Baker’s Cyst

By Tim Wall, MS, ATC

Understanding Baker’s Cyst

Welcome to JOI Online, your go-to source for trusted health information. Today, we’re discussing Baker’s Cyst, a common issue affecting many people. We’ll go over what a Baker’s Cyst is, how it’s diagnosed, treated, managed, and ways to prevent it.

A Baker’s Cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled cyst that develops in the back of the knee. A cyst is an abnormal bulge, usually noncancerous growth, that is filled with liquid. The area behind the knee becomes swollen and inflamed, which can cause knee and/or calf pain, swelling around the knee, and/or clicking or locking within the knee.  We hope that this article will help you if you think you have a Baker’s Cyst.

What is a Baker’s Cyst?

A Baker’s cyst, sometimes called a popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled lump that forms behind your knee. It was named after the British surgeon, William Morrant Baker, who first described it back in the 19th century. This cyst typically forms due to an underlying knee issue that causes too much fluid to build up in the joint.

The most common cause of a cyst is inflammation in the knee joint, like you see in arthritis, osteoarthritis or knee injuries. When the knee joint makes more synovial fluid than it can soak up, this extra fluid can accumulate and form a cyst. This cyst usually forms in the space behind the knee, known as the popliteal fossa.

People with a Baker’s cyst may have different symptoms, although some may not have any symptoms at all. The most common symptom is swelling at the back of the knee, which can also feel stiff and tight. The swelling may get worse after you exercise or if you’re standing or sitting for a long time. In some cases, the cyst can get big enough to cause pain and limit movement especially bending the knee.

Causes 

These health conditions or injuries may cause a cyst if the excess fluid travels to the back of the knee:

• Arthritis or Osteoarthritis in the knee.  These can cause breakdown of the knee joint due to wear and tear of the cartilage.
  • The theory is this can cause the knee to produce too much fluid.  This may lead to a bulge or a formation of a cyst.
• Inflammatory Arthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Injuries to the Knee Joint. A Meniscus, MCL or an ACL tear can lead to swelling within the knee joint.
• Gout.  Gout is another form of arthritis which can affect many of the joints of the body. It is caused by a build-up of lactic acid in the body.

How is a Baker’s Cyst Diagnosed?

If you think you have a Baker’s cyst, your doctor will do a thorough exam to confirm it and determine the best way to treat it.

Your doctor will start with a physical exam, checking your knee for swelling, tenderness, and any noticeable lumps. They might also check your range of motion and ask about any other symptoms, like pain or stiffness.

In addition to the physical exam, your doctor might recommend imaging tests to confirm it’s a Baker’s cyst and rule out other conditions. The most common imaging tests for diagnosing a Baker’s cyst include:

• Ultrasound: This non-invasive test uses sound waves to create pictures of the knee joint, which lets the doctor see the cyst and check its size and location.
• MRI: An MRI provides detailed pictures of the knee joint, which helps the doctor evaluate the cyst, the structures around it, and potential causes of the cyst, like underlying joint conditions.

These tests help your doctor figure out how severe the Baker’s cyst is and come up with a treatment plan. Remember, it’s important not to try and diagnose yourself, as other knee conditions can have similar symptoms. Always consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment advice.

Treating and Managing a Baker’s Cyst

There are both non-surgical and surgical options for treating and managing a Baker’s cyst, depending on how severe it is and the symptoms you have.

Doctors often recommend non-surgical or conservative treatments first for a Baker’s cyst. These treatments aim to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. One common non-surgical treatment is over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or NSAIDs like ibuprofen. These can help ease discomfort and reduce swelling.

In addition to medication, you might also be referred to physical therapy to improve joint mobility and strengthen the muscles around your knee. Physical therapists can guide you through specific exercises and techniques that can help reduce symptoms and promote healing.  The use of modalities in physical therapy have proven to be effective in reducing the inflammation from a cyst.

If non-surgical treatments aren’t providing enough relief, or if the cyst is causing a lot of discomfort or limiting your mobility, your doctor might consider surgical treatment. Surgical options for a Baker’s cyst include draining the cyst with a needle (cyst aspiration) or removing the cyst surgically (cyst removal).

It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional, like an orthopedic specialist, to determine the best treatment approach for a Baker’s cyst. They can evaluate your specific situation and recommend the best course of action based on your symptoms.

How Long Does It Last?

Most cysts go away on their own with time. However, cysts that do not go away on their own or increase in size, are usually treated with nonsurgical treatment first before surgical intervention is considered. It may take several months for the Baker’s cyst to go away on its own.

Watch this video from The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Knee Pain Can’t Wait

What Causes a Baker’s Cyst to Burst

A Baker’s cyst can rupture if it fills up with synovial fluid too quickly. This causes increased pressure, which leads to the popliteal bursa sac to tear. After the cyst ruptures, fluid is released into the calf. While a ruptured cyst is not common, one will experience a very intense and sharp pain in the calf muscle, similar to a blood clot or DVT. It is important to contact one’s doctor for treatment of a ruptured cyst.

 

Preventing a Baker’s Cyst

While it’s important to seek medical advice for a proper diagnosis and treatment, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing a Baker’s cyst.

Here are some tips for preventing a Baker’s cyst:

1. Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight can put extra stress on your knees, increasing the chance of a Baker’s cyst. By maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet, you can reduce the strain on your knee joints.

2. Protect your knees during physical activities: High-impact activities or sports without proper protection can increase the risk of knee injuries. Wearing supportive shoes and using knee pads or braces can help reduce the chances of an injury that could lead to a Baker’s cyst.

3. Practice stretching and strengthening exercises: Regular exercises that target the muscles around your knees can help improve stability and flexibility. Strengthening exercises, like squats and lunges, can provide support to your knee joint and reduce the risk of a cyst.  Maintain good strength of the VMO muscle of the knee. 

4. Avoid prolonged kneeling or squatting: Staying in a kneeling or squatting position for a long time can put a lot of pressure on your knee joint, potentially leading to a Baker’s cyst. If your work or daily activities involve a lot of kneeling or squatting, try to take frequent breaks and use knee pads to reduce strain.

5. Manage underlying conditions: Conditions like arthritis or joint inflammation can increase the risk of a Baker’s cyst. It’s important to manage these conditions effectively with your healthcare provider’s help to reduce the chance of a cyst forming.  Additionally, if you need help in managing other knee conditions, JOI can help.

By making these lifestyle changes and following these preventative tips, you can reduce your risk of developing a Baker’s cyst and keep your knees healthy.

Related Articles:

• Ligaments In The Knee
• Anatomy of Knee
• What Does It Mean If My Knee Is Swollen?

JOI and JOI Rehab

JOI and JOI Rehab are here to help you with your knee pain.  Our skilled team members will help you to get back to doing the activities that you love.

Finally, if you have knee pain, JOI can help! Call (904) JOI-2000 or click on the book an appointment button below to schedule an appointment with a JOI Orthopedic Physician experienced in treating the knee today!  JOI offers online scheduling to make it easier to make an appointment with a JOI Physician.

Written by: Tim Wall, MS, ATC