Baker's cyst

A painful swelling below the popliteal fossa may be an indication of a Baker's cyst. This cystic outgrowth, which is usually palpable as a sensitive, often spherical and elastic bulge in the popliteal fossa, should be medically examined and treated to determine the cause of the Baker's cyst and to prevent complications.

contents

• defintion
• symptoms
• causes
• Consequential damage of a Baker cyst
• treatment
• Healing through protection and proper movement

defintion

The cyst was named after the English surgeon William Morrant Baker, who first described it in the 19th century, after discovering this recess in the popliteal fossa in some patients. In medicine, other terms for the Baker's cyst are known, it is also referred to as popliteal cyst, Kniebinnererkrankungszyste or Ausackung the knee joint capsule.

In a Baker cyst, synovial fluid collects behind the knee joint in the popliteal fossa. (Image: Artemida-psy / fotolia.com)

In contrast to a normal cyst, which is a fluid accumulation within a cyst wall, liquid accumulates in the knee joint in a Baker cyst. Since the connective tissue in the popliteal fossa is weak, the Baker cyst occurs in this area. This is why people in middle and old age are particularly affected, because on the one hand, pre-existing conditions that cause a Baker's cyst occur more frequently in them, but also that connective tissue becomes weaker in old age.

symptoms

The Baker cyst is palpable as a bulge on the back of the knee joint. Initially little painful and barely palpable, it develops into a bulging and elastic ball, which is not only noticeable in the popliteal fossa, but also visible. When scanning a significant movement of liquid is also felt.

If the cyst is too large, the following symptoms may occur:

• Numbness through to paralysis in the underlying body parts,
• Water retention (edema) on the lower leg or
• Sudden pain, if the Baker cyst bursts, so there is a rupture (rupture) of the cyst wall.

causes

Several pre-existing conditions can lead to a Baker cyst, including:

• Osteoarthritis and rheumatic diseases,
• chronic damage of the meniscus,
• Violation of the cruciate ligaments or
• Cartilage damage in the knee.

Osteoarthritis in the knee joint can lead to a Baker cyst. (Image: RFBSIP / fotolia.com)

The pre-existing condition causes increased friction within the knee joint. The body responds to this with excessive formation of synovia within the knee joint. Synovia is the synovial fluid, which ensures that the joint is sufficiently lubricated. By increasing the formation of this synovial fluid, the body tries to protect the knee joint from friction. If too much fluid accumulates in the knee joint, it dodges backwards into the connective tissue of the popliteal fossa. This then leads to the articular effusion, known as the Baker cyst.

Consequential damage of a Baker cyst

With a longer-lasting and greatly enlarged Baker's cyst, the cyst wall may get ruptured, i. E. she bursts. There are many vessels between the fasciae in the calf and that is why there is not much room there. The leaked synovial fluid can trigger a compartment syndrome, which means that vessels are pulled off and thus structures die out due to a lack of adequate care.

treatment

When treating a Baker's cyst, it is important to treat the underlying pre-existing condition. In parallel, the Baker cyst must be treated itself. Protection of the knee is often sufficient to reduce the swelling. At the same time, the intake of anti-inflammatory drugs is helpful. If the Baker's cyst has become too large, it must be surgically removed.

Healing through protection and proper movement

Protecting the affected knee may be sufficient in the early days of a Baker cyst to regress. Swimming, as a joint-gentle sport, also helps to reduce the excess tissue fluid.

Nevertheless, a doctor should be consulted so that the cause that led to the development of a Baker's cyst can be clarified and treated. (fp, ok, updated on 18.March 2018)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)