Painful Nodule in Knee for Years - Then All of a Sudden
October 6, 2014 9:46 AM Subscribe
IKYKMD - So I have this tiny nodule that was oh so painful - right around my knee - it would be so painful and BURNING that it would keep me up at night. Then, all of a sudden, out of the blue yesterday it started itching like crazy and it just start opening up and slightly oozing something - a liquid - wasn't pus and it wasn't blood. Have absolutely zero idea what this is. Right now it's still doing it's thing.
It's been just a nodule for years up until now - really painful from time to time. Now it just decided to open up and do its thing. What the heck is it? Doctors were not helpful and just mentioned something like a nerve knot. Any ideas, thanks in advance.
It's been just a nodule for years up until now - really painful from time to time. Now it just decided to open up and do its thing. What the heck is it? Doctors were not helpful and just mentioned something like a nerve knot. Any ideas, thanks in advance.
Response by poster: No - it was just below the surface of the skin, in the tissue - nothing to do with tendons or muscles.
posted by watercarrier at 9:51 AM on October 6, 2014
posted by watercarrier at 9:51 AM on October 6, 2014
Have you been to the doctor since this sudden change? I know that they haven't been helpful in the past, but this is a brand new thing it's doing that may be either a) cause for concern, or b) at least new information that could help them figure out what's going on.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:56 AM on October 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:56 AM on October 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
I've had similar kinds of experiences from ingrown hairs. Although doctors never had any trouble diagnosing them.
posted by mskyle at 9:57 AM on October 6, 2014
posted by mskyle at 9:57 AM on October 6, 2014
Response by poster: Only went once to the dermatologist - who said it was this knot - and there was really nothing to do about it except maybe to do an extraction which I turned down. So I guess nature just took its own course here?
posted by watercarrier at 9:57 AM on October 6, 2014
posted by watercarrier at 9:57 AM on October 6, 2014
Response by poster: Mind you this was NOT an ingrown hair - those are boils - this was never infected on the surface. No tell-tail signs at all - BUT palpable. Felt like a tiny marble just under the surface of the skin - and really a SOB pain like hell from time to time at night specifically.
posted by watercarrier at 10:00 AM on October 6, 2014
posted by watercarrier at 10:00 AM on October 6, 2014
Did you ever skin your knee on a gravel or mulch surface? I've known about pieces getting stuck for years, but people not realizing it until the pieces started working themselves out.
posted by jenny76 at 10:00 AM on October 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by jenny76 at 10:00 AM on October 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Heh - Jenny - thought about that - also thought about it being an alien implant - but for the life of me - no - wasn't either. Just out of the blue this cyst-like nodule just appeared. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemies either. So now it just took on another phase and I'm wondering wth is it and what is it doing.
posted by watercarrier at 10:04 AM on October 6, 2014
posted by watercarrier at 10:04 AM on October 6, 2014
Best answer: Sebaceous cyst is another possibility. Now that it is open and draining, the dermatologist might recognize it.
I treat mine with a hot water bottle when it gets tender.
posted by Bruce H. at 10:07 AM on October 6, 2014 [3 favorites]
I treat mine with a hot water bottle when it gets tender.
posted by Bruce H. at 10:07 AM on October 6, 2014 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Well, I have no idea what a nerve knot is, but the liquid you see is probably lymph; this often oozes out of wounds. I would keep it clean and put an antibiotic ointment on it.
But, my friend: when you have something for years that is so painful that it keeps you up at night, it seems like a good time to take your doctor's advice and have it extracted or go see another doctor!
posted by girl flaneur at 10:07 AM on October 6, 2014 [9 favorites]
But, my friend: when you have something for years that is so painful that it keeps you up at night, it seems like a good time to take your doctor's advice and have it extracted or go see another doctor!
posted by girl flaneur at 10:07 AM on October 6, 2014 [9 favorites]
Response by poster: I think it might be a sebaceous cyst. It's not so easy to find good doctors when you're on the road. Hence good ol ask meta. Yeah heat - ok - I'm thinking also some kind of antibiotic as well - at least at this stage.
posted by watercarrier at 10:11 AM on October 6, 2014
posted by watercarrier at 10:11 AM on October 6, 2014
Which merits a trip to a doctor who can diagnose and prescribe the best thing for you.
Because while the internet is wonderful for ideas and support, medical issues should be handled by medical professionals. So head on over to the Minute Clinic or and Urgent Care and have that thing looked at.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:33 PM on October 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
Because while the internet is wonderful for ideas and support, medical issues should be handled by medical professionals. So head on over to the Minute Clinic or and Urgent Care and have that thing looked at.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:33 PM on October 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I came in to say sebaceous cyst or wen as well. This is gross, but the inside of them tends to be filled with a cheesy stuff that smells bad. You want to get that stuff out, too. Hot compresses and possibly lancing for that. They get infected really easily, so watch for signs of infection.
posted by persona au gratin at 12:14 AM on October 7, 2014
posted by persona au gratin at 12:14 AM on October 7, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by colin_l at 9:47 AM on October 6, 2014