Baker’s Cyst: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Baker’s Cyst: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

by Dr. Atul Shrivastava

Posted on 15th May, 2023 at 2:04:00 AM


Baker’s cyst is a soft, fluid-filled lump that develops on the back of your knee and may also go by the name of a popliteal cyst or synovial cyst. Dr. Atul Shrivastava, famous for arthroscopic knee surgery in Kolkata says, your knee produces excess fluid that can only flow in one direction when components in or around the joint are damaged; as a result, a cyst develops on the back of your knee.

Causes

According to the best arthroscopic surgeon in Kolkata, Dr. Atul Shrivastava, an injury to the knee’s joints leads to swelling, which develops into a Baker’s cyst. Damage can take the following forms:

  • Arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid).
  • A knee injury sustained directly (meniscus tear or ligament tear).
  • Inflammation.
  • Gout.

Symptoms

With a Baker’s cyst, you could sometimes have no pain at all or very minimal discomfort. The Baker’s cyst itself may not be present; you may simply experience knee discomfort as a result of the first injury. Your knee or this lump might enlarge under any exertion. The swelling of the knee or cyst might worsen your pain and reduce how much movement you can make with that knee.

The symptoms of a Baker’s cyst include:

  • A bulge packed with fluid appears behind the knee
  • Pain.
  • Your knee feels stiff.
  • Restricted range of motion and knee flexion.
  • Swelling in your leg or knee.

Treatment

Non-Surgical Procedure

Your medical professional may advise you to begin treating your Baker’s cyst without surgery. Usually, you may perform these activities on your own at home to reduce your symptoms.

  • Employing RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
  • Using a painkiller that has anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Keeping a healthy body weight.
  • Avoiding knee-straining activities
  • Using a cane or crutch to walk.
  • Requesting a recommendation for physical therapy from your doctor in order to strengthen your knee and whole body.
  • Surgical Procedure.

In many circumstances, your doctor will address the underlying cause of your illness in addition to your Baker’s cyst. In order to treat a knee injury or repair knee damage, surgery may be necessary. Other times, the focus of your treatment can be the cyst itself. Arthroscopic Knee surgery is usually recommended for Baker’s cysts.

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