1. Oh, Swell
Baker cysts form when joint fluid in the knee pushes into the area at the back of the knee. The weight of the body compresses the knee and traps the fluid between the joint bones, creating a fluid-filled sac. The sac may cause the knee to swell, leading to discomfort or pain. Joint disorders that cause swelling, like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis, contribute to the creation of a Baker cyst. Injuries to the knee, such as a tear in the cartilage, often result in Baker cysts. Symptoms for a Baker cyst mirror symptoms for other conditions, such as blood clots.
2. Bulging Knees
Unlike bulging biceps, a bulging knee indicates a serious problem. If you stand with your knees together, you should be able to notice the bulge in the knee with the Baker cyst. The bulge will be soft and tender to the touch. Baker cysts produce a feeling of tightness in the knee, which may be painful. Even if it isn't painful, a Baker cyst left untreated poses the threat of rupturing or allowing fluid to leak into other areas of the leg. Sometimes this fluid creates a separation, known as dissection, between the calf muscles.
3. Diagnose the Problem
Just because your knee bulges doesn't mean you have a Baker cyst. To accurately diagnosis the condition, a primary care physician may refer you to a specialist or order an MRI scan, an arthrogram or an ultrasound. All three radiological tests provide a detailed look at the soft tissue in the knee. In arthrogram testing, a doctor injects a contrasting material like dye into the knee to distinguish tissue structures during an X-ray. On occasion, doctors use dye with an MRI scan, which shows problems an X-ray may not detect.
4. Compare the Price
With Baker cysts, self-treatment often works to alleviate the problem and costs less than doctor visits and radiological testing. Use the "PRICE" principles of protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation as the first step for self-treatment. Crutches can support the weight of your body to allow the joint to decompress, which may allow the fluid sac to disperse. Anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving drugs often help the condition, and you may need to scale back your physical activity level until the situation resolves.
5. Watch Out for Icebergs
The part of the iceberg visible from the Titanic didn't seem so large; the part hidden by the water caused most of the damage. Many doctors prefer to treat the hidden aspects like torn cartilage, which helps heal a Baker cyst. Doctors may recommend physical therapy to strengthen the knee, or they may perform surgery to repair tears. Other treatments include cortisone injection into the knee to reduce swelling and draining the fluid from the cyst with a needle. If treating the underlying problem doesn't correct the Baker cyst, the doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug to keep the swelling down.
