Bone Cyst
You have a bone cyst. This is a hole, or cavity, inside your bone that's filled with fluid. It looks like a hollow spot in the bone on an X-ray. It's a benign condition. This means it is not cancer.
Experts don’t know what causes bone cysts. Most bone cysts don't cause any symptoms. They are often found on an X-ray that is taken for other reasons. It's possible for a cyst to be large enough to make the bone weak and cause it to break, or fracture. Your health care provider will let you know if you are at risk for this.
If you have no symptoms and if the cyst does not put you at risk for a broken bone, no treatment is needed. You may have repeat X-rays over time to watch for any changes.
If the bone cyst causes symptoms or puts you at risk for a broken bone, then the cyst can be drained and injected with a steroid. Or the hole may be filled using a bone graft. This is bone taken from a donor, or from another bone in your body. A man-made substance that is like bone may also be used. If a break does occur at the cyst area, surgery may be needed.
Home care
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If there are no symptoms, then no special care is needed. The bone cyst is not a reason to change your normal activity level.
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You may use over-the-counter pain medicine to control pain, unless another medicine was prescribed. Talk with your provider before using these medicines if you have chronic liver or kidney disease, or ever had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your health care provider as advised.
When to get medical advice
Contact your health care provider if you have:
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Sudden pain in the affected arm or leg.
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Redness, warmth, or a deformity.
Online Medical Reviewer:
Rahul Banerjee MD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Raymond Turley Jr PA-C
Online Medical Reviewer:
Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN
Date Last Reviewed:
3/1/2025
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