Homeopathy

The use of homeopathy alone cannot bring about a successful treatment of a Baker’s cyst. As a rule, such a cyst must be treated with medication and/or surgery. However, in addition to conventional medical treatment, the use of homeopathy can help to support the healing process and alleviate the symptoms experienced by the affected patient.

Arnica C30 is one of the most important homeopathic medicines. Arnica is made from arnica flowers, which contain essential oils, flavenoids and sesquiterpene lactones. The effect of medicines containing arnica is mainly based on the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of this substance.

In addition, arnica flowers have been shown to contain other active ingredients that have a stimulating effect on the immune system. In general, arnica is one of the most widely used active substances in homeopathy. Although globulis containing arnica are considered to be particularly gentle in the treatment of Baker’s cyst, various side effects can occur during their use. When applied externally, for example, allergic reactions can be caused. In many patients these allergic reactions manifest themselves in the form of skin rashes, itching and the formation of small blisters.

Physiotherapy

In the treatment of a Baker’s cyst, regular physiotherapy can help to delay surgical intervention. In most cases, however, a therapy of the Baker’s cyst by physiotherapy alone is not sufficient. Before physiotherapy is prescribed, the underlying cause of the development of the Baker’s cyst should be clarified.

This is especially important because the strain on the affected knee joint can be counterproductive in some basic diseases. In many of the patients affected by a Baker’s cyst, the application of a kinesio-tape lymphatic system proved to be particularly helpful. In addition, moderate leg axis training performed during physiotherapy can help to alleviate the symptoms caused by the Baker’s cyst.

For overweight patients suffering from a Baker’s cyst, special water training can also be prescribed. This form of treatment is considered to be particularly gentle on the joints and can alleviate the irritation in the affected knee. In general, physiotherapy for the treatment of a Baker’s cyst should ensure that the knee is stabilised by targeted muscle build-up and thus relieved in the long term.

If a Baker’s cyst is present, all possibilities of conservative therapy are usually exhausted before surgical treatment (surgery) is scheduled. Patients in whom no significant improvement in symptoms can be achieved even after six months should consider surgery. As a rule, after such a long therapy period without surgery, no treatment success can be guaranteed.

Surgical treatment (OP) also focuses on the rehabilitation of the underlying disease responsible for the development of Baker’s cyst. In this context, damage to the menisci and knee joint arthrosis play a decisive role. The operation of the disease responsible for the Baker’s cyst can be performed with the help of an open or closed procedure.

In cases in which the knee joint disease can be treated by arthroscopy, a decrease in Baker’s cyst can usually be observed. For this reason, a direct removal of the Baker’s cyst is only necessary in very rare cases. However, patients suffering from one of the various rheumatic diseases are an exception in this context.

Since in these cases there is usually inflammatory tissue in the Baker’s cyst, it must be completely removed. The operation of the Baker’s cyst is usually performed under general anaesthesia. The attending physician must ensure that the cyst is always removed in its entirety during the operation.

This means that the style that connects the Baker’s cyst to the joint capsule must also be interrupted. Otherwise, the affected patients may develop another Baker’s cyst despite treatment. After the surgical removal (OP) of the cyst, a sample of the capsule tissue should be examined finely. In this way a malignancy of the cyst tissue can be excluded.