What's a Baker's cyst?

Question

The ultrasound technician says it looks like a Baker's cyst... anybody know what the treatment is for that?

Answer 1

Please see the web pages for more details and images on Baker's cyst (Rheumatoid Arthritis). It is a swelling about the knee due to escape of Synovial fluid in popliteal bursitis.

Answer 2

Baker's cyst is a pronounced swelling on the back of the knee

If the cyst is very large and causes a lot of pain, your doctor may use the following treatments:

* Physical therapy. Icing, a compression wrap, and crutches may help reduce pain and swelling. Gentle range of motion and strengthening exercises for the muscles around your knee may also help to reduce your symptoms and preserve knee function.
* Fluid drainage. Your doctor may drain the fluid from the knee joint using a needle. This is called needle aspiration.
* Medication. Your doctor may inject a corticosteroid medication, such as cortisone, into your knee to reduce the volume of fluid being produced. This may relieve pain, but it doesn't always prevent recurrence of the cyst.

Typically though, doctors treat the underlying cause rather than the Baker's cyst itself.

Answer 3

From the Mayo Clinic website:

Treatment (for Baker's Cyst)

If the cyst is very large and causes a lot of pain, your doctor may use the following treatments:

* Physical therapy. Icing, a compression wrap, and crutches may help reduce pain and swelling. Gentle range of motion and strengthening exercises for the muscles around your knee may also help to reduce your symptoms and preserve knee function.
* Fluid drainage. Your doctor may drain the fluid from the knee joint using a needle. This is called needle aspiration.
* Medication. Your doctor may inject a corticosteroid medication, such as cortisone, into your knee to reduce the volume of fluid being produced. This may relieve pain, but it doesn't always prevent recurrence of the cyst.

Typically though, doctors treat the underlying cause rather than the Baker's cyst itself.

If your doctor determines that a cartilage tear is causing the overproduction of synovial fluid, he or she may recommend surgery to remove or repair the torn cartilage.

In some instances, particularly if you have osteoarthritis, the cyst may not go away even after your doctor treats the underlying cause. If the cyst doesn't get better, causes pain and interferes with your ability to bend your knee, or if — in spite of aspirations — fluid in the cyst hinders knee function, you may need to be evaluated for surgery to remove the cyst.

Answer 4

Please forgive me for being insensitive, but the first thing I thought of when I saw that was "Yeast Infection".. :)


Sorry!


Here's the real answer:

Often no treatment is necessary and the practitioner can observe the cyst over time. If the cyst is painful, treatment is usually aimed at correcting the underlying problem, such as arthritis or a meniscus tear. Remove the cyst is generally not done because it may damage nearby blood vessels and nerves.

Sometimes, a cyst can be drained (aspirated), if the fluid inside it has become solid and gel-like.

Answer 5

What is a Baker cyst?
What causes a Baker cyst?
What are symptoms of a Baker cyst?
How is a Baker cyst diagnosed?
How is a Baker cyst treated?
What is a Baker cyst?

A Baker cyst, also called a popliteal cyst, is swelling caused by knee joint fluid protruding to the back of the knee (popliteal area of the knee). When an excess of knee joint fluid is compressed by the body weight between the bones of the knee joint, it can become trapped and separate from the joint to form a fluid-filled sac, referred to as a Baker cyst. The name of the cyst is in memory of the physician who originally described the condition, the British surgeon William Morrant Baker (1839-1896).

What causes a Baker cyst?

Baker cysts are not uncommon and can be caused by virtually any cause of joint swelling (arthritis). The most common form of arthritis associated with Baker cysts is osteoarthritis, also called degenerative arthritis. Baker cysts also can result from cartilage tears (such as a torn meniscus), rheumatoid arthritis, and other knee problems.

What are symptoms of a Baker cyst?

A Baker cyst may cause no symptoms or be associated with knee pain and/or tightness behind the knee, especially when the knee is extended or fully flexed. Baker cysts are usually visible as a bulge behind the knee which is particularly noticeable on standing and comparing to the opposite uninvolved knee. They are generally soft and minimally tender.

Baker cysts can become complicated by protrusion of fluid down the leg between the muscles of the calf (dissection). The cyst can rupture, leaking fluid down the inner leg to sometimes give the inner ankle the appearance of a painless bruise. Baker cyst dissection and rupture are frequently associated with swelling of the leg and can mimic phlebitis of the leg.

How is a Baker cyst diagnosed?

Baker cysts can be diagnosed with the doctor's examination and confirmed by radiological testing (either ultrasound, contrast dye into the knee called arthrogram, or MRI scan).

How is a Baker cyst treated?

Baker cysts often resolve with removal of excess knee fluid in conjunction with cortisone injection. Medications are sometimes given to relieve pain and inflammation.

When cartilage tears or other internal knee problems are associated, surgery can be the best treatment option. During a surgical operation the surgeon can remove the swollen tissue (synovium) that leads to the cyst formation

Answer 6

This link from the Mayo Clinic will explain the Baker`s Cyst. I have one that is growing behind my knee.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bakers-cyst/DS00448

Answer 7

My husband has a bakers cyst on his wrist. Lucky for him, it doesnt cause him any problems. However, if it did, they could drain it using a needle, or if needed SURGERY.