Hygroma is a benign tumor in the form of a cyst in the cavity or near the periarticular bag. Its membrane consists of a modified dense connective tissue, and the viscous content is a serous fluid with the addition of fibrin or mucus protein.
- Causes of
- Symptoms of
- Than
- is dangerous Diagnosis
- Treatment of
- Treatment with folk remedies
- Prevention
According to statistics, the weaker sex suffers from this pathology 3 times more often than men. This is due to the fact that a less hardy woman has to carry a lot of baby, the weight of which is constantly increasing. Therefore, most cases of the disease occur in a relatively young age - from 20 to 30 years. Hygromes are rare in children and elderly people.
Theoretically, the hygroma can appear anywhere, where there is connective tissue. However, in practice, hygromas usually occur in the distal extremity. First place in the prevalence occupy hygromes on the back surface of the wrist( wrist).Less common are hygromas on the palm, on the hand and fingers, under the knee, as well as on the foot and ankle joint.
The hygroma can be similar to the edema of the synovial bag and have weakly expressed signs of inflammatory processes. In some cases, blood is mixed with the fluid inside the hygroma. In most cases, the hygroma has thickened walls, cartilaginous density, adhesion to surrounding tissues.
The inner surface of the bag in the stage of inflammation is covered with proliferating cells, which can lead to the formation of pockets, strings and lintels, dividing the bag into separate chambers. In large hygromas, as a rule, a serous liquid with cholesterol crystals and blood impurities is present, in small formations a thick mass is contained. The hygroma grows and develops slowly, its diameter in most cases does not exceed 6 centimeters.
Reasons for
In most cases, the hygroma is a consequence of the chronic inflammation of the synovial bag that surrounds the joint( this kind of chronic inflammation is called bursitis) or attached to the tendon joint.
Traumatologists also believe that heredity plays a significant role in the formation of the hygroma. In this case, it can develop not only with prolonged systematic trauma or strain, but also after a single injury of the joint bag or tendon.
to table of contents ^Symptoms of
With hygromes of small size, patients generally do not experience discomfort or pain, as the formations cause aesthetic rather than physical discomfort. With an increase in size, pain may appear in the stretched area of the synovial bag, which is significantly enhanced with increased physical activity.
As for the skin over the hygroma, in some cases it can be smooth and mobile, while in others it is thickened and rough. In the absence of inflammation in the walls of the synovial bag, the hygroma can be palpated as a slightly painful, movable round formation with a soft-elastic consistency, a smooth surface.
If the hygroma is opened as a result of the injury, it releases the contents for a long time. When joining the infection, there are local and common signs of inflammation - puffiness, redness.
to contents ^Than
is dangerous. In the initial stage of hygroma development, it does not cause inconveniences and painful sensations; however, as it grows, constant dull pain may appear, which increase after the motor load on the lesion site, and the joint may lose mobility.
The absence of treatment with constant trauma or a load on the hygromic threatens to rupture its shell and form several formations. If the tumor is undergoing inflammatory processes, purulent chronic or acute inflammation of tendons - tendovaginitis - manifests as complications.
Nevertheless, even with the rapid growth of the tumor there is no risk of its degeneration into a malignant formation and the prognosis of its cure is always favorable.
Diagnosis
If the hygroma has a typical surfacelocation, then its diagnosis is not difficult. However, in some cases, the hygroma can be confused with an abscess, benign and malignant neoplasms, artery wall dilatations( aneurysms), and other osteoarticular pathologies. To exclude diseases with similar symptoms, an X-ray examination is performed.
The ultrasound of hygroma is carried out at its deep lying to assess the structure of the cyst( homogeneous or with fluid inside), the presence of blood vessels in the walls of the formation, etc.
MRI of the tumor is much less common - with suspicion of nodal formation. This is necessary for an accurate assessment of the structure of the walls and contents of the hygroma.
The puncture of the contents of the cyst is performed within the framework of differential diagnosis, when it is necessary to exclude other benign soft tissue formations( lipoma, atheroma, etc.).
to the table of contents ^Treatment of
In the initial stages, conservative treatment can be reduced to the use of mud, ozocerite applications, and paraffin therapy, warming up, physiotherapy procedures( for example, ultraviolet irradiation or electrophoresis).
From external agents, anti-inflammatory and absorbable ointments are used: balsamic liniment according to Vishnevsky, Diprospan, Dimexide, Flexen gel, Heparin ointment.
It is often enough to practice puncture gigrom with suction of contents, the introduction of glucocorticoids or sclerosants followed by tight bandaging. Such treatment will be effective only if the patient can for a long time give up the activity that causes trauma to the synovial bag.
When the suppuration of education is puncture, pus is sucked and antibiotics are injected. If necessary, the hygroma is opened, the synovial bag is scraped with a sharp spoon, and the wound is drained to provide an outflow of wound fluid. However, such treatment without surgery is fraught with relapses.
Until recently, the popular method of treatment was crushing the hygroma, but now this method is practically used because of the high soreness, trauma and almost guaranteed relapse of the disease.
If conservative treatment does not give a result or the hygroma constantly recurs, causes distinct painful sensations during movements, has an unaesthetic appearance or grows too fast, the operation is shown - a bursectomy. In this case, the synovial bag is completely excised. To minimize the risk of recurrence, after the operation, gypsum is applied for 2-3 weeks to limit the mobility of the joint for a time, until a scar is formed.
In connection with the development of endoscopic surgical techniques in recent years, this minimally invasive method of gigrom removal is increasingly practiced, which significantly shortens the rehabilitation period after surgery. In addition to the classical removal of a scalpel, laser surgery can also be used.
to contents ^Treatment with folk remedies
Along with conservative and surgical methods are used and folk, but their effectiveness is much lower than the classical treatment. Completely get rid of the hygroma folk remedies will not work, but you can try to reduce its size, pain, especially in the initial stages of the disease.
- Spirituous compress: make a tampon made of gauze, soak with alcohol, attach to the tumor and firmly put the compress on for 2 hours. With sensitive skin after the procedure, it is desirable to lubricate it with a hand cream. Repeat compresses 1-2 times a day until the disappearance of the hygroma or a sufficient reduction in the size.
- Compress of celandine: from 200 grams of crushed stems and leaves of the plant squeeze the juice, nourish them gauze and attach to gigroma. The lotion is wrapped in plastic wrap and left overnight. Repeat procedure once in 3 days.
- Compress from white cabbage: the leaf of the plant is smeared with honey, applied to the tumor, wrapped in a warm cloth for 2-3 hours. Repeat the procedure 1-2 times a day.
- Salt Compress: in 500 milliliters of hot water 3-4 tablespoons of salt are dissolved, preferably sea salt. After cooling with a solution, moisten the skin in the tumor zone, cover the affected area with a warm cloth, preferably woolen, then with a plastic wrap and leave overnight. Duration of treatment is 10 days, then after several days of interruption, you can repeat the course.
Prevention of
The appearance of a hygroma is largely related to a person's way of life, especially if there is a genetic predisposition to such formations. To prevent its formation it is possible with the help of simple rules:
- To symmetrically distribute the constant load on joints, for example, young mothers alternate their hands when carrying a child.
- When performing heavy work or with prolonged loads, protect joints and tendons by special means, for example, wristlets, elastic bandages, etc.
- For any, even minor injuries of the tendons or joints, it is necessary to seek qualified medical care, to bring the prescribed treatment to the full end, especially not to throw it after the onset of noticeable relief.