Baker’s cyst

Baker’s cyst is also known as a popliteal cyst, is a type of fluid containing cyst behind knee.

Overview

Overview of Baker’s cyst:

In another term popliteal cyst distend bursa or herniation of synovial membrane through the posterior part of capsule of the knee or escape of fluid through normal communication of bursa with the knee. It fill with synovial inside the knee joint. (Semimembranosus or medial gastrocnemius bursa)

It is most common in adult aged 35 to 70years and children aged 4 to 7 years.

It is named after the surgeon who first described it, William Morrant Baker.

Causes

Causes of Baker’s cyst:

A lubricating fluid called synovial fluid helps your leg swing smoothly and reduces friction between the moving parts of your knee.

But sometimes the knee produces too much synovial fluid, resulting in buildup of fluid in an area on the back of your knee (popliteal bursa), causing a Baker’s cyst. This can happen because of:

Inflammation of the knee joint, such as occurs with various types of arthritis
A knee injury, such as a cartilage tear

It is usually arise from almost any form of knee arthritis or cartilage particularly a meniscus tear.

Bakers cyst arise between the tendons of the medial head of the gastrocnemius and the semimembranosus muscles.

The synovial sac of the knee joint can, under certain circumstances, produce a posterior bulge, into the popliteal space.

Types

Classification of Baker’s cyst:

Primary Baker’s cyst:Idiopathic Bakers cyst. It usually develops in younger people and children.
Secondary Baker’s cyst:Most common type. Develop if there is underlying problem within the knee, such as arthritis (Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis). Or a tear in the meniscal cartilage that lines the inside of the knee joint or an infection within the knee joint.

Sign & Symptoms

Sign & Symptoms of Baker’s cyst:

Swelling behind knee
Pain may increase if cyst breaks open
Knee stiffness and tightness especially when stranding up.
Sensation of clicking or locking of your knee.
Swelling of calf
Rupture of a Bakers cyst may also cause bruising below the medial malleolus of the ankle.

Investigation

Investigation of Baker’s cyst i.e.:

Ultrasonography or MRI
MRI shows high signal intensity homogenous cystic mass

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Baker’s cyst:

In General, Based on Physical Examination and clinical sign and symptoms of the patient.
Moreover, A Baker’s cyst is easier to see from behind with the patient standing with knees fully extended.
It is most easily palpated (felt) with the knee partially flexed.
Transillumination test: Positive
In detail, If the lumps grows quickly or have night pain, severe pain, fever need more test to make sure other type of tumors
Besides this, Diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasonography although if needed and there is no suspicion of a popliteal artery aneurysm then aspiration of synovial fluid from the cyst may be undertaken with care.
Lastly, An MRI mage can reveal presence of a Baker’s cyst.

Differential Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis Baker’s cysts

Lipomas
Vascular mass
Benign soft tissue tumor
Thrombophlebitis
Peripheral nerve sheath tumor

Treatment

Treatment of Baker’s cyst:

Baker’s cyst usually require no treatment unless they are symptomatic.
It is very rare that the symptoms are actually coming from the cyst. In most cases, there is another disorder in the knee (e.g. arthritis, meniscal (cartilage) tear, etc.) that is causing the problem.
Initial treatment should direct at correcting the source of the increased fluid production. Additionally, Often rest and leg elevation are all that is needed.
If necessary, the cyst can aspirate to reduce its size, then injected with a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation.
Surgical excision is reserve for cysts that cause a great amount of discomfort to the patient.

Ruptured cyst

A ruptured cyst is treating with rest, leg elevation, and injection of a corticosteroid into the knee.
Baker’s cysts in children, unlike in older people, nearly always disappear with time, and rarely require excision.
Ice pack therapy may sometimes an effective way of controlling the pain related to Baker’s cyst, Heat is also commonly using.
A knee brace can offer support giving the feeling of stability in the joint.[2]
Supportive care/ Support stockings
Physiotherapy
Ice therapy
Fluid Aspiration
Steroid injection
Surgical removal

Complication

Complication of Baker’s cyst:

Deep vein thrombosis (in other words DVT)
Quick assessment of the possibility of DVT may require where a Baker’s cyst has compressed vascular structures, causing leg edema, as this sets up conditions for a DVT to develop.
A burst cyst commonly causes calf pain, swelling and redness that may mimic thrombophlebitis.
Common peroneal nerve and tibial nerve compression.
Posterior compartment syndrome
Infected

Homeopathic Treatment

Homeopathic Treatment of Baker’s cyst:

Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis.

which includes

The medical history of the patient,
Physical and mental constitution,
Family history,
Presenting symptoms,
Underlying pathology,
Possible causative factors etc.

A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions.

What Homoeopathic doctors do?

A homeopathy doctor tries to treat more than just the presenting symptoms. The focus is usually on what caused the disease condition? Why ‘this patient’ is sick ‘this way’?.

The disease diagnosis is important but in homeopathy, the cause of disease not just probed to the level of bacteria and viruses. Other factors like mental, emotional and physical stress that could predispose a person to illness also looked for. No a days, even modern medicine also considers a large number of diseases as psychosomatic. The correct homeopathy remedy tries to correct this disease predisposition.

The focus is not on curing the disease but to cure the person who is sick, to restore the health. If a disease pathology not very advanced, homeopathy remedies do give a hope for cure but even in incurable cases, the quality of life can greatly improved with homeopathic medicines.

Homeopathic Medicines for Bakers cyst:

The homeopathic remedies (medicines) given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the homeopathy treatment of this condition. The symptoms listed against each homeopathic remedy may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications also taken into account for selecting a remedy.

Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution, family history, presenting symptoms, underlying pathology, possible causative factors etc.

A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions. A homeopathy doctor tries to treat more than just the presenting symptoms. The focus is usually on what caused the disease condition? Why ‘this patient’ is sick ‘this way’.

The disease diagnosis is important but in homeopathy, the cause of disease is not just probed to the level of bacteria and viruses. Other factors like mental, emotional and physical stress that could predispose a person to illness are also looked for. No a days, even modern medicine also considers a large number of diseases as psychosomatic. The correct homeopathy remedy tries to correct this disease predisposition.

The focus is not on curing the disease but to cure the person who is sick, to restore the health. If a disease pathology is not very advanced, homeopathy remedies do give a hope for cure but even in incurable cases, the quality of life can be greatly improved with homeopathic medicines.

The homeopathic remedies (medicines)

given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the homeopathy treatment of this condition. The symptoms listed against each homeopathic remedy may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications are also taken into account for selecting a remedy.

Benzoic acid

Well indicated medicine for baker cyst. Benzoic Acid is a medicine used to treat a swollen knee due to gout.
Along with swelling, painful nodes on the knee joint may be present.
Gouty deposits of joints.
Pain and swelling in knees.
Drawing pain in the knees, a cracking sound upon movement also aggravation of the symptoms might indicate the need for this medicine.
Bunion of great toe.
Tearing pain in great toe.
There are cracking sounds in joints on motion.

Calcarea flour

Well indicated medicine either for ganglia or encysted tumors at the back of the wrist and popliteal fossa.
Gouty enlargements of the joints.
Chronic synovitis of knee joint.

Iodum

Joints inflamed also painful.
Pain in knee joints at night.
There occurs white swelling of joints.
Specifically for acrid sweat from feet.
Well indicated medicine for baker cyst.

Silicea

Well indicated medicine for baker cyst.
Silicea is a natural medicine for housemaid’s knee also swelling when knee pains are tearing in nature.
Pressure and exercise worsen the pain over the knee.
The knee is also highly swollen and shining.
Pain in knee, as if tightly bound, Pain beneath toes.
Calves are tense also contracted.
Loss of power in legs.

Mercurius solubis

Well indicated medicine for baker cyst in knees.
Contraction of legs and cramps in calves of legs
There occur dropsical swelling of legs.
There is great weakness, heaviness and painful weariness in thighs and legs.

Precautions

Many activities can put strain on the knee, and cause pain in the case of Baker’s cyst.
Avoiding activities such as squatting, kneeling, heavy lifting, climbing, and even running can help prevent pain.
Despite this, some exercises can help relieve pain, and a physiotherapist may instruct on stretching and strengthening the quadriceps and/or the patellar ligament.

FAQs

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