Baker's Cyst
Fluid collection behind the knee.
A cyst is a symptom, not a disease - it is a form of hernia of the knee joint capsule. It forms from excessive fluid in the knee due to a torn meniscus or arthritis. Draining the fluid does not help without treating the cause but can help with symptoms.
Symptoms
- Feeling of fullness
- Stiffness with bending
- Swelling
- Calf pain (if ruptured)
Conservative treatment
- Treating the intra-articular cause
- Anti-inflammatories
- Compression
- Ultrasound-guided puncture
When is surgery needed?
We almost never surgically remove the cyst itself; we fix the knee problem causing it.