Forecast
Conservative measures usually only lead to an improvement of the symptoms caused by the Baker cyst. A disappearance or “drying up” of the Baker cyst is not to be expected when using purely conservative measures. Only an operative therapy of the cause of the excessive water formation in the knee joint (e.g. a meniscus damage) will lead to a disappearance of the Baker cyst without operating on the Baker cyst itself. A direct Baker cyst operation leads to the complete removal of the cyst, but a high recurrence rate must be expected after surgery as long as the cause in the knee joint has not been eliminated.
Sports for a Baker cyst
The development of a Baker’s cyst is a relatively widespread disease in the population. After the diagnosis of a cyst, many affected persons ask themselves the question whether there is anything to be said against doing sports while having a Baker’s cyst. It is difficult to make a general recommendation.
A Baker’s cyst usually develops on the basis of an inflammatory process in the knee joint. Increased stress on the joint can stimulate these inflammatory processes and can therefore not be recommended. This is especially true for large cysts and when pain occurs.
In the case of an acutely occurring Baker’s cyst, it is therefore not advisable to participate in certain sports that are associated with a high load on the knee joint (e.g. jogging or certain ball sports). However, sports that only place a small load on the knee joint may be performed without any problems. Depending on the type of movement, sporting activity can even have a positive influence on the success of treatment for a Baker’s cyst.
Exercises which are recommended by a physiotherapist can promote a rapid healing of the cyst during conservative treatment of the Baker’s cyst as well as during operative aftercare. After the cyst has been treated surgically, the affected knee joint should not be subjected to heavy strain for some time. The treating surgeon can best inform about the duration of the sports break.
Baker cyst in a child
The Baker’s cyst can occur at any age, so a Baker’s cyst can also develop spontaneously in a child’s knee joint. The cause of a baker’s cyst in a child is still unknown, but it is assumed to be a congenital weakness of the joint capsule, which is why the capsule can protrude towards the hollow of the knee if the pressure in the knee joint is too high. Children are more likely to notice a feeling of tension in the joint than direct pain in the knee.
It is also recommended that children have an ultrasound or MRI examination of the knee joint. In this way differential diagnoses such as haematomas or even tumours of the bones or soft tissues can be ruled out. In childhood, there is often a spontaneous reduction in the size of the cyst up to the complete disappearance of the cyst.
For this reason it is recommended to wait and see whether the cyst disappears on its own. In case of extreme swelling with restrictions in the knee joint, a puncture of the cyst can be considered. Surgical removal, however, is rarely induced. It is important for all parents: Clarify the cause -> if no cause of the Baker’s cyst can be found in the child -> keep calm!
