If we speak of a Baker cyst, we are in the area of the posterior knee joint. It is a bulge in the hollow of the knee, usually the result of a knee joint injury or disease. Cyst is the Greek word for cavity or bladder in the tissue.
In the case of the Baker cyst, this cavity is filled with fluid. This is caused by increased metabolic processes in the knee joint, which are the result of healing processes of the actual disease (often arthrosis, rheumatism or other chronic inflammatory processes in the knee). The body simply cannot get rid of the fluid afterwards, so it accumulates and sinks to the back, where it finds no resistance in the form of bone or other harder tissue.
The result is an overpressure in the joint, with more or less pain and restrictions, depending on the size of the Baker cyst. The symptoms develop in the hollow of the knee depending on the structures on which the cyst is pressing – these can be nerves, muscles, blood vessels, etc. Thus, the symptoms range from restricted movement and function to numbness, sensitivity and circulatory disorders.
Physiotherapeutic measures of the Baker cyst
The same applies to surgery for a Baker cyst as to general therapy – it is only successful in the long term if the cause itself is treated. For example, if there is osteoarthritis in the knee that is not treated, a relapse is likely to occur even after surgery for a Baker cyst. Furthermore, surgery for a Baker cyst carries a relatively high risk of inflammation. However, it is useful if the Baker cyst becomes very large and presses on vessels, as it can cause an interruption of the blood and oxygen supply with serious consequences. During the operation, the hollow of the knee is opened from behind, the cyst is exposed, removed and finally sutured up again.
Baker cyst and sports
A Baker’s cyst can occur more frequently in athletes with chronic overloading and inflammatory processes in the knee joint or with previous injuries. It is important not to continue training into the pressure pain, this only results in more and more fluid being produced and the pressure increases until the thin tissue skin around the cyst finally gives way and bursts.
