Baker's Cyst - Causes and Signs of Baker's Cyst

Types of Baker's cyst

There are four types of Baker's cyst:

• the first type - the shape of the cyst resembles a bird's beak or a crescent. In this case, the bursa of the medial head of the semimembranosus muscle and the gastrocnemius muscle do not communicate;
• the second type - the cyst has the shape of a "St. Andrew's cross", the bursae of both muscles communicate with each other, while the fluid has the ability to spread throughout all its parts;

• the third type - the shape of the cyst is a sickle or a slit. Characterized by fluid deficiency. Ultrasound shows a hypoechoic strip several millimeters wide, located on the head of the gastrocnemius muscle;
• the fourth type - the cyst has the shape of a bunch of grapes.

In chronic diseases of the knee joint, the cyst forms synechiae, septa or daughter cysts.

Causes

Baker's cysts can appear in the following cases:

• knee injuries;
• damage or degeneration of the meniscus;
• damage to the cartilage of the knee joint;
• inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint (chronic synovitis);
• osteoarthritis;
• patellofemoral arthrosis;
• osteoarthritis;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• sometimes occur for no apparent reason.

Symptoms

In the early stages, the disease is asymptomatic or accompanied by minor discomfort.

Symptoms indicating the presence of a Baker's cyst:

• discomfort in the popliteal region;
• feeling of pain or pressure in the popliteal region;
• pain when moving the knee joint;
• periodic blockade of the knee joint;
• presence of swelling on the back of the knee;
• presence of concomitant diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis);
• tension of the knee joint;
• numbness or tingling in the sole;
• when bending the knee, the cyst decreases in size, and it is also possible that it disappears completely;
• the cyst is most noticeable when the knee is extended;
• swelling of the knee joint;
• swelling of the lower leg (if the cyst ruptures);
• blood stagnation, formation of blood clots and development of phlebitis;
• venous insufficiency;
• pulmonary embolism (a consequence of a ruptured thrombus);
• necrosis, osteomyelitis (in rare cases).

Diagnosis of the disease

To confirm the correctness of the diagnosis, you need to come to the orthopedist or traumatologist for an examination. The doctor carries out a primary examination of the knee and palpation of the cyst.

Diagnostic examination methods that allow you to accurately determine the presence of a cyst, its size, as well as the relationship of the cyst with other elements that make up the knee joint, are:

• X-ray of the knee joint;
• Ultrasound of the knee joint;
• Arthroscopy of the knee joint;
• MRI of the knee joint.

It is also necessary to puncture the cyst itself, followed by extraction of its contents for research of the intracystic fluid.

In complex cases, a surgeon's consultation is necessary.

Baker's cyst can be a secondary manifestation of various pathologies or diseases of the knee joint. To conduct diagnostics, it is necessary to assess the general condition of the knee joint.

Treatment

Baker's cyst treatment can be performed in the following ways:

Conservative treatment is carried out by puncturing the cyst with a thick needle. The contents of the cyst are aspirated, and various steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (hydrocortisone, dispropane, etc.) are injected into its cavity. This method of treatment does not always lead to a cure for the disease. Relapses often occur; surgical removal of the cyst. Indications for surgical removal are: huge cyst size, inability to bend the knee, compression of the vascular-nerve bundle by the cyst, ineffectiveness of conservative treatment.

When treating a cyst, it is necessary to also treat concomitant inflammatory diseases of the knee and knee joint. Treatment is carried out using anti-inflammatory ointments, tablets, various compresses, drug blockades (hormonal injections) and physiotherapy.

Prevention

In order to prevent the development of Baker's cyst, it is necessary to follow the following rules:

• timely treatment of various diseases of the knee joint;
• moderate physical activity on the knee joint.