Baker Cyst

A Baker Cyst is a type of swelling that takes place behind knee joints. This is because there is fluid present. What you would notice with this condition is pain since knee joints have pressure due to body weight. This fluid becomes contained and causes those joints to separate and thus it builds a sac of fluid there. The cyst was named after a doctor who figured out the condition's cause. He was British, and was named William Morrant Baker.

Causes

This joint problem is commonplace and the most frequent cause is having arthritis. Osteoarthritis is of the most common cause since that form of arthritis is the type that is progressive and worsens over time. Tears that take place within the cartilage can bring on this condition as well as rheumatoid arthritis. Symptomatology of a Baker Cyst

You may not notice any symptoms that are unusual except for having knee pains and a feeling of being tight in the knee joints like the joints cannot relax. There is a bulging that will appear and you would notice it when you stand up and do a comparison to your other knee that is normal.

These cysts can become painful if the fluid is causing a large swelling area that is inside calf muscles. This cyst can leak fluid and become ruptured as well. It might look as though there is actually a blood clot present with the swelling.

Diagnosis

The doctor will look at the knees, jounts, and make a determination and then probably do an ultrasound to confirm it. They can do an MRI as well.

Treating the problem

For a big cyst that is very painful there are the following treatment methods:

Exercising through Therapy Range of motion exercises that strenghten your knee may help. This often helps the knee to re-gain strength and tone.

Medicines An injection of Prednisone which is a steroid does a lot to help take away pain and take down the inflammation in the knee.

Draining the fluid Aspirating the fluid with a needle helps to take away the swelling and can also relieve some pain caused by the symptoms.

Surgery> As a last resort, if the cyst does not go away, the cyst may need to be surgically removed.