

KNEE SURGERY

	KNEE REPLACEMENT ARTHROSCOPIC PROCEDURES KNEE ANATOMY AND FUNCTION
KNEE CONDITIONS

	PATELLAR TENDONITIS CHONDROMALACIA PATELLA RUNNERS KNEE BAKER'S CYST BURSITIS ARTHRITIS OSTEOARTHRITIS PLICA SYNDROME OSGOOD-SCHLATTER DISEASE OSTEOCHONDRITIS (OCD) PATELLOFEMORAL DISORDERS
KNEE INJURIES

	ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY (ACL) ARTICULAR CARTILAGE LESIONS LATERAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT INJURY (LCL) MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT INJURY (MCL) PATELLAR TENDON RUPTURE POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY (PCL) TORN MENISCUS (Cartilage) FRACTURES & DISLOCATIONS
PATIENT RESOURCES

	SPORTS RELATED KNEE INJURIES BEFORE KNEE SURGERY KNEE SURGERY RECOVERY Insurance Carriers

Bakers Cyst

The cartilage and tendons in your knee rely on a lubricating fluid called synovial fluid. This fluid helps your leg swing smoothly and reduces friction between the moving parts of your knee.

Synovial fluid circulates throughout your knee and passes in and out of various tissue pouches (bursae) throughout your knee. A valve-like system exists between your knee joint and the bursa on the back of your knee (popliteal bursa). This regulates the amount of synovial fluid going in and out of the bursa.

But sometimes the knee produces too much synovial fluid, resulting in buildup of fluid in the bursa and what is called a Baker's cyst.

Baker cysts are not uncommon and can be caused by virtually any cause of joint swelling (arthritis). The most common form of arthritis associated with Baker cysts is osteoarthritis, also called degenerative arthritis. Baker cysts also can result from cartilage tears (such as a torn meniscus), rheumatoid arthritis, and other knee problems.

A Baker cyst may cause no symptoms or be associated with knee pain and/or tightness behind the knee, especially when the knee is extended or fully flexed. Baker cysts are usually visible as a bulge behind the knee which is particularly noticeable on standing and comparing to the opposite uninvolved knee. They are generally soft and minimally tender.

Baker cysts can become complicated by protrusion of fluid down the leg between the muscles of the calf (dissection). The cyst can rupture, leaking fluid down the inner leg to sometimes give the inner ankle the appearance of a painless bruise. Baker cyst dissection and rupture are frequently associated with swelling of the leg and can mimic phlebitis of the leg.

The surgery itself is quite simple and the cyst can usually just be peeled off. The surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis, so you won't have to stay overnight in the hospital. You'll be given general anesthesia to put you to sleep or spinal anesthesia to numb the leg. The doctor will then make an incision in the skin over the cyst. After removing the sac, he may sew a synthetic patch over the hole in the joint lining.

After surgery, your knee will be bandaged with a dressing and splint for support. Most of the stitches used to hold the incision closed will be absorbed into your body. Any that remain will be removed by your doctor after 10 to 14 days. In the meantime, keep the incision dry for the first 24 hours. After that, you can shower, but dry the wound right away. Clean the incision 3 or 4 times a day with soap and water; or use a cotton swab dipped in a mixture of half water and half hydrogen peroxide. Once the stitches or staples are removed, your doctor may put small strips of tape across the wound. Leave them on as long as instructed.