Hygroma on the foot - what to do?

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

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Causes of hygroma on the leg

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

• inflammatory process in the synovial membrane of the fibrous sheath of muscle tendons (tendonitis),
• inflammation of the mucous sac near the joints (bursitis),
• systematic physical stress on the tendon sheaths of muscles and joints of the lower extremities (in athletes: skiers, skaters or heavy industry workers, loaders, etc.),
• frequent trauma to joints and muscle tendons (in athletes, in workers of certain professions),
• poorly treated injuries,
• genetic predisposition.

According to statistics, hygromas are found in women 3 times more often than in men. They are observed mainly in young people of twenty to thirty years of age. In old age and childhood, the tumor is rare.

Depending on the location of the hygroma on the leg, a distinction is made between:

• Hygroma of the foot. This tumor usually forms in the area of the ankle joints or on the back of the metatarsophalangeal 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, with the subsequent development of an inflammatory process in it. Therefore, it is better to remove a hygroma on the foot immediately after its detection.
• Knee hygroma. It is the most common among hygromas 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).
• Popliteal hygroma (Becker's cyst). Also appears as a result of injuries and inflammations of the knee joint. As the tumor grows, it interferes with walking, especially when bending the knee.

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Symptoms of hygroma on the leg

At the earliest stage of tumor formation on the leg, it does not cause any unpleasant sensations or discomfort. This can continue for a long time. The following symptoms of hygroma on the leg are noted:

• a spherical formation of dense and elastic consistency with a smooth surface is palpated;
• the tumor is immobile, since its base is connected to the surrounding tissues;
• the skin and subcutaneous fat tissue above the hygroma retain their mobility;
• uncomplicated "lump" is painless;
• the patient's general condition is not affected, body temperature and local temperature above the hygroma are within normal limits.

Slowly increasing in size, the hygroma makes itself known and causes discomfort.

The following changes occur in hygromas on the leg:

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

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

Hygroma on the toe

A hygroma on the toe most often appears on its dorsal surface. Such a tumor is painless, but due to constant friction with shoes when walking, it is traumatized. As a result, an inflammatory process develops, the formation becomes painful, especially when moving. In addition, as the hygroma grows on the toe, it compresses nearby nerves and blood vessels, which increases its pain and disrupts local blood circulation. Therefore, it is better to remove a tumor located on the toe as soon as it is discovered.

Hygroma on a child's leg

A ganglion cyst on a child's leg is not a common occurrence. A child may have a genetic predisposition to developing a tumor, or it may be due to intense sports activities (e.g., dancing, running). The clinical symptoms of ganglion cysts on a child's leg are the same as those in adults. If a ganglion cyst is detected on a child's leg, it is necessary to seek help from a specialist (pediatric surgeon) in order to begin its treatment in a timely manner and prevent its progression (complication). Usually, the removal of such tumors in children under ten years of age is performed under general anesthesia.

Diagnosis of hygroma on the leg

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

• X-ray of joints,
• puncture,
• ultrasound diagnostics (USD) will allow us to determine the structure of the formation 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 treatments for hygroma on the leg.

Conservative treatment at an early stage consists of

1. Physiotherapy procedures such as:
   • mud therapy;
   • electrophoresis;
   • UV irradiation
   • paraffin applications;
   • heat therapy, etc.
2. Puncture is also often used in therapy. When performing a puncture, the contents of the tumor are sucked out through a puncture needle and sclerosing drugs (doxycycline, 96% alcohol) are introduced into the cleaned cavern (cavity), then a pressure bandage is applied. The limb is immobilized for an average of a week so that the tendon does not function temporarily and reduces the formation of synovial fluid. The negative side of this method is frequent relapses of hygroma, since its membrane remains inside.
3. There is also a method of crushing the hygroma, it is very painful. It consists of crushing the sac, as a result of which all its contents get into the surrounding tissues. With this method, there is a high risk of infection and further relapses.
4. Traditional methods of treating hygroma on the leg.
   • Cabbage juice therapy. Fresh cabbage juice should be drunk daily, one glass at a time, for a month. Fresh juice should be stored for no more than 24 hours.
   • A cabbage leaf soaked in honey is applied to the area of the tumor before going to bed every day.
   • Alcohol poultices (70% ethyl alcohol). Cover the alcohol poultice (gauze soaked in alcohol) with cellophane, a towel and leave overnight. Do poultices every two days.
   • Mix equal parts of aloe juice and honey with flour, make a flat cake, and apply it to the hygroma before going to bed. Wrap it with cellophane and a towel.
   • Celandine juice therapy. Gauze or bandage should be thoroughly soaked in celandine juice, covered with a plastic bag and towel, and left overnight. The procedure should be carried out every three days.
   • Treatment with a copper coin or plate. A coin larger than the size of the hygroma must be calcined, washed in a saline solution, applied to the formation and bandaged. Leave for three days, then remove the bandage and do the same.
   • Using red clay. Add two teaspoons of sea salt and one glass of dry red clay to 100 ml of water and mix thoroughly. Apply this mixture to the hygroma and bandage well. As the bandage dries, it is necessary to moisten it with warm water for 24 hours. Then remove the bandage for 2 hours and then apply it again. This therapy lasts ten days.
   • Use of physalis. Its fruits are crushed, the resulting gruel is applied to the tumor area, cellophane is applied on top and bandaged overnight. In the morning, the bandage is removed, and in the evening the procedure is repeated and so on for twenty days.
   • You can apply finely chopped wormwood to the area of the tumor, cover with plastic and a towel, and leave overnight.

If you are self-treating a hygroma on your leg using folk methods, do not overdo it. If the tumor progresses: its size increases, pain appears, inflammation occurs in the area of the tumor, you must immediately seek help from a specialist (surgeon).

Removal of hygroma on the leg

Indications for removal of hygroma on the leg:

1. Large tumor size.
2. Rapid growth of gyroma.
3. Inflammation, suppuration and pain.
4. The tumor limits movement in the limbs and interferes with walking.
5. Pain and inflammation of the joints.
6. Unaesthetic.

Removal of a 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 completely excising its dense capsule, without affecting healthy tissue. After that, the wound is sutured and a bandage is applied. The operation lasts on average half an hour. This method is considered quite effective, since there are practically no relapses after it.

There is a method of removal using a laser. When a laser heats the tumor until it is completely destroyed, while the surrounding (healthy) tissues are not affected. The positive aspects of this method: rapid wound healing, does not leave scars.

Prevention of hygroma on the leg

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

1. Avoid injury to the joints of the lower extremities.
2. Wear comfortable shoes.
3. Do not overdo it with physical activity or sports.
4. In case of heavy loads (for example, loaders), distribute them evenly across the joints of the limbs.
5. If heavy physical work is planned, it is necessary to use elastic bandages and dressings, they fix the joints.
6. Treat inflammatory diseases of the joints and muscle tendons (bursitis, tendovaginitis) in a timely manner.
7. In case of injuries to the lower extremities, especially in the area of joints, it is advisable to seek medical help. Timely therapy of joints will help to avoid the occurrence of tumors in the future.

Prognosis of hygroma on the leg

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

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