Surgery?
The same applies to surgery for a Baker cyst as to general therapy – it is only successful in the long term if the cause is also treated. For example, if there is untreated osteoarthritis in the knee, but the Baker cyst is removed surgically, it is very likely that it will not reoccur for a long time. 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.
Summary
The Baker’s cyst is a bagging of the joint capsule in the hollow of the knee. It is usually caused by a longstanding disease or injury in the joint, which is accompanied by inflammatory symptoms. Due to the increased production of fluid, it collects in the capsule, which finally sags in the direction with the least resistance – the hollow of the knee.
The therapy of the Baker’s cyst is only successful if the underlying disease is recognized and treated (often arthrosis or rheumatism), so it can usually and with good cooperation of the patient be performed conservatively. If the inflammation in the knee recedes due to the therapy, the Baker cyst will also regress.Surgery is performed when the Baker cyst becomes too large and exerts painful pressure on important structures such as nerves and vessels, which can have serious consequences. Even in the case of an operation, the cause must still be treated, otherwise the Baker cyst will always return after an operation.
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