What is a Baker’s Cyst?
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What is a Baker’s Cyst?
If you have ever felt a weird bulge behind your knee that aches or makes bending tricky, you might be dealing with a Baker’s Cyst. It is one of those things that can sneak up on you, sometimes just from life’s wear and tear. This small pocket of fluid has nothing to do with baking, but it was named after the surgeon, William Baker, who first described it. Dr. Aaron Workman, a team member of one of the highest rated car accident medical care facilities in Kentucky, talks about what it is, how it forms, and what you can do if you find yourself with this particular cyst.
The Baker’s Cyst
A Baker’s Cyst, or popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled sac that forms in the popliteal fossa, the area behind the knee. It is part of the knee joint, and it shows up when excess fluid that lubricates the knee joint gets pushed out into this space behind the knee. Think of it like a water balloon bulging out. It can feel like a soft lump, maybe the size of a grape or bigger, and it often brings stiffness, pain, or a tight sensation, especially when you try to bend or straighten your leg.
Why This Occurs
This cyst usually results from something else wrong going on in your knee. Different forms of arthritis can be a big contributor. Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid inflammation in this joint can increase fluid production. Injuries like a torn meniscus or cartilage damage, common after a motor vehicle accident (MVA) jolt, can irritate the joint, and the excess fluid moves to the back of the knee. Even overuse, like from running or repetitive bending, can increase fluid production. I have seen patients within the clinic that not only have suffered a knee injury but also have developed this cyst behind the knee due to bad knee mechanics. Whatever the cause may be, the joint is letting you know there is too much going on in the area.
Symptoms
Symptoms can vary. You may not even know the cyst has developed until it grows big enough to press on nerves or blood vessels, causing tingling or swelling down your calf. It can cause stiffness and lack of complete movement of the knee. Others ache right away, especially if you are on your feet a lot. It might swell more after activity or feel worse when you squat. It can also mimic a blood clot in the lower leg with redness and pain.
What To Do
First, do not poke it and keep irritating it. If it is small and not bothersome then, rest, ice, and elevating your leg can ease it. A period of rest may help the knee calm down enough to shrink the cyst. Over-the-counter pain meds can dull the ache too. If it is from arthritis or an injury, treating the root cause is most important. If it develops following an MVA then checking for a bigger issue may be needed. Surgery is a rare outcome, but if it bursts or you are limping badly, you will need some type of imaging to rule out clots or tears.
A Baker’s cyst is not typically an emergency, but it is a sign your knee is having problems. Whether it is from an MVA, age, or overuse, it is something that needs to be addressed and you may need the assistance of your healthcare provided. Rest up, get it checked if it lingers, and do not let it make you limp into the day. If it occurred following an MVA then the doctors at Chambers Medical Group can help.
— This article is written by Aaron Workman, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Kentucky.
