A baker’s cyst is a condition where the bursa in the knee becomes inflamed. It is not a contagious or malignant condition. The inflammation is a result of the wear and tear of the joint. Patients suffering from arthritis are at higher risk of suffering from baker’s cyst. The knee is a synovial joint. This type of joint has a fluid in it known as synovial fluid which acts as a lubrication for the joint to operate. It also absorbs some of the shock that the joint would experience in day to day use such as while jumping or running. When a person suffers from baker’s cysts, what happens is that the synovial sac, which contains the fluid, begins to bulge into the cavity towards the back of the knee joint. The bulge will continue to grow until it can be felt by touching the area. Because this bulge is actually still connected to the synovial joint, it is not a cyst by medical definition. However, it is termed as a cyst anyway. If it is not treated properly a baker’s cyst can burst, causing intense pain in the joint and in the calf which is just below the knee. A baker’s cyst can be diagnosed by touching the area, through ultrasound imaging or through an MRI scan.
In cases where the symptoms are not too severe, the cyst can be treated without any medication or surgery. The patient will be required to rest regularly. One may also be required to keep the leg in an elevated position to allow the joint to rest fully. Your doctor may also remove some of the fluid from the cyst by using a medical device known as an aspirator. The aspirator tube will be inserted into the joint and the fluid will be drained out by suction. This is necessary for particularly painful cysts and is the one step that could be taken to avoid surgery. If the cyst has become too large or has burst, you may require surgery in the area along with some sort of medication.
Other non invasive steps to cure a baker’s cyst exist. You can relieve the pain by having some regular pain killer medication, although you should be careful not to consume more than the prescribed limit of pain killers. You can also use a cold or hot compress on the area. Both these will provide some relief although none should be used for more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.