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- Baker's cyst, NHS
- Baker cyst - Symptoms and causes, Mayo Clinic
- Baker Cyst (Popliteal Cyst): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment, Cleveland Clinic
- Baker's Cyst, Physiopedia
Baker’s cyst (popliteal cyst)
Private treatment to help manage and get rid of Baker cysts affecting the knees
What are Baker’s cysts?
A Baker's cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a liquid-filled lump than can develop at the back of your knee. The lubricating fluid found in a Baker’s cyst, known as synovial fluid, is liquid usually found inside the knee joint. This liquid build up can happen due to something damaging your knee joint or the tissues around it, causing too much fluid to drain out of your knee, creating a sac that becomes a Baker’s cyst.
Baker’s cysts can be found in a variety of different sizes and, occasionally, can be found in both knees at the same time.
Popliteal cysts are benign, meaning they aren’t tumours and are not a sign of cancer. However, if you notice a new growth or lump behind your knee, it is advised to visit a healthcare professional for further investigation to determine what may be causing the bump. A bulge behind the knee may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as an aneurysm or a tumour.
What is the cost of private Baker’s cyst treatment?
The cost of Baker’s cyst treatment will depend on your individual circumstances. At the time of your appointment, your consultant will discuss all options with you and ensure all your questions are answered.
Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.
If you have private health insurance, most policies will cover treatment for a Baker’s cyst. Speak to your insurer directly to find out.
What are the symptoms of a Baker’s cyst?
In some cases, you may experience no symptoms alongside the cyst. However, if you do experience symptoms, they may include:
- Stiffness
- Tightness in the knee or other parts of the leg
- Crepitus (clicking in your knee)
- Inability to fully flex the knee
- Swelling behind the knee, sometimes also in the leg
- Knee pain
Occasionally, Baker’s cysts can rupture. This can be painful and cause swelling and redness in your calf. It may also become infected because of the rupture.
What causes a Baker’s cyst to develop?
Anything that damages your knee joint can cause swelling and potentially lead to a popliteal cyst. Common causes include:
Injury
Injury or trauma to the knee, such as a cartilage tear, can lead to a Baker’s cyst. They are common among athletes due to the elevated risk of injury or overall wear and tear to the knee.
Arthritis
Different forms of arthritis can cause inflammation in your joints and affect your bones, cartilage, and other surrounding structures.
Common types of arthritis you may experience include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Reactive arthritis
- Septic arthritis
Gout
Gout can cause your uric acid levels in your blood to rise until the levels become too high (hyperuricemia). This can result in urate crystals forming and building up around the joints, causing inflammation and severe pain.
Haemophilia
This is an inherited medical condition in which the blood does not clot properly, leading to high risks of internal bleeding and joint damage.
Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where your body’s immune system attacks normal, healthy tissue unnecessarily.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that causes skin cells to replace themselves too quickly due to an error in the immune system. For some patients, psoriasis can also cause pain and inflammation in their joints.
How is a Baker’s cyst diagnosed?
A Baker’s cyst is often diagnosed through a physical examination of the knee area and the rest of the leg. Your consultant will be looking for any signs of lumps in the leg and any other notable symptoms.
If they suspect that you may have a Baker’s cyst and need to eliminate the chances of it being another condition, they may order one of the following tests:
Sometimes, a Baker’s cyst is confused with deep vein thrombosis in the calf. This can be cleared up through an ultrasound scan of the area.
What are my treatment options for Baker’s cysts?
Sometimes Baker’s cysts go away on their own and will disappear when the damage in your knee that led to them forming has healed.
If your cyst does not go away by itself, there are a variety of treatment options available to treat it. The best form of treatment for you will depend on the cause of the cyst.
You may be treated in one or more of the following ways:
RICE method
To manage your condition while you’re at home, rest, ice, compression, and elevation can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain in your soft tissues. Your consultant will advise whether this treatment is suitable for your condition going forward.
Medication
If you are experiencing pain and inflammation, you may need over the counter painkillers such as ibuprofen to help alleviate your symptoms.
Physiotherapy
If your cyst is a result of an injury or arthritis, your consultant may recommend physiotherapy exercises to help strengthen the muscles around your knee and help preserve the function of the joint.
Injections
An injection of steroid medication such as cortisone into the knee can reduce inflammation. This may reduce the size of the cyst and relieve pain, but it doesn't always stop the cyst from coming back.
Your consultant will collaborate with one of our expert physiotherapists, if recommended as treatment, to help tailor an exercise plan to your needs.
Surgery
In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to help treat and remove the cyst from the back of the knee. This approach is typically only taken after other treatment options haven't alleviated your pain and your ability to walk or perform other activities is still restricted. Sometimes it may be that your cyst is so large that surgery is recommended as the first treatment option.
Surgical options include:
Needle aspiration
The procedure involves using a needle, under guidance from an ultrasound, to drain the fluid from the cyst and reduce its size. This is typically done under local anaesthesia.
Arthroscopic surgery
This keyhole surgical procedure involves repairing your joint to tackle the underlying cause of your Baker’s cyst. While your surgeon is repairing the surrounding structures of your joint, they will also remove the fluid from the cyst at the same time.
This procedure is usually recommended if you have a severe knee injury or a condition that has caused significant issues with your joint’s function.
What to expect at your initial consultation
During your initial consultation, your consultant will discuss with you your symptoms, medical history, and any relevant family history.
They will also perform a physical examination of your leg, including the knee area specifically. Depending on their assessment, they will recommend various tests to help determine whether you have the condition.
Your consultant will discuss what your next steps may be, including diagnostic tests and potential treatment options. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Frequently asked questions about Baker’s cysts
Can a Baker’s cyst go away on its own?
Yes, a Baker’s cyst can go away on its own. This is especially the case if the underlying cause for the cyst is treated or naturally resolves. Many Baker’s cysts disappear over time without any specific treatment.
However, it is best to get your leg checked if you notice a lump behind the knee. It is important to distinguish what the lump may be, as it may be a more severe condition such as a tumour.
If it is a Baker’s cyst, it is still important to get an expert consultant’s opinion, as, in some cases, you can have complications from it that can lead to further issues if not treated.
Why choose Circle Health Group for Baker’s cyst treatment?
When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:
- Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
- The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suits your needs
- Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
- Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
- Private ensuite rooms as standard, and delicious, healthy meals
- Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
- Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care
If you would like to learn more about treatment for Baker’s cysts, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.
