Baker's Cyst
What is a Baker's cyst?
A Baker's cyst is an abnormal swelling of a bursa (a
fluid-filled sac) behind the knee.
How does it occur?
No one really knows what causes a Baker's cyst. However, a
cyst can occur when the lining of the knee joint produces
too much fluid after an injury or in certain kinds of
arthritis.
What are the symptoms?
You may have pain, swelling, or a feeling of fullness in the
area behind the knee.
How is it diagnosed?
Your health care provider will examine your knee and find a
bulge in the back of your knee. You may need to have a
magnetic resonance image (MRI) or an arthrogram to help the
health care provider determine if you have a Baker's cyst.
For an arthrogram, dye is injected into your knee and then
an x-ray is taken to look at the joint.
How is it treated?
The initial discomfort of a Baker's cyst may be treated by
wearing an elastic bandage. Your provider may prescribe
anti-inflammatory medicine, the cyst may be drained, or an
operation may be performed to remove the cyst. Sometimes
the cyst goes away on its own. If the cyst does not cause
bothersome symptoms, it may not be treated.
How can a Baker's cyst be prevented?
There is really no way to prevent a Baker's cyst from
forming.
Written by Pierre Rouzier, M.D., for McKesson Provider Technologies.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2005 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.
This
information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers
but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical
treatment. You should speak to your physician or make
an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about
this information or your medical condition.