Baker’s Cyst – What It Is, Causes and Treatments!

Baker’s Cyst – What it is, Causes and Treatments we should all know. In addition, Baker’s Cyst is a fluid-filled cyst that causes a bulge and a feeling of tightness behind the knee. The pain can get worse when you flex or extend your knee or when you are active. A Baker’s Cyst , also called a popliteal Baker’s Cyst  is usually the result of a problem with the knee joint , such as arthritis or a cartilage tear.

Both conditions can cause your knee to produce too much fluid, which can lead to a Baker’s Cyst . Although a Baker’s cyst can cause swelling and make you uncomfortable, treating the likely underlying problem often provides relief. So, check out now  Baker’s Cyst – What is it, Causes and Treatments:

Main Causes of Baker’s Cyst:  A lubricating fluid called synovial fluid helps your leg swing smoothly and reduces friction between the moving parts of your knee . But sometimes the knee produces too much synovial fluid, resulting in fluid building up in an area at the back of the knee, causing a Baker’s Cyst . This can happen because of. Inflammation of the knee joint , as with many types of arthritis. A knee injury, like a cartilage tear.

Main Symptoms of Baker’s Cyst:  In some cases, a Baker’s cyst causes no pain and you may not even notice it. If you have signs and symptoms, they may include:

• Swelling behind the knee and sometimes in the leg:
• Knee pain:
• Stiffness and inability to fully flex the knee :
• Your symptoms may be worse after you’ve been active or if you’ve been on your feet for a long time:

When to See a Doctor:  If you have pain and swelling behind your knee, see your doctor. While unlikely, a bulge behind the knee could be a sign of a more serious condition than a fluid-filled Baker’s cyst  .

Treatments:  Sometimes a Baker’s Cyst will go away on its own. However, if your Baker’s Cyst  is large and painful, your doctor may recommend the following treatments:

Medication: Your doctor may put a corticosteroid medication, such as cortisone, into your knee to reduce inflammation. This can relieve pain, but it doesn’t always prevent a Baker’s Cyst from recurring .

Fluid drainage: Your doctor may drain fluid from your knee joint using a needle. This is called needle aspiration and is often performed under ultrasound guidance.

Physical Therapy: Icing, a compression wrap, and crutches can help reduce pain and swelling. Gentle range of motion exercises and strengthening the muscles around your knee can also help reduce your symptoms and preserve knee function .

If possible, doctors treat the underlying cause of the Baker’s Cyst . 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. Baker ‘s cysts  associated with osteoarthritis usually improve with treatment of the arthritis. Surgical intervention is rarely necessary.