A Baker’s cyst is a fluid-filled cyst that causes a bulge and a feeling of tightness behind your knee. The pain can get worse when you fully flex or extend your knee or when you’re active. A Baker’s cyst, also called a popliteal (pop-luh-tee-ul) cyst, is usually the result of a problem with your 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 may cause swelling and make you uncomfortable, treating the probable underlying problem usually provides relief.
In some cases, a Baker’s cyst causes no pain, and you may not notice it. If you do have signs and symptoms, they might include:
Your symptoms may be worse after you’ve been active or if you’ve been standing for a long time.
A Baker’s cyst may burst which can result in synovial fluid leaking into the calf region, causing symptoms such as:
These signs and symptoms closely resemble those of a blood clot in a vein in your leg. If you have swelling and redness of your calf, you’ll need prompt medical evaluation to rule out a more serious cause of your symptoms.
Sometimes a Baker’s cyst will disappear on its own. However, if the cyst is large and causes pain, your doctor may recommend the following treatments:
Baker’s cysts associated with osteoarthritis usually improve with treatment of arthritis. Surgical intervention is rarely needed.
If you have pain and swelling behind your knee, see your doctor. Though unlikely, a bulge behind your knee may be a sign of a condition more serious than a fluid-filled cyst.
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