BAKER'S CYST - A Baker's cyst is a fluid-filled cyst that causes a bulge and a feeling
of tightness behind your knee. The pain can get worse when you fully
flex or extend your knee or when you are active. A Baker's cyst is caused when excess joint fluid is pushed into one of the small sacs of tissue behind the knee. When this sac fills with fluid and bulges out, it is called a cyst. The excess fluid is usually caused by conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis that irritate the knee. It may also be caused by an injury.
Symptoms can include pain, swelling and tightness behind the knee. Rarely, a Baker's cyst can split open (rupture) and cause similar symptoms to a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A Baker's cyst often gets better and disappears by itself over time. However, there are various treatments that may help if you do have symptoms associated with it.
In general, the larger the Baker's cyst, the more likely it is to produce symptoms. You may be able to see or feel the swelling behind your knee. Sometimes you may also notice that the knee joint itself is swollen. Some people feel an ache around the knee area. It may be difficult to bend your knee if you have a large Baker's cyst and the area behind your knee may feel tight, especially when you are standing up. Less commonly, you may feel a sensation of clicking or locking of your knee.
Often a Baker's cyst causes no pain. When symptoms occur, they may include:
- Tightness or stiffness behind the knee.
- Swelling behind the knee that may get worse when you stand.
- Slight pain behind the knee and into the upper calf. You are most likely to feel this when you bend your knee or straighten it all the way.
Symptoms can include pain, swelling and tightness behind the knee. Rarely, a Baker's cyst can split open (rupture) and cause similar symptoms to a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A Baker's cyst often gets better and disappears by itself over time. However, there are various treatments that may help if you do have symptoms associated with it.
In general, the larger the Baker's cyst, the more likely it is to produce symptoms. You may be able to see or feel the swelling behind your knee. Sometimes you may also notice that the knee joint itself is swollen. Some people feel an ache around the knee area. It may be difficult to bend your knee if you have a large Baker's cyst and the area behind your knee may feel tight, especially when you are standing up. Less commonly, you may feel a sensation of clicking or locking of your knee.
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