Baker's Cyst: A Type of Knee Pain in Vacaville

Baker's cyst is a condition that can cause knee pain in Vacaville. It is a fluid-filled swelling that forms at the back of the knee when the fluid sac lubricating the knee bulges out of the joint. The cyst is usually small but there are extreme cases where it can grow into the size of a baseball.

In adults, Baker's cyst is typically caused by an underlying problem in the knee. People who are active would get this when there is a tear in the cartilage that is supposed to keep the bursa within the knee joint. For the elderly, knee joint deterioration caused by osteoarthritis could be the underlying problem. In either case, joint inflammation produces excess synovial fluid in the bursa, thus causing pressure to increase in the sac, distends it, and force it out of the joint.

Around 10% to 25% of people with any kind of knee problem will end up getting Baker's cyst. This is a secondary complaint that most people who have it.

Children can also have Baker's cyst particularly when a normal bursa forms an abnormal connection to the knee joint.

A small cyst is generally painless but once it grows larger, it can cause pain and stiffness behind the knee. Patients would complain about a tight feeling behind the knees when they flex beyond 90 degrees or a pulling sensation when they straighten their knee. If the cyst ruptures, it can become painful and it will create a bruised area on the back of the knee and the calf.

Diagnosing Baker's Cysts in Vacaville

Diagnosing this condition is not that difficult, especially if there is another knee problem found in the patient. The first thing that the physician will do is to spot any swelling at the back of the knee. If the cyst is not obvious, the affected knee will be compared to the unaffected knee to discern the swelling.

If there is bruising around the cyst, the examining physician will take pains to verify if it is a ruptured cyst and not a deep venous thrombosis, which can be dangerous and may need immediate medical intervention.

Sometimes a technique called transillumination will be used, in which the examination room will be darkened, and a bright halogen light is shone through the cyst to find out if it is a solid mass or fluid-filled.

If there are unusual signs on the suspected cyst, the physician may recommend an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to see if it is a tumor. An X-ray can identify undiagnosed arthritis, while an MRI can project a visualization of the cyst or undiagnosed meniscal injury.

Preventing Baker's Cyst

While there is no specific way to prevent Baker's cyst, people with knee problems can reduce the risk by not overstressing the knee joint or by treating the underlying problem. Following an anti-inflammatory or low-salt diet can also reduce inflammation that contributes to the condition.

If you are prone to a cyst, you must curtail certain exercises. The cyst can be found at the attachment of the hamstring muscles, and those muscles allow the knee to flex, so you must be cautious about overdoing exercises that use hamstring muscles.

So, if you have knee problems, make sure to have it checked by Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine. Our clinic specializes in this kind of problem or any pain general so set up an appointment today by dialing (707) 474-5688.