Baker's Cyst Complications

Baker's cyst is a condition in which the knee joint is affected. The baker's cyst derives its name from a British physician named Dr. William Baker. This condition is also connoted as popliteal cyst. The popliteal cyst is caused due to damage caused to the knee joint and arthritis.

In some cases, there is no obvious reason specified that directs our attention towards baker's cyst. The knee protrudes in an untoward manner, making the condition all the more painful as bending the knee becomes a cumbersome task to perform. When the person stands, the knee protrudes with swelling.

Baker's cyst is the swelling on the back of the knee which is caused due to an excess or buildup of the fluid in sacs called bursea. The symptoms of the cysts are mild and are not considered severe until the cyst reaches the calf muscles or reaches beyond it.

The knee -- situated between the thigh bone and the shin bone -- is cocooned inside the tough membrane which is filled with the synovial fluid.

The synovial fluid is a substance through which the joints remain lubricated and are not prone to adverse friction, causing the joint to be susceptible to consistent wear and tear. The sac that consists the fluid is called the bursea, that protects the joints and prevents any friction.

Injury or trauma to the knee cause the popliteal cyst due to an excessive accumulation of the synovial fluid. A torn cartilage can also cause the baker's cyst. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are the causes of baker's cyst.

When fluid retention takes place due to an infection, the knee joint is bound to get affected. In spite of the fact that there are causes for baker's cyst to occur, the condition has the potential to occur for no particular reason.

• A prominent swelling on the back of the knee
• The lump protruding, noticeable when the person is standing
• Pressure in the back of the knee joint
• Persistent pain or aching
• Mobility of the joint is reduced
• The leg feels tight and stretched when the individual tries to straightens it

If the symptoms are mild with negligible pain, the individual may seem not too keen on seeking an expert advice. If left untreated, the complications could be the following:

• The cyst continues to grow;
• The symptoms that were negligible in nature will start to grow in intensity and escalate their impact;

• There is severe pain in the knee with the area being swollen, red, and warm;
• The cyst may extend up to the calf muscles, a phenomenon known as calf dissection;
• The cyst has the potential to burst and cause bruising around the affected area. This is referred to as calf rupture.

• Physical examination
• Transillumination -- a technique through which light is passed through the lump, thereby indicating the consistency and intensity with which the fluid is filled.
• Ultra sound
• Medical history
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

The line of treatment that can be followed in order to relieve the patient from the condition are as follows:

• Medication for arthritis can be administered;
• Surgery can be advised to correct the torn knee cartilage;
• Avoiding activities that are related to activating, rather overactivating the knee;

• Physiotherapy that involves the individual practicing exercises to retain mobility;
• Use of ice packs to facilitate faster recovery;
• Surgery can be prescribed to remove the cyst behind the knee area;
• Cortisone injections;
• Draining out the fluid by inserting a needle.

The baker's cyst is noticeable when the individual stands or walks. The back of the knee becomes extremely stiff, and the condition escalates to being very painful.

There are some people who face this problem in a marginal form with negligible pain, while some may have identifiable causes backing up the excruciating pain they go through. Thus, it is imperative that you consider consulting an expert, and garner his opinion.