QUESTION: I have a Baker's cyst in my right knee. I've had it drained twice, but it keeps coming back. Are there any other treatments? Is there an operation that can fix it once and for all?

ANSWER: Your situation is fairly common. A Baker's cyst (also called a popliteal cyst) is a fluid-filled sac that can develop in the popliteal space, the hollow at the back of the knee joint.

Baker's cysts are named for William Morrant Baker, a 19th-Century surgeon who first described the condition. The cyst is filled with synovial fluid, which lubricates the knee joint. Synovial fluid reduces friction between the various parts of all your joints, including your knee, which needs lubrication to flex and extend smoothly.

Although there are several ways to treat a Baker's cyst, surgery is an uncommon choice. But whatever the treatment, the cyst will often recur if the underlying cause hasn't been corrected.

A Baker's cyst can be caused by an injury to the knee, such as a tear in a meniscus. Damage to the cartilage from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis can lead to Baker's cysts. These conditions may cause the synovial cells lining the knee joint to produce excess fluid. If the fluid bulges into the popliteal space, a cyst can develop. The excess fluid could cause the whole knee to become swollen, too.

A Baker's cyst is often found during a physical exam or an ultrasound performed for other reasons. It may cause no symptoms at all. But it can cause pain, swelling and joint stiffness. Sometimes the bulge is so large that it's hard to fully bend or straighten the leg.

Baker's cysts aren't dangerous, and they may go away on their own. But, occasionally, they burst. If that happens, synovial fluid can leak into your calf below, causing pain and swelling.

These symptoms are similar to the symptoms associated with having a blood clot in your calf, deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. That's why it's important to find the source of the problem right away.

If your Baker's cyst causes discomfort or interferes with your daily activities, there are several things you can do. To bring down swelling, apply a cold pack to the area or use a compression wrap. To reduce inflammation, take an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil).

Because stress on the knee joint can increase inflammation, rest your leg and keep it elevated whenever you can. When you're up and about, use a cane or crutch. Sometimes, as in your case, a Baker's cyst needs to be drained. Your doctor may want to inject cortisone into your knee joint to quell inflammation.

See the original post:
Harvard Medical School Adviser: Fix underlying cause of Baker's cyst