Baker's cyst

A Baker's cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled swelling that develops at the back of the knee.
picture of Baker's cyst on leg
A Baker's cyst on a leg
it is precipitated when the tissue in the back of the knee joint will become swollen and inflamed. The swelling and inflammation can motive:
ache inside the knee and calf
a build-up of fluid across the knee
occasional locking or clicking in the knee joint
but, every now and then a Baker's cyst won't purpose any signs and symptoms other than the fluid-filled swelling behind the knee.
In rare instances, a Baker's cyst can burst (rupture), resulting in fluid leaking down into your calf. this could motive sharp pain, swelling and redness for your calf.
What reasons a Baker's cyst?
Knee damage due to a sports-associated injury or a blow to the knee can lead to a Baker's cyst developing.
A Baker's cyst can also on occasion arise if you have a health circumstance together with:
osteoarthritis – commonly because of age-related "put on and tear" of joints; it especially affects the knees, hips, palms and massive toe
inflammatory arthritis – including rheumatoid arthritis that is a much less commonplace kind of arthritis and is as a result of the immune machine attacking the joints
gout – a type of arthritis that generally impacts the big toe and is as a result of a construct-up of the waste product uric acid in the blood
Baker's cysts are more common in girls than men, possibly due to the fact ladies are more likely to develop osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. They commonly increase in humans elderly over forty, even though can have an effect on human beings of any age, which includes youngsters.
when to peer your GP
See your GP when you have a cyst it is inflicting issues and doesn't solve on its personal. they will usually be able to diagnose a Baker's cyst by way of examining the lower back of your knee and asking about your symptoms.
Your GP will ask you whether or not you've got any associated health conditions, inclusive of arthritis.
further exams can be advocated to rule out different extra serious situations, including a tumour, an aneurysm (bulge in a section of a blood vessel) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (blood clot in one of the deep veins of the body). you may need an ultrasound test or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Treating a Baker's cyst
treatment won't typically be important if you have a Baker's cyst that is not causing any signs.
Painkillers including parcetamol and ibuprofen may be used to lessen the swelling and relieve any ache. Bandages or an ice p.c. may additionally help. A bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel works properly as an ice p.c..
if you have an underlying condition that's inflicting your cyst, it's vital that the situation is well managed. The cyst can also disappear whilst the situation causing it has been dealt with.
In some instances, it may be feasible to drain the cyst. surgical treatment may also be needed to restore any good sized harm across the knee joint.