Preparing for the holidays? I have a Baker's cyst in my right knee. It has been drained twice and recurred. Are there any other treatments for it? Your situation is fairly common. A Baker's cyst also called a popliteal cyst is a fluid-filled sac that can develop in the popliteal space, the hollow at the back of the knee joint.
It's named for William Morrant Baker, a 19th-century surgeon who first described the condition. The cyst is filled with synovial fluid, a viscous material that lubricates the knee joint, reducing friction among the components of the joint and allowing the knee to flex and extend freely. There are several ways to treat a Baker's cyst, but it will often recur if the underlying cause hasn't been addressed.
A Baker's cyst may occur as a result of an injury to the knee, such as a tear in a meniscus, or damage to the cartilage from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. These conditions may cause the synovial cells lining the knee joint to produce excess fluid.
If the fluid bulges into the popliteal space, a cyst can develop see the illustration. The excess fluid can also cause the whole knee to become swollen. A Baker's cyst forms when excess synovial fluid bulges into the hollow at the back of the knee joint. A Baker's cyst is often found incidentally during a physical exam or an ultrasound performed for other reasons. It may cause no symptoms at all or just a bulge at the back of the knee, but it can also cause pain, swelling, and joint stiffness.
Sometimes the bulge is so large that it's hard to fully bend or straighten the leg. Baker's cysts aren't dangerous and they may go away on their own. But occasionally they burst, and if that happens, synovial fluid can leak into the calf below, causing pain, swelling, and reddening. These symptoms resemble those produced by a blood clot in the calf, deep vein thrombosis DVT , a serious condition that requires immediate treatment.
That's why it's important to find the source of the problem right away. The cyst may enlarge, which may cause redness and swelling. The cyst may also rupture, causing warmth, redness, and pain in your calf. The symptoms may be the same as a blood clot in the veins of the legs.
Rupture can also lead to its own complications, such as:. If your cyst starts causing mild symptoms, plan to see your healthcare provider soon. See them right away if your leg is red and swollen. These symptoms may mean your Baker cyst has ruptured. Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:. Skip to content. Baker Cyst Not what you're looking for? Start New Search. What is a Baker cyst? What causes a Baker cyst? Who is at risk for a Baker cyst?
You may be more likely to get a Baker cyst if you have other problems of the knee joint, such as: Osteoarthritis of the knee Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee Tearing of the pads of cartilage menisci inside the knee Infectious arthritis. What are the symptoms of a Baker cyst?
If you do have symptoms, they may include: Pain in the back of the knee Knee stiffness Sense of swelling or fullness behind the knee, especially when you straighten your leg A swelling behind the knee that goes away when you bend your knee These symptoms tend to get worse when standing for a long time or being active. How is a Baker cyst diagnosed? If the cause of your symptoms isn't clear, you may have imaging tests, such as: Ultrasound, to view the cyst in more detail X-ray, to get more information about the bones of the joint MRI, if the diagnosis is still unclear after ultrasound or your provider is considering surgery.
How is a Baker cyst treated? Other treatments for a Baker cyst can include: Over-the-counter pain medicines Arthrocentesis to removes excess fluid from the joint space Steroid injection into the joint to reduce cyst size Surgery to remove the cyst Most Baker cysts go away without surgery.
What are possible complications of a Baker cyst? Rupture can also lead to its own complications, such as: Trapping of a tibial nerve. This causes calf pain and numbness behind the leg. It can be treated with arthrocentesis and steroid injections. Blockage of the popliteal artery. This causes pain and lack of blood flow to the leg. It can also be treated with arthrocentesis and steroid injections. Compartment syndrome. This causes intense pain and problems moving the foot or toes.
Compartment syndrome is a medical emergency. It needs immediate surgery. It can lead to permanent muscle damage if not treated right away. When should I call my healthcare provider? Key points about Baker cysts A Baker cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms behind the knee. Bones muscles and joints. Home Bones muscles and joints.
Baker's cyst. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. What are the symptoms of a Baker's cyst? What causes a Baker's cyst? What are possible complications of a Baker's cyst?
How is a Baker's cyst diagnosed? How can Baker's cysts be prevented? Where to get help. Often there are no symptoms and you may not even know you have a cyst. If symptoms do occur, they can include: a lump or swelling behind the knee pain stiffness or tightness at the back of the knee.
Some of the common causes of a Baker's cyst include: injury — trauma or injury to the knee that can cause a build-up of excess fluid torn cartilage —cartilage is a thin cushion on the ends of your bones arthritis — particularly rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis infection —can cause fluid to build up around the knee joint unknown causes — Baker's cysts can sometimes develop for no apparent reason. If you experience any swelling or warmth in your calf, seek medical advice quickly.
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