Baker’s Cyst

Baker’s Cyst is a lump containing synovial fluid, or joint fluid. It develops behind the knees. It is also known as popliteal cyst. Injury or inflammation of the lining membrane at the joint can cause formation of Baker’s cyst. People having rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis are prone to Baker’s cyst. Children may also develop this, reasons for which are unknown. It appears in various sizes, but pain or discomfort does not associate with it. The cyst may burst, but it is occasional. The bursting of the cyst results in pain and swelling. The pain is felt behind and the knee and radiates to the calf muscles too. It subsides naturally in most of the cases, but surgery becomes necessary some times for removal of the cyst. Particularly, when the cyst is too large, it may require surgical removal.

What are the exact causes of Baker’s cyst

This happens due to excess production of synovial fluid. Damage to the knee causes this excess production. The increase in synovial fluid level causes pressure, resulting in bulging of the lining at the back of the knee. This swelling is Baker’s cyst. Most of the rheumatic arthritis and osteoarthritis develop Baker’s cyst.

What are the symptoms for Baker’s cyst

There are cases of Baker’s cyst without any symptom too. The main symptom is the swelling behind the knee. However, the size may differ with persons. When the size is too large, the problems are more. Besides the size, pain and/or discomfort may also be a symptom. The patient could feel the pressure in standing position. At the same time, bending the knee also could be difficult.

How Baker’s cyst is diagnosed

The doctor examines the back of the knee. Using a light the doctor assesses the level of accumulation of synovial fluid present in the cyst. Contrasting the affected knee with a normal one could help the diagnosis. If there is meniscal tear, you cannot move the knee to full extent. This causes knee pain. Swelling may be there with tenderness. The x-ray is not useful as it does not show the meniscal tear. X-ray may reveal if any other abnormalities are present. It can depict arthritis. However, MRI scan can show the cyst and the meniscal tear too.

How to treat Baker’s cyst

Baker’s cyst causes inflammation of the lining membrane at the joint of the knee. A supporting bandage can bring down the severity of this problem. The bandage has to be wrapped around the knee. This bandage provides compression. Simultaneously, the Baker’s cyst is treated with medication containing anti-inflammatory drugs. This applies to small size cysts. When the cyst is large and gives pain, surgical treatment is the only resort.

Generally Baker’s cyst is not associated with pain, and as such, treatment is not required in most of the cases. The cyst requires treatment only when there is a rupture, as the rupture causes leakage of fluid. This fluid gets into the gap between muscle layers in the calf. Usually the cyst with rupture causes pain to some extent and it has swelling too.