Bakers Cyst

Question: How to make ruptured Baker's cyst heal faster? I have a Baker's cyst under my knee, which ruptured recently and leaked into my leg, causing horrible pain in my calf muscle. My GP said that the liquid needs to re-absorb into the tissues and that it can take either days or months... Is there anything I can do/take to make it heal faster? I am already taking Ibuprofen, keeping my leg elevated and massaging it.

Answer: pack it with iodoform gauze. it will promote healing and also help avoid infection. Keep your blood sugar under control if you want to heal faster you can do some upper body exercise while resting in a chair

Question: I have a Baker's Cyst on the right leg near the knee. My doctor told me it might be from a torn cartilage. Can anyone give me any information about Baker's Cyst? And if it is a torn cartilage is surgery required?

Answer: Generally speaking, a Baker's cyst is a benign swelling that originates from the knee joint, and is often (but not always) associated with some kind of arthritic or cartilagenous damage. The knee joint is contained in what's called a "synovial sack" and when that gets damaged for any reason, it swells into that space behind your knee. Sometimes the swelling even pinches off into its own discrete area. That's what usually causes the pain. Whether or not the torn cartilage requires surgery depends very much on how serious it is and what problems it's causing you. Your doctor is the one you should ask, or you can get a referral for a physiologist or an orthopedic surgeon if you need one. It's not always necessary. Cartilage will not really repair itself, but minor tears may not be worth the trouble of surgery and you may also benefit from physical therapy.

Question: what is the post care from having surgery on a baker's cyst? Can anyone tell me how long this surgery is and the after care at home is? Thank you

Answer: After surgery you need to slowly rehab your knee by flexing it. Baker's cyst is a normal variant unless it becomes inflammed. Don't knee and pray after surgery!!

Question: Should I run with a Baker's cyst? I think I have a Baker's cyst behind my knee in the backside of my leg. It's a little lump about the width of a nickel. It's been six days since I noticed it and it's still the same shape. It isn't painful but it occasionally feels like there is tightness in my hamstring. I have a doctor appointment in six days. Should I still see the doctor if it disappears by that time?

Answer: Don't cancel your doctor's appointment - confirm the diagnosis with your doctor. A Baker's cyst is a small pouch in the back of the knee. It is not visible or palpable unless there is an increase in the amount of fluid in the knee. If this occurs, then the cyst will enlarge. The cyst itself is usually not a problem. Whatever is causing the swelling in the knee may be a problem. If you are able to run without pain and the cyst does not seem to enlarge, then go ahead and continue running. If there is an increase in swelling or pain occurs, then stick with any non-impact activities which don't cause a problem. Evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon is a good idea. You may have some torn cartilage in the knee or other problem causing the cyst to swell. If everything turns out okay, then you can continue running to your heart's content. Again, seek advice from your doctor. Good luck ;)

Question: Reappearance of Baker's Cyst on 8 yr olds knee. what should we do? About a month ago our 8yr old son went to the Dr to have his Baker's Cyst drained. Well, it's back already. He said there is really no pain but we are undecided on what to do, surgery or not. We don't want it to get to the point where there is pain. Can these resolve by themselves? Plz help!

Answer: Baker's cyst is usually the result from a misalignment of the knee, causing excessive pressure to the knee joint capsule to herniate and form the cyst. You may want to ask the doctor for a referral to a physical therapist to have the knee properly corrected.

Question: I have a baker's cyst in my right knee? Will a color doppler test show if the cyst is ruptured?

Answer: Yes colour doppler can show up the findings of the baker's cyst... The leakage of the fluid is detected as a colour escaping in the colour doppler.. the cyst shows up as a hollow mass behind the knee.. But one exception is, if the cyst is completely ruptured and no fluid at all inside, than it cannot throw up on the investigation... But once diagnosed it needs excision....

Question: What's a Baker's cyst? The ultrasound technician says it looks like a Baker's cyst... anybody know what the treatment is for that?

Answer: Please see the web pages for more details and images on Baker's cyst (Rheumatoid Arthritis). It is a swelling about the knee due to escape of Synovial fluid in popliteal bursitis.

Question: Baker's Cyst? Hi All, Just two days ago in the kitchen while sauteing a fillet of trout, I realised that I had a tight bump behind my knee. I went to the GP after a sleepless night and he diagnosed me with a Baker's Cyst - GREAT! I am a 32 year old man, with a family history of athritis but I do take care of myself; I'm not overweight, have a VERY health lifestyle and exersizefor up to an hour every day - running. Here are my questions: -Will the cyst dissapear on its own without surgery if I rest my legs? -How long will it take to go away? -Can I still exersize with the cycst present? -Should I switch from running to cycling? -Can taking Glucosamine Sulphate be part the cause of the cyst? I am the type of person who is a little addicted to regular exersize and will be devistated if I cannot be active. Please help? Daniel

Answer: It should just go away on its own. Occasionally they have to be drained but its unusual. Anti inflammatories can help if you have any pain. Your GP or pharmacist can advise you re medication. In healthy people they can occur after a knee injury but you may not remember injuring yourself and it could be just "one of those things". Id just get on with your life as usual if i was you and forget about it, particularly if it dosnt hurt. Here is a BBC health link that explains it very well. http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/b… Hope this helps.

Question: Think I've bursted a Baker's Cyst. Will it return? Several years ago I had arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn medial menicus. I've had several injuries to that knee, over the years, and have arthritis and have long suspected that a Baker's cyst has developed behind my knee. I had all the symtoms. The other day I tripped and fell, hitting the front, lower part of my bad knee on the floor. It was very sore and stiff and felt tight and warm to the touch for two days. Then, the pain subsided, the tightness went away and my knee feels better than it has in ages. I still have a little tenderness where I hit the floor but I'm thinking that the jolt bursted the Baker's cyst. I can now straighten my leg out, the tightness/pressure is gone and the puffiness and ache around my knee has subsided considerably. I can't believe how much better my knee feels, it's amazing. My question is...if I did indeed burst a cyst, will it come back? Anything I can do to prevent it from coming back?

Answer: Even though it seems as if the cyst has drained for the time being, it is most likely that it will recur. Sorry.

Question: Will a baker's cyst go away? I was diagnosed with a ruptured Baker's cyst in my left leg about a month ago, and was given a shot of cortizone 2 weeks ago for the pain, but the pain is back just as bad as it was before I even got the shot. Do I have to just deal and wait for it to go away or should I get another shot, or get it removed?

Answer: You might need to have it removed unless you want to continue the expense and time of getting shots. But prior to doing so, just for the heck of it go get some vitamin E gel caps at least 400mg and take one a day for a few weeks just to see if it has any effect on it because I know so many people including myself who have battled annoying cysts and the vitamin if not shrinks the cyst down over time it has also been known to eliminate cysts as well. So give that a try for a few weeks, once a day in the morning, the dosage on the bottle reads 2x per day with most vitamin E, but if you get a 400mg or slightly above that, one should be effective enough. Good luck!

Question: exactly what is a baker's cyst? Please explain this cyst to me and if surgery is needed and what is the post operative care needed afterwards if this is necessary.

Answer: Its not really a cyst - its an overfilled bursa usually behind the knee. The bursa secrete synovial fluid around a joint to keep it lubricated. Sometimes the fluid builds up and causes the bursa to bulge - the bulge is called a baker's cyst. I have no idea where they come up with these names! Baker's cysts are usually a symptom of some other problem, so there's no way to say if surgery is needed to correct the problem - it depends on the problem causing the cyst to develop. Doctors can drain the cyst with a needle, and it goes away instantly, but this doesn't solve the problem that caused the cyst to develop. Sometimes the cyst is caused by chronic inflammation and other times its caused by irritation due to friction in the joint in places where the joint is damaged. If the cause is inflammation, it can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and surgery is probably unnecessary. If the cyst is caused by damage to the cartilage or arthritis, surgery may be required. For these types of surgeries, post-op care is usually focused on any rehab needs such as strengthening certain muscles, or stretching tight muscles.

Question: recovery time for removal of a baker's cyst from behind the knee?

Answer: 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.

Question: Is there any connection betw a Baker's Cyst & Fungal Infection? Please if you can include source of reference material and what natural remedy you reccommend for fungal infection.

Answer: A Baker's Cyst is a synovial fluid collection behind your knee - it is not a cyst. It collects there because there was a weakness in the ligament and the fluid pooled there. I have never heard of any causation between this pseudo-cyst and a fungal infection. Websites are abundant. Google Bakers cyst. Go to pubmed.com.

Question: Posterior knee pain, 4 months after post medial meniscal surgery. Possible baker's cyst, hamstring area? Have seen the doctor 3 times since surgery, he can't figure it out...arthritis, hamstring strain? PT with ice, no relief...meds don't do much either...gets worse as the day goes on...hard to flex. 46 y/o former UT runner...where is the pain coming from? The pain is right behind the knee and throbs at times, night time in the bed as well. Worse as the day goes on. Have had 4 surgerys on this knee...Grade IV femoral malicia. Is it a possible tear, baker cyst or what causing the pain? I have run out of options. Anybody experience this? Relief mechanisms? Recovery time?

Answer: I doubt it is a Baker's cyst - they get quite large and you would be ale to see a bulge. Possible patella femoral syndrome? You could also have a horrible case of OA. I am 37 and I have had five knee surgeries (one to remove a Baker's cyst). I know the majority of my problems now are due to OA...Not much you can do about it unless you go for a knee replacement. Maybe you should go to a different doc to get a second opinion. I have a fantastic surgeon now....if you want his name, let me know (I live in Austin)

Question: when will the pain of a baker's cyst go away? behind the knee

Answer: where is it located?

Question: i don't know if i have a baker's cyst but i think i have one similar to it? i was told by a doc that i have a 1in cyst on the back of my knee i do believe i wasn't told exactly where but my knee locks up sometimes and locks up really good and continues to be in pain when it is unlocked now i was also told i have tendinitis and bursitis at one time or another and i don't know if they are forms of arthritis or not but i just would like to know if all my doctors were lying to me about not needing to have surgery i was told by a doc that i have a 1in cyst on the back of my knee i do believe i wasn't told exactly where but my knee locks up sometimes and locks up really good and continues to be in pain when it is unlocked now i was also told i have tendinitis and bursitis at one time or another and i don't know if they are forms of arthritis or not but i just would like to know if all my doctors were lying to me about not needing to have surgery ive had MRIs and all that lovely jazz but supposedly they dont see anything wrong with it i was told by my old primary that he felt a peice of bone or something moving around in my kneecap and yet the orthopedics say i dont have water in my knee and they didn't even try to take another look at it but it still keeps lockin up at night and kills when i wake up the next mornin when i try to move it around to make it get unlocked

Answer: A baker's cyst is just that: a cyst that is found on the back of your knee. It is a collection spot for synovial fluid. This synovial fluid is produced by the synovial tissue in the knee joint. It serves to lubricate the joint. When there is an irritation in the knee, i.e. torn meniscus, articular cartilage damage, arthritis, synovitis, then too much fluid is made. This is known as "water on the knee'. It collects in the back area of the knee, the spot with the most loose tissue to accomodate it, forming the cyst known as "Baker's cyst" If this cyst is persistant, or grows larger, then you might consider looking at the cause of this with an MRI. This only should be considered if you are willing and able to have the surgery to "Fix" it. No need to do that expensive test just for curiosity of the cause..