What is a Baker cyst?

A Baker cyst is the little, fluid-filled lump on your knee's back. Healthcare providers sometimes call Baker cysts popliteal cysts or synovial cysts. They all refer to the same thing.

Baker cysts occur when anything injures your knee joint or the tissues surrounding it and fluid leaks out of your knee. But the fluid can leak only one way: out the back of your joint. That accumulation forms the sac that becomes a Baker cyst. Baker cysts are benign growths. That means they are not tumors and are never a sign of (and do not cause) cancer. If you have arthritis or recently hurt your knee, you should consult a medical practitioner immediately if you notice a new growth or bump behind the knee.

What are the symptoms of Baker cyst?

The most obvious symptom of Baker cyst is the enlargement or mass behind your knee. Other frequent symptoms of Baker cysts include;

• Knee pain
• Stiffness
• Difficulty bending your knee as far as you normally can (limited range of motion).
• Swelling inside or on the side of your leg near your knee.

Some individuals with a Baker cyst do not have symptoms. You may never know you have one unless a healthcare provider notices it while diagnosing other conditions or issues affecting your knee.

Baker cysts may sometimes cause swelling and discoloration of the leg below the knee, with symptoms just like those of a blood clot. A blood clot is a medical emergency. If you suspect you might have a blood clot, call for immediate medical attention. Your provider can work up your signs to determine if it's the case of a Baker cyst or a blood clot.

What causes Baker cysts?

Anything that hurts your knee joint can lead to swelling, thus triggering a Baker cyst. The most common causes are various forms of arthritis and injuries.

The common forms of arthritis that cause Baker cysts include:

• Osteoarthritis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Gout.

If you suffer from an injury in your knee, damage to the knee joint can cause swelling that result in a Baker cyst. Baker cysts in the knee due to injuries include:

• Repetitive strain injuries- such as overuse injuries.
• Tears in the meniscus.
• Hyperextensions.
• Sprains.
• Dislocations.
• Bone fractures.

Injuries to the knee ligaments cause Baker cysts, which include:

• ACL tears.
• MCL tears.
• LCL tears.
• PCL tears.

What are the Risk factors for developing Baker cyst?

A Baker cyst can occur in anybody, particularly in those with arthritis or those who have been injured. Several demographic groups are more susceptible to Baker cyst development, including:

• People 35 to 70 years old.
• Sporting people or athletes.
• Those putting much pressure on their knees at work or while engaging in hobby-related activities.
• People suffering from arthritis.

What are complications of Baker cyst?

The most common complication of a Baker cyst is rupturing, or breaking. A ruptured Baker cyst is when the fluid-filled sac around the cyst fills too quickly or with too much pressure and bursts. If you ever accidentally overfilled a water balloon, you know what happens when fluid flows into a thin, rubbery container with too much pressure-it pops.

Other signs and symptoms inside your knee and lower leg may develop as a result of a ruptured Baker cyst, such as a sharp stabbing pain in your knee or calf; swelling in your calf and lower leg; the sensation of having water running down your leg, but inside your body; nerve damage; and compartment syndrome, or increased pressure within your muscles that hurts you. How are Baker cysts diagnosed?

A healthcare professional will diagnose a Baker cyst through a physical exam. He or she will check your leg for a lump on the back of your knee. Inform your provider about when you first noticed the bump and whether you have other symptoms. If you've injured your knee, let your provider know what you did before the injury.

What tests do health care professionals use to diagnose a Baker cyst?

Your physician may use several imaging procedures to confirm if you have a Baker cyst, including:

• X-rays.
• Ultrasound.
• MRI.
• Treatment and Therapy

How is Baker cysts treated?

Your health care provider will commonly treat the underlying condition causing a Baker cyst, not the cyst itself. The cyst will generally disappear once the damage in your knee that caused the cyst is healed. Which type of treatment you might need depends on your injury or condition.

RICE method:

Most minor injuries can be treated by the RICE method:

• Rest: The person should stop engaging in that particular physical activity to avoid aggravating the injury.
• Ice: Place an ice pack or cold compress on your injured area for 10 to 15 minutes every hour for the first hour following your injury. After that, you can use ice for three to four hours. Do not put the ice against your skin; wrap it in a towel or cloth.
• Compression: Compression decreases blood flow toward your injured knee and minimizes swelling. You can apply a compression bandage or wrap around your knee. Additionally, you could wear compression pants to ensure pressure on your knee.
• Elevation: Always elevate your knee and lower leg as high as possible above your heart. Support your leg using pillows, blankets, or cushions.

Medications:

Your doctor may advise you on medication for relieving the pain and minimizing swelling.

Most people can take over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®). However, do not take these medicines for more than 10 days in a row without talking to your doctor.

Your doctor may prescribe prescription corticosteroids or injections of cortisone.

Physical therapy:

He might also recommend physical therapy if you have an injury or arthritis. You will learn from the physical therapist how to strengthen the muscles around your knee using stretches and exercises.

Knee surgery:

You will need knee surgery if you would have tears in the cartilage or ligaments around your knee, or if you broke a bone.

It's rare, but sometimes you might have to have an operation to drain or shave away a Baker cyst if it causes severe pain or interferes with the movement of your knee.

Your surgeon will let you know which kind of surgery you'll need and what you can expect during your recovery.

Can you prevent a Baker cyst?

Reducing your risk of knee injuries is the best approach to avoiding a Baker cyst. During athletic events or other physical pursuits:

• Wear appropriate protective equipment.
• Do not "play through the pain." If your knee aches during, after, or both during and following physical activity, stop and rest it.
• Let your body rest and recover after intense physical activity.
• Stretch and warm up before playing sports or performing a workout.
• Cool down and stretch after you have exercised.
• Adhere to these general safety guidelines to reduce your risk of injury
• Ensure your home and work environment are free from tripping hazards that may have collected.
• Always be using proper home equipment to get things. Never stand on chairs, tables, or countertops.
• Use a cane or walker if you have leg weakness and/or other factors that increase your fall risk.

How long will a Baker cyst last?

Depending on the cause of the Baker cyst, it will persist for some time. Most Baker cysts are self-limiting; they will resolve when the swelling subsides and your knee heals, which may take a few weeks.

What are the complications of an untreated Baker cyst?

A Baker cyst can resolve independently, but you should always seek a healthcare provider when you notice any new lumps or growths on your body. Even if you do not need treatment, a provider has to diagnose a Baker cyst and make sure it is not something more serious.

As the cyst heals, fluid in the cyst is absorbed by your body. Follow your provider's instructions to allow your knee to heal and avoid further injury.

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When should I see my health care provider?

Go see a doctor immediately if you feel a lump on your leg; it may be important enough to get diagnosed. A doctor could determine whether it is a Baker cyst or something more serious, like a blood clot.

To seek an expert consultation for any orthopedic condition.

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