Bakers Cyst (Pain Behind the Knee)
What is a Bakers Cyst?
Named after the British surgeon, William Morrant Baker, a Bakers Cyst is a fluid-filled sack that develops at the back of the knee. The cyst usually presents as a fluid-like bulge that causes pain behind the knee - especially when trying to bend your knee to your glutes, or when getting up from sitting. It may also cause pain when weight-bearing and cause you to alter your usual walking pattern.
Why does a Bakers Cyst form?
Bakers Cysts commonly occur from injuries or conditions that cause inflammation such as Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Meniscal tear, Anterior Cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, or any repetitive work (e.g. standing or walking all day). These types of injuries can lead to inflammation and swelling within the knee, which travels behind the knee and builds up in the popliteal bursa (bursa behind the knee). Bursae (plural of bursa) are fluid-filled sacs that help lubricate and reduce friction within a joint. Excess fluid can accumulate within this space due to inflammation and over time, begin to bulge out the back, forming a Baker’s cyst.
What should you avoid doing if you have a Bakers Cyst?
If it is an acute injury or severely inflamed and hurts to weight-bear, you may want to use crutches for 1 x week
Avoid repetitive action: If the aggravating factor is being on your knees a lot, try using knee pads or a softer surface to lean on. If it's due to a repetitive motion such as rowing, you may want to consider a week’s rest.
If the cyst forms after an acute injury, seek manual treatment!
What are the treatment options for a Bakers Cyst?
Medication: The injury is due to an increase in inflammation in the area so anti-inflammatory drugs and creams can work well. If over-the-counter (OTC) medications prove ineffective, your General Practitioner may suggest a corticosteroid injection such as cortisol to reduce inflammation.
Rest: As mentioned previously, using crutches or avoiding the action that causes the pain will help reduce fluid accumulation.
Ice: Ice is known for its ability to decrease inflammation by constricting blood vessels. Wrap an ice pack in a cloth (do not put directly on the skin), and apply for 10 mins 3 x daily.
Fluid Aspiration: Your General Practitioner may recommend a fluid aspiration where the excess fluid is drained out of the joint through an ultrasound-guided injection. This approach has been shown to work well for acute injuries. However, if the Bakers Cyst is a result of a repetitive injury it may return soon after if you don’t treat the cause.
Hydrotherapy: This allows for exercise and fluid movement with low impact on the knee joint itself.
OSMO Patches: These patches work to heat the area (over a period of a few hours) and draw out the excess fluid.
Compression Bandage: It is important that the bandage is not so tight that it cuts off blood and nerve supply. We recommend placing a soft pad/handkerchief behind the knee cap to help with fluid drainage.
How can Osteopathy help with Bakers Cyst?
In the initial consultation, Osteopaths can help you identify the possible aggravating and contributing factors to the development of your Bakers Cyst.
Understanding the cause of the cyst through osteopathic assessment, and in some cases, radiographic imaging is important to prevent reoccurrence.
Osteopaths will use a range of soft-tissue, massage, manipulation, stretching and mobilisation techniques to decrease pain, swelling and improve fluid drainage.
Osteopaths may also identify weak muscles and provide exercises to assist in the load transfer placed on the knee.
Exercises may also be prescribed with the aim of increasing mobility around the hip, knee and ankle joint, which again assists in load transfer.
If you’re experiencing pain behind the knee and live in the communities of Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Kew, Balwyn, Canterbury, Camberwell, Camberwell East, Richmond, Malvern and Glen Iris, please book an appointment today and let our qualified Osteopaths help.
Doctors of Osteo provide quality Bakers Cyst treatments with our osteopaths near me in Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Kew, Balwyn, Canterbury, Camberwell, Camberwell East, Richmond, Malvern and Glen Iris.
