10 Baker's Cyst Symptoms

By nigel

Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky

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A Baker’s cyst, also referred to as a popliteal cyst, is a swollen, fluid-filled cyst that occurs at the back of the knee. This cyst usually makes the patient’s knee tight and can inhibit their range of motion. They can be painful when they become serious, especially when bending or moving the legs. In most cases, the problem arises because of another issue that affects the knee joint. Arthritis and injuries to the cartilage are two common causes of Baker’s cysts. While this usually indicates the presence of two separate problems, there is a bright side to this: if you can identify the underlying cause of the problem, you can usually treat the cyst.

The cyst itself isn’t usually known to cause any long-term damage; however, it can persist for a long time until the underlying cause is dealt with. In serious cases, the cyst can rupture and cause pain, leading to an infection. In this case, fluid can travel down to the lower parts of the leg. The cyst is the result of the synovial fluid leaking out through the knee joint. The synovial fluid is a fluid that lubricates the joints, and when the body produces too much of it, it needs somewhere to go. This can lead to the development of problems like Baker’s cysts.

There are lots of different types of injuries that can contribute to Baker’s cysts, especially when you consider how easy it is to actually injure the knee. Things like blood clots, arthritis, and blunt trauma can all aggravate the joints in the knees and contribute to the development of a Baker’s cyst. If you’re worried about whether you have a Baker’s cyst, you might want to check out this list of symptoms. The lump isn’t always visible, and it can be useful to have an understanding about some of the other symptoms to confirm whether or not you actually have a Baker’s cyst.

Symptom #1: Pain

Cysts are generally known for being painful. There are a number of different things that can contribute to pain from a cyst. Not everyone experiences pain when they are suffering from a Baker’s cyst, but those who do usually experience it as a result of the excessive amount of synovial fluid being pushed out of the joint.

Unfortunately, everyone has to move their knees when they are out and about and this can aggravate the condition, making the pain more uncomfortable.