What is a Bakers Cyst ?
One of my clients who had a knee replacement latterly experienced increasing pain. A scan subsequently revealed she has a Bakers Cyst.
So What is a Bakers Cyst ?
A Baker’s cyst, also called a popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled swelling that develops at the back of the knee and named after the surgeon who first described it, William Morrant Baker (1838–1896).
It is caused by a problem with the knee joint or the tissue behind it. The swelling may cause pain in the knee and calf, a build-up of fluid around the knee, occasionally locking or clicking in the knee joint, however, it may cause no symptoms at all.
Causes may include:
- a sports injury
- rheumatoid arthritis
- osteoarthritis
- gout
You can reduce the swelling and relieve any pain using ice, over-the-counter painkillers and bandages. The cyst may go away when the condition causing it has been treated.
Treatment of a Bakers Cyst.
A Baker’s cyst is more common in women than men, probably because women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It usually develops in people aged over 40, although it can affect people of any age, including children.
