Soft Lump Beneath the Knee
Greetings, I am a 35-year-old woman, standing 5'4" and weighing 180 pounds. I smoke and currently am not on any medications. Recently, I discovered a lump located 2 inches below my knee. It measures around 2 inches in length and about half an inch in width, oriented diagonally from my kneecap towards the inside of my leg. This lump is not visible; I can only detect it by touch, although the area may appear slightly pink at times—barely perceptible given my very fair skin tone. I first noticed this lump approximately three months ago while I was in the shower. At that moment, I felt some alarm but chose to disregard it until the present. Recently, I've begun to experience mild discomfort associated with it, although the pain is so slight that I haven’t resorted to taking paracetamol. The lump has a somewhat squishy texture; I can press my finger into it, and it feels both soft yet firm at the same time. I’ve scheduled an appointment with my general practitioner for next week. In the meantime, I am curious about what this lump might indicate. To add a possibly unrelated detail, the lump sits just beneath a black mole that I have. I had this mole assessed by a dermatologist around four years ago, and it was deemed non-concerning at that time; it has not changed since that evaluation. Additionally, I sustained an injury to my knee on the same leg approximately six years ago, which I never sought medical attention for. The incident occurred when I attempted to stand from a chair while my leg was slightly bent, resulting in a cracking sound. I experienced intense pain in my knee for about a month, but it gradually diminished, and I have not encountered any problems since. I am uncertain about the nature of this lump and whether it could be a fatty deposit or perhaps fluid accumulation?
Answers (1)
3/18/2025, 8:50:37 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about the lump you've discovered beneath your knee. While it's great that you've scheduled an appointment with your general practitioner, I can help provide some context about what this lump may indicate.
Main Points:
- The lump you described could be several things, including a lipoma (a benign fatty tumor), a cyst, or a swollen lymph node among other possibilities.
- Given your past knee injury, it could also be scar tissue or a result of localized inflammation.
- It's good that you're experiencing only mild discomfort, but monitoring the lump is important.
Explanation: A soft lump under the skin can often be benign (non-cancerous) like a lipoma, which is a collection of fat cells, or it could be a cyst filled with fluid. The fact that it is soft and squishy suggests it might not be a hard mass, which can sometimes be a reassuring sign. The mildly pink appearance at times could be related to inflammation or irritation, but it's important to get it checked out. The injury you had years ago could contribute to changes in the tissue structure in that area, leading to these developments.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on the lump for any changes in size, shape, or consistency. Take note of any increase in pain or discomfort.
- Avoid Irritating Activities: Try to minimize activities that may aggravate your knee, such as extensive kneeling, squatting, or heavy lifting.
- Document Your Observations: Before your appointment, note down any additional symptoms, when they occur, and any activities that seem to worsen or relieve discomfort. This will help your doctor assess the situation more effectively.
- Prepare for Your Appointment: Bring any relevant medical history, including your past knee injury and the evaluation of the mole, to your doctor. This information can provide context for your symptoms and help in the diagnosis.
It's good to remain calm and gather information until you see your doctor. Early evaluation and clarification are key to peace of mind and effective management. Let me know if you have any more questions!
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