Bone cysts are not always treated

A bone cyst may not need treatment if it's small and not causing any problems.

They often get better on their own, especially in children and teenagers.

You may have regular X-rays for a few years to check your bone is healing and the cyst is not getting bigger.

Treatments for bone cysts

• A bone cyst might need to be treated if it's:
• Knee swelling
• large or getting bigger – this could make the bone weaker and more likely to break (fracture) if you injure it
• causing problems like pain, swelling or a lump
• The main treatments are:

draining the fluid with a needle and injecting medicine into the bone to help it heal – this may need to be done several times over a few months

cutting or scraping out the cyst – the hole may be filled with small pieces of bone taken from another part of your body or from a donor, or with a bone cement mixture

Treatment is done under general anaesthetic. You will not usually need to stay in hospital overnight.

Recovering after treatment

It normally takes at least a few months for the bone to heal.

You may need to avoid activities or sports that could damage the bone until it has healed.

You'll have regular X-rays for a few years to check it's getting better.