The Institute for Quality and Economic Efficiency in Health Care in Germany stated that Baker’s cyst is a fluid-filled sac in the knee joint, noting that it is named after the British physician William Baker, who was the first to describe the condition in the 19th century.
Knee Joint Damage
The institute explained that the cause of Baker’s cyst in most cases is damage to the knee joint, resulting from:
- Injuries such as a torn cruciate ligament and damage to the articular cartilage.
- Joint degeneration associated with aging.
- Inflammation of the joint capsule, such as part of rheumatoid arthritis.
- In rare cases, Baker’s cyst may be congenital without any knee damage.
Swelling and Pain
The symptoms of Baker’s cyst include redness, swelling, and pain in the knee when bending the joint, and a feeling of tightness or the presence of a foreign body in the knee crease. In some cases, there may also be circulation problems with a sensation of numbness when the cyst compresses the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.
In addition, those affected experience mobility restrictions while walking or standing.
The institute noted that Baker’s cyst is treated with ointments and bandages containing anti-inflammatory active substances such as diclofenac or cortisone preparations. In severe cases where the patient experiences mobility restrictions, surgery is performed to remove the cyst.
