What is Baker's Cyst?

A Baker's cyst is a fluid-filled cyst (Swelling) that causes a bulge and a feeling of tightness behind your knee. Activities can worsen the pain such as while you flex or extend your knee. Also, Cysts can exert pressure on underlying anatomical structures such as veins, arteries, nerves, etc. The cyst can vary in size, from a very small to a large. Also, change in size is very common.

Causes of baker's cyst:

  • A Baker's cyst occurs due to underlying intraarticular problems with the knee or/and inflammation. Baker's cyst commonly occurs as a result of losing body formed in the condition such as ACL tear, osteoarthritis, meniscal tear, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, etc.

Symptoms:

  • vague posterior knee pain, swelling and a mass behind your knee, limited knee range of motion, stiffness in the back of the knee, and inability to fully flex the knee, sometimes increased by activity, tightness behind the knee.

Medical management:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), steroid injection, Ultrasound-guided needle aspiration, Surgery removal of the cyst, Physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy Treatment of Baker's cyst:

  • Icing:
    • Icing for 15 minutes every 4-7 hours can reduce the inflammation.
  • Knee joint ROM exercises:
    • Knee ROM exercises will increase the movement of the knee as well as increase flexibility. Examples of exercises are-
    • Heel slide- Keeping knees straight lie on your back > Bend the affected knee as you Slide the heel on the ground > exerts a gentle stretch in this position and then extend the knee to return to the original position.
  • Stretching exercises such as:
    • Hamstring stretching- Sit with your heel on the ground and your knee straight > with your knee straight, and then slowly lean forward until you feel a stretch behind your knee and thigh
    • Standing calf stretch- stand close to a wall > while keeping both feet pointed toward the wall take a Step forward with one foot > Keep the knee of your posterior leg straight > lean forward toward the wall while holding your hands out in front of you and bending your front knee until you feel a gentle stretch around your straight leg > You can adjust the stretch of the back leg by moving closer or farther away from the wall.
  • Strengthening exercise:
    • Quadriceps strengthening- Wall squats- Lean against a wall or a door so that your feet are about a foot away from you > Slide your body down while keeping your back against the wall > Hold for three seconds, then return back to an upright position.
    • Side Stepping- Begin with a resistance band around your ankles and your knee slightly bent > Keep your weight on your heels as you slowly take a step out to the side and It is important not to lose tension in your band as you follow the other leg.
  • Manual therapy such as:
    • Deep tissue massage, compression wrap, Tissue flossing.
  • Electrotherapy:
    • Combo therapy (US + TENS).