The person notices swelling behind the knee,
especially when they try to fully extend the leg. It might be difficult to fully bend the knee.
And sometimes there is knee pain. It might be Baker Cyst.
A Baker cyst happens when the knee produces too much synovial fluid,
the lubricating substance that nurtures the cartilage and keeps the joint moving smoothly.
But why does the knee produces too much synovial fluid?
Is this a temporary or permanent cyst? Should you continue doing your exercises?
I always say, “motion is lotion,” but in this case, are you doing too much movement?
I’ll answer these and other questions in this video today.
So, let’s talk about Baker Cyst today.
Before I continue, let me remind you that this video is intended for educational purposes
only. It is not medical advice. If you have a condition that is causing you pain, please talk
to your doctor. In case of emergency, go to the nearest emergency department or call an ambulance.
What causes Baker Cyst? A Baker cyst is a lump in
the back of the knee caused by a collection of synovial fluid originating from the knee. But why
is the knee producing so much lubricating fluid? The two most common reasons are osteoarthritis of
the knee and a meniscus injury. So, in these two situations, there is a sudden production of fluid,
or there is a problem reabsorbing the fluid that is produced. Then, the synovial fluid
doesn’t have anywhere to go, so it starts leaking behind the knee and creates this lump.
The lump itself is not painful. Some people do not even know they have it.
What are the symptoms of a Baker Cyst? Most Baker Cysts do not cause any symptoms,
but when they do, the most common is pain behind the knee, a noticeable lump
when the person tries to fully extend the knee, and stiffness in bending the knee.
In rare occasions, the Baker Cyst will rupture, and the liquid will leak to the leg between the
muscles. When this happens, there is inflammation and redness. These symptoms are very similar to
a deep vein thrombosis, so we usually send the person to do a doppler ultrasound to rule out DVT.
How is a Baker Cyst diagnosed?
When it is big, we can see with our eyes and palpate it.
It is usually found by accident in a leg ultrasound or MRI scan.
Can the doctor aspirate the fluid? Yes, technically, the doctor could
aspirate the fluid, but this will not eliminate the cause of the cyst, and it will recur.
Can the doctor inject steroids in the cyst? The steroid injection and aspiration of
the fluid might reduce the cyst because the steroid is a potent anti-inflammatory drug,
and it might reduce arthritis or meniscus inflammation. But it would be best to inject the
steroid in the joint, in the front of the knee, not in the cyst. The cyst is just a consequence
of what is happening inside the knee. What is the treatment for Baker Cyst?
Most Baker cysts will resolve without any injection or surgery.
The best strategy to reduce the fluid includes the RICE: Rest for a short period, and avoid
bending the knee too much for a couple of days or weeks. Avoid long walks for a couple of weeks.
Keep moving the knee, doing a gentle range of motion exercises. I have another video in that
I show the lubricating exercises in bed. You can do those exercises. Check my other video here.
The second letter of RICE is I for Ice.
You can apply ice packs to the back of your knee. Check my other video about heat and cold.
The letter C is for compression. You may apply compression to the knee, like a knee sleeve.
You may check this knee strap, and this can be used when you are walking,
running, or at the gym. Check the link to this product in the description of this video below.
The letter E is for elevation. Elevate your legs for a few minutes, especially at the end
of the day. Try to elevate the knee. This will move the fluid upside down and may help with
the absorption in the knee capsule. You may also take oral non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, or apply a topical NSAID to the back of the knee 3
times a day. Check my other video about NSAIDS. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor
about taking these drugs, especially if you have cardiac disease or high blood pressure.
However, the best treatment is waiting a few weeks for the symptoms to resolve, and if it does not,
you may need to see a doctor or a physiotherapist. They need to examine you to check what is causing
the excess synovial fluid in your knee. You may need exercises to strengthen the muscles if you
have osteoarthritis or a meniscus injury. And in some cases, the problem will require surgery.
The decision about which treatment to offer will depend on other medical conditions, how long
this Baker Cyst has been there, the cause of the cyst, and other treatments you have already tried.
It is essential to continue moving your knee. Many people fear that if they move and use the knee,
the cyst will get bigger. This is usually not the case. It is good to keep moving and
doing the activities you enjoy. But talk to your doctor to check if you need any
activity modification and for how long. If you know someone with Baker Cyst,
send this video to them. There is a share button below this video that you can use.
Don’t forget to send your comment. Let me know what you like about this video.
Thank you for watching. Goodbye