Baker cyst treatment/physiotherapy

Since the Baker cyst is usually the result of another disease or injury in the knee joint area, it is first important to treat the underlying disease. The Baker’s cyst in itself recedes of its own accord due to the reduction in inflammation and the sparing of the knee. Otherwise, the cyst can be punctured and thus pressure can be released.

It is also possible to take anti-inflammatory medication. However, this is only an addition to the actual treatment of the basic problem. If this is not treated successfully, there is a risk that the Baker cyst will recur or even burst again and again – which should be avoided if possible.

The therapy therefore depends on the existing cause. In most cases, this is arthrosis. Arthrosis is a pathological wear and tear of the articular cartilage, which causes frictionless mobility in the joint.

If the cartilage has been damaged over the years through injury or overloading, every movement under load causes painful rubbing, which eventually leads to inflammation. Strong pain develops and the mobility decreases. It is important that the knee is nevertheless moved further and further to avoid stiffening. However, stress should be avoided to prevent further wear and tear.

Baker cyst: burst

A Baker cyst can normally regress on its own. However, if it is ignored or actually not noticed and simply continues to train, a rupture may occur. A sudden shooting pain occurs. The problem is that due to the metabolic processes in the inflamed knee, there is an increased amount of waste products and inflammation mediators in the fluid. There is a risk that the fluid that leaked out through the rupture (tear) will now cause inflammation and an increase in pressure in the surrounding tissue.

Exercises

1.) A simple exercise to move the knee joint without load is the leg pendulum. Sit on a table, for example, so that the lower legs hang down freely.

Now swing your lower legs loosely back and forth. This can be done several times a day. 2.)

Furthermore, any exercises in a water/exercise bath are suitable, as the water reduces the body weight and thus the load on the knee. Here, mobility can be trained playfully or with partner exercises. 3.)

Cycling on an exercise bike without resistance is also a joint-gentle measure. The so-called PNF concept (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) is suitable for moving and training the entire muscle chain of the leg three-dimensionally in a physiological sense.Here the therapist first performs passive movement patterns in the supine position, which are later actively trained. Static muscle strengthening exercises for the entire muscle chain can also simply be performed daily without putting any strain on the joint.