Bypassing Baker’s cyst

You have pain in your knee and you experience stiffness. You have a lump behind your knee. You could have a Baker cyst.

A Baker’s cyst is a small fluid-filled bump that forms on the back of the knee. Some healthcare providers refer to Baker cysts as popliteal cysts and synovial cysts. But they are just different names for the same issue.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Baker cysts tend to develop when something damages the knee joint or the tissues around it and extra fluid drains out of the knee. The fluid can only drain out in one direction—out the back of the joint. The buildup forms the sac that becomes a Baker cyst.

Baker cysts are benign growths. That means they aren’t tumors and are never a symptom of (don’t cause) cancer.

The most notable symptom of Baker cysts are the lumps behind the knee. But other symptoms are knee pain, stiffness, a limited range of motion, and swelling in your knee or on your leg around it.

Baker cysts can sometimes cause swelling and discoloration in your lower leg that can be similar to the symptoms of a blood clot. A blood clot is a life-threatening emergency. You should visit your healthcare provider right away if you suspect that you have a blood clot.

Anything that damages the knee joint can cause swelling and lead to the development of a Baker cyst. The most common causes are different types of knee arthritis and injuries.

The most common forms of arthritis that cause Baker cysts include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

Different types of knee injuries can lead to swelling of the knee that triggers a Baker cyst. Knee injuries that can cause Baker cysts are repetitive strain injuries (overuse injuries), meniscus tears, hyperextensions, sprains, dislocations and bone fractures.

Injuries that may damage your knee ligaments can cause Baker cysts including ACL tears, MCL tears, LCL tears and PCL tears.

Anyone can develop a Baker cyst, especially if you have arthritis or experience an injury. Some groups of people are more likely to have a Baker cyst such as athletes, people age 35 to 70 years old, people with arthritis and people who put lots of pressure on their knees at work or doing a hobby.

The most common complication with a Baker cyst is the lump rupturing (breaking). A ruptured cyst happens when the sac around the cyst fills up with fluid too fast or with too much pressure and bursts.

A ruptured cyst can cause other symptoms in your knee or lower leg such as:

§  Sharp, stabbing pain in your knee or calf.

§  Swelling in your calf and lower leg.

§  A feeling like water is running down your leg (but inside your body).

§  Nerve damage.

§  Compartment syndrome (painful extra pressure in your muscles).

In order to diagnose a Baker cyst, your provider will perform a physical exam by looking for the lump in the back of the knee joint. Your healthcare provider may perform imaging tests to diagnose the Baker cyst as well including X-rays, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Usually your healthcare provider will treat the cause of the Baker cyst rather than the cyst itself. The cyst will disappear once the damage in your knee that caused it has healed. The treatment you need depends on the injury or condition you have.

You may be advised to try the RICE method to heal effectively from a minor injury.

§  Rest: Stop the physical activity that caused the injury to prevent it from getting worse.

§  Ice: Apply an ice pack or cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes every hour for the first day after your injury. After one day, you can apply the ice every three to four hours. The ice should be wrapped in a towel or washcloth.

§  Compression: Compression helps reduce blood flow to your injured knee and reduces swelling. You can apply a compression bandage or wrap around your knee.

§  Elevate: Raise your knee and lower leg above the level of your heart. Support your leg with pillows, blankets or cushions.

Your healthcare provider may recommend medication to relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Most people can take over-the-counter NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). You shouldn’t take these medications for more than 10 days in a row without discussing it with your provider.

Your provider may also suggest prescription corticosteroids or cortisone shots.

Your healthcare provider may recommend physical therapy if you have arthritis or if you are recovering from an injury. A physical therapist will teach you exercises and stretches that will strengthen your muscles around your affected knee.

You may need surgery to repair torn cartilage or ligaments in your knee or if you fractured a bone. Though rare, you may need surgery to drain or remove the Baker cyst if you are in pain or if its making it hard to use your knee.

A Baker cyst usually goes away on its own once you take care of swelling or injury of the knee. And it isn’t always painful. But it is still important to get it diagnosed by your healthcare provider to make sure it isn’t something more serious.