Baker’s Cyst Knee

Baker’s Cyst Knee is a condition that filled with fluid in knee joint. It causes a bulge and a feeling of tightness behind knee joint. A Baker’s cyst can form when joint-lubricating fluid fills a cushioning pouch (bursa) at the back of your knee.   

Symptoms:

• A fluid-filled lump behind your knee.
• Pain.
• Stiffness of your knee.
• Limited range of motion and ability to bend your knee.
• Swelling of your knee and/or leg.

Causes:

Though baker’s cyst knee caused by injury or a condition like arthritis , but patient should go through treatment as soon as possible in this condition otherwise it can develop joint damages. Such as:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Meniscus Injury
• Inflammation
• Gout

Investigation:

• X-ray: This test won’t necessarily show the Baker’s cyst itself, but it can be used to see if you have arthritis in your knee. Arthritis is one of the possible causes of a Baker’s cyst.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans: An MRI uses magnetic waves instead of X-rays to show detailed images inside the body. This test can give your provider even more information about what might be causing the Baker’s cyst.
• Ultrasound: It is a simple and painless test, an ultrasound uses sound waves to determine if the lump is solid or fluid.

                                                                  Treatment

In acute condition patient can apply the RICE method:

• Resting the affected leg whenever possible.
• Applying ice to knee.
• Using compression wraps on knee to decrease the amount of joint swelling.
• Elevating knee while you are resting.                                               

In chronic condition patient must concern with a physiotherapist for better solution. A physiotherapist will apply two types of treatments. They are:

Manual therapies:

Towel or belt stretch

• Sit on the ground with the feet straight out in front.
• Take the towel/belt and wrap it around the toes on one foot.
• Gently pull back until a stretch runs from the bottom of the foot up to the back of the lower leg.
• Hold this stretch for 30–60 seconds.
• Switch to the other leg and repeat.

Isometric strengthening

Patient may role out a towel. Place it below the knee gape. Than press the knee and hold for minimum 10 seconds.

Straight leg raise

• While lying on your back, bend one leg while extending the other straight in front of you. It can apply with sitting on a chair.
• Tighten the muscles on your leg and slowly lift your straight leg.
• Hold your leg about a foot off of the floor and squeeze for 3-5 seconds.
• Slowly lower your leg to the floor.
• Repeat with the other leg.

Electrical therapies:

1. UST- It is a sound wave which passes through in deep tissues and also makes a resonance that increase blood circulation and release pain.
2. TENS- Electromagnetic wave that helps to reduce pain.
3. HIL- Helps in deep penetration and reduce pain.

Prevention:

In order to prevent the baker’s cyst knee patient should avoid injury or an overload of knee muscles. It is very important to do an appropriate warm-up and cool down, while playing sports. For example, if patient plays volleyball, it is advisable to wear knee pads. This will prevent falling on the kneecap. Also when patient spent a lot of time on standing posture than it is advisable to wear knee pads.