Baker Cyst

What’s a Baker cyst?

A Baker cyst is a fluid-filled sac that varieties behind the knee. It is also called a popliteal cyst or popliteal synovial cyst.

The knee is a fancy joint that has many elements. The decrease finish of the thighbone (femur) rotates on the higher finish of the shinbone (tibia). The knee joint is full of a particular fluid (synovial fluid) that cushions the joint.

A Baker cyst varieties when an harm or illness causes further synovial fluid to leak into the additional area behind the knee.

Baker cysts are widespread in each adults and youngsters. However they’re extra widespread as an individual will get older.

What causes a Baker cyst?

Damage or a knee dysfunction can change the traditional construction of the knee joint. This may trigger a cyst to kind.

The synovial fluid contained in the joint area might construct up because of harm or illness. Because the stress builds up, the fluid might bulge into the again of the knee. This may trigger the cyst.

Who’s in danger for a Baker cyst?

Chances are you’ll be extra more likely to get a Baker cyst if in case you have different issues of the knee joint, resembling:

Osteoarthritis of the knee

Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee

Tearing of the pads of cartilage (menisci) contained in the knee

Infectious arthritis

What are the signs of a Baker cyst?

A Baker cyst typically doesn’t trigger signs. A cyst will extra typically be seen on an imaging check, like MRI, executed for different causes. In case you do have signs, they could embody:

Ache at the back of the knee

Knee stiffness

Sense of swelling or fullness behind the knee, particularly once you straighten your leg

A swelling behind the knee that goes away once you bend your knee

These signs are likely to worsen when standing for a very long time or being energetic.

In case you have one other downside along with your knee, you might need extra signs. For instance, if in case you have osteoarthritis, you may additionally have joint ache. Issues of a Baker cyst may cause further signs, resembling heat, redness, or numbness.

How is a Baker cyst recognized?

Your healthcare supplier will ask you about your medical historical past and your signs. They gives you a bodily examination, which can embody a cautious examination of your knee. It’s necessary to ensure your signs are attributable to a Baker cyst and never a tumor or a blood clot.

If the reason for your signs is not clear, you’ll have imaging assessments, resembling:

Ultrasound to view the cyst in additional element

X-ray to get extra details about the bones of the joint

MRI if the analysis continues to be unclear after ultrasound or your supplier is contemplating surgical procedure

How is a Baker cyst handled?

You seemingly gained’t want any therapy in case you don’t have any signs out of your Baker cyst. Some Baker cysts go away with none therapy. In case your cyst begins inflicting signs, you would possibly want therapy at the moment.

In case you do have signs, you might be handled relying on the reason for your cyst. For instance, you might want drugs for rheumatoid arthritis. Or you might want bodily remedy for osteoarthritis.

Different remedies for a Baker cyst can embody:

Over-the-counter ache medicines

Arthrocentesis to take away extra fluid from the joint area

Steroid injection into the joint to cut back cyst measurement

Surgical procedure to take away the cyst

Most Baker cysts go away with out surgical procedure. Healthcare suppliers solely not often advise surgical procedure. You would possibly want surgical procedure in case your Baker cyst is inflicting you extreme signs and no different remedies have labored. Your supplier will examine you fastidiously for different knee issues to deal with earlier than advising surgical procedure. In lots of instances, a Baker cyst will come again after surgical procedure. That is most frequently true when it’s attributable to an issue that hasn’t gone away.

What are attainable problems of a Baker cyst?

In uncommon instances, a Baker cyst might trigger problems. The cyst might enlarge, which can trigger redness and swelling. The cyst may additionally rupture, inflicting heat, redness, and ache in your calf.

The signs stands out as the similar as a blood clot within the veins of the legs. Your healthcare supplier might have imaging assessments of your leg to ensure you don’t have a clot. Rupture can even result in its personal problems, resembling:

Trapping of a tibial nerve. This causes calf ache and numbness behind the leg. It may be handled with arthrocentesis and steroid injections.

Blockage of the popliteal artery. This causes ache and lack of blood movement to the leg. It will also be handled with arthrocentesis and steroid injections.

Compartment syndrome. This causes intense ache and issues shifting the foot or toes. Compartment syndrome is a medical emergency. It wants quick surgical procedure. It will possibly result in everlasting muscle harm if not handled straight away.

When ought to I name my healthcare supplier?

In case your cyst begins inflicting delicate signs, plan to see your healthcare supplier quickly. See them straight away in case your leg is crimson and swollen. These signs might imply your Baker cyst has ruptured.

Key factors about Baker cysts

A Baker cyst is a fluid-filled sac that varieties behind the knee. They normally do not trigger main issues.

A Baker cyst is normally the results of another downside with the knee. It could be attributable to osteoarthritis or a tear of the knee’s cartilage.

Many individuals with Baker cysts don’t have any signs. You might need some ache behind the knee.

Your healthcare supplier will attempt to deal with any underlying circumstances. You might also want fluid faraway from the knee joint area or the cyst.

Surgical procedure is not normally wanted for a Baker cyst.

In uncommon instances, a Baker cyst can rupture. This may trigger severe problems. See your healthcare supplier straight away in case your leg is crimson and swollen.

Subsequent steps

Ideas that can assist you get probably the most from a go to to your healthcare supplier:

Know the rationale on your go to and what you wish to occur.

Earlier than your go to, write down questions you need answered.

Deliver somebody with you that can assist you ask questions and keep in mind what your supplier tells you.

On the go to, write down the title of a brand new analysis and any new medicines, remedies, or assessments. Additionally write down any new directions your supplier provides you.

Know why a brand new drugs or therapy is prescribed, and the way it will show you how to. Additionally know what the unintended effects are.

Ask in case your situation might be handled in different methods.

Know why a check or process is beneficial and what the outcomes might imply.

Know what to anticipate if you don’t take the medication or have the check or process.

In case you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and goal for that go to.

Know how one can contact your healthcare supplier if in case you have questions, particularly after workplace hours or on weekends.