are noted: 

• palpable spherical formation of a dense and elastic consistency with an even surface; 
• tumor is immobile, because its base is connected with surrounding tissues; 
• Skin and subcutaneous fat over the hygroma retain their mobility; 
• uncomplicated "lump" painless; 
• the general condition of the patient does not suffer, the body temperature and locally above the hygroma within the limits of the norm.

Slowly increasing in size, the hygroma makes itself felt and brings discomfort.

There are such changes in the hygroma on the leg: 

• The tumor is large, painful and interferes with movement; 
• the skin over the hygroma on the leg thickens, becomes rough; 
• skin in the projection of the tumor with its inflammation is hyperemic; 
• when moving and pressing, soreness in the joints is noted;
• unaesthetic appearance of the limb.

The wall of the tumor is represented by a dense connective tissue. The base of the hygroma is represented by a broad pedicle, closely connected with the joint capsule or the tendon synovial membrane. It is filled with a gelatinous substance of a transparent and slightly yellowish color. Hygroma is not prone to degeneration into a malignant tumor.

Hygroma on toe

Hygroma on the toe often occurs on the back of its surface. Such a tumor is painless, but due to the constant friction of the shoes when walking, it is traumatized. As a result of which the process of inflammation develops, education becomes painful, especially when moving. In addition, as the hygroma grows, the numbness of the nerves and blood vessels is squeezed on the finger, which increases its soreness and disrupts the local blood circulation. Therefore, the tumor located on the toe is best removed as soon as it is found.

Hygroma on the foot of a child

Hygroma on the foot of a child is not a frequent occurrence. The child may have a genetic propensity to form a tumor, and maybe because of intense sports (for example, dancing, running). Clinical symptoms of hygroma on the leg in children are the same as in adults. If a baby is found on the leg, it is necessary to seek the help of a specialist (a pediatric surgeon) in order to start its therapy in time and prevent its progression (complication). Typically, the removal of such tumors in children under 10 years of age is performed under general anesthesia.

Diagnosis of the hygroma on the leg

Diagnosis of the hygroma on the leg is not difficult. An experienced specialist (surgeon, orthopedist) will be adequately examined, palpation of the tumor and data of anamnesis (medical history). If necessary, additional methods of examination will be prescribed (to exclude a malignant tumor or abscess), such as: 

• radiography of joints, 
• puncture, 
• ultrasound diagnosis (USD), will determine the structure of education and determine the presence or absence of blood vessels in it, 
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

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Treatment of hygroma on the leg

There are conservative and surgical therapy of hygroma on the leg.

Conservative treatment at an early stage is to conduct

1. Physiotherapy procedures, such as: 
   • mud treatment; 
   • electrophoresis; 
   • UV irradiation 
   • paraffin applications; 
   • heat treatment, etc. 
2. Also, puncture is often used in therapy. When the puncture is performed through the puncture needle, the tumor content is sucked off and sclerosing preparations (doxycycline, 96% alcohol) are injected into the cleared cavity (cavity), then a pressure bandage is applied. The limb is immobilized on average for a week, so that the tendon temporarily does not function, and reduce the formation of synovial fluid. The negative side of this method is the frequent relapse of the hygroma, since its shell remains inside. 
3. There is another method of crushing the hygroma, it is very painful. It consists in the crushing of the bag, as a result of which all its contents fall into the surrounding tissues. With this method, the risk of infection and further relapse is high. 
4. Alternative methods of hygroma therapy on the leg. 
   • Therapy with cabbage juice. Fresh juice of cabbage it is necessary to drink daily one glass a month. Fresh juice stored no more than 24 hours. 
   • A cabbage leaf, smeared with honey, is applied to the tumor area at bedtime every day. 
   • Alcoholic lotions (70% ethyl alcohol). Spirituous lotion (gauze soaked with alcohol) is covered with cellophane, towel and left overnight. Do lotions every two days. 
   • Juice of an age-old (aloe) and honey in equal parts to knead with flour, to make a cake, to put on a hygroma before going to bed. Wrap over cellophane and towel. 
   • Therapy with celandine juice. Gauze or bandage should be well moistened with celandine juice, top covered with a plastic bag and a towel, left overnight. The procedure should be carried out every three days. 
   • Treatment with a copper coin or plate. A coin larger than the hygroma must be calcined, rinsed in saline solution, applied to the formation and bandaged. Leave for three days, then remove the bandage and do the same. 
   • Use of red clay. In 100 ml of water, add two teaspoons of sea salt and one glass of dry red clay, mix thoroughly. Apply this mixture on a hygromous and well bandaged. As the dressing dries, moisten with warm water throughout the day. Then remove the bandage for 2 hours, and then apply again. Such therapy is ten days. 
   • Use of physalis. Its fruits are ground, the resulting gruel is applied to the area of the tumor, the top is applied cellophane and blotted overnight. In the morning, the bandage is removed, and in the evening the procedure is repeated and so for twenty days. 
   • You can apply a well-ground wormwood on the tumor area, cover with polyethylene and a towel, and leave for the whole night.

If you are engaged in self-treatment of hygroma on the leg by alternative methods - do not overdo it. In the case of progression of the tumor: increasing its size, the appearance of pain, inflammation in the field of education, it is necessary to immediately seek help from a specialist (surgeon).

Removal of the hygroma on the leg

Indications for removal of hygroma on the leg:

1. Large tumor size. 
2. The rapid growth of the gyrom. 
3. Inflammation, suppuration and soreness. 
4. The tumor limits movement in the limbs, prevents walking. 
5. Soreness and inflammation of the joints. 
6. Unaesthetic.

Removal of hygroma on the leg is performed under local anesthesia, and in children under 10 years of age - under general anesthesia. The tumor is removed by the method of complete excision of its dense capsule without affecting healthy tissues. Then the wound is sutured and a bandage is applied. The operation lasts an average of half an hour. This method is considered quite effective, because there is practically no relapse in the field.

There is a method of laser removal. When the laser heats the tumor to its full destruction, while the surrounding (healthy) tissues are not affected. The positive side of this method: rapid healing of the wound, does not leave scars and scars.

Prevention of hygroma on the leg

Prevention of hygroma on the leg is aimed at excluding causative factors and consists in the following. 

1. Avoid injury to the joints of the lower extremities. 
2. Wear comfortable shoes. 
3. Do not overdo physical exercise, sports. 
4. At heavy loads (for example, loaders) they are evenly distributed on joints of extremities. 
5. If it is planned to work hard, you need to use elastic bandages and bandages, they fix the joints. 
6. In time, treat inflammatory diseases of the joints and tendons of muscles (bursitis, tendovaginitis). 
7. When injuries of the lower extremities, especially in the joints, it is advisable to seek medical help. Timely therapy of joints will avoid further occurrence of tumors.

Forecast hygroma on the leg

The prognosis of hygroma on the leg is favorable in relation to life, and relatively favorable in relation to labor activity. Because a tumor can reach huge proportions and contribute to the disability of a person, as a result of which professional activity (for example, athletes - skiers, skaters, etc.) will be impossible.

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