Baker's Cyst - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim

Dr. Ebraheim's animated educational video describes Baker's cyst of the back of the knee.
A baker’s cyst is sometimes called a “popliteal cyst”. A baker’s cyst is a benign swelling found behind the knee. The baker’s cyst lies posterior to the medial femoral condyle. Te cyst is connected to the knee joint through a valvular opening. Knee effusion or swelling from intra-articular pathology allows the fluid to go through the valve to the cysts in one direction (usually behind the knee). Sometimes the patient complains about swelling behind the knee and that alerts the clinician to the possibility of having a problem inside the knee itself.
The cyst is located between the semimembranosus and the medial gastrocnemius muscles. The cyst is usually located at or below the joint line.
Diagnosis
The patient usually has swelling behind the knee with pain, fullness and tenderness. The presence of knee effusion, which is excessive fluid inside the knee, will create fluid pressure that allows unidirectional passage of the fluid from the knee joint, through the valve and into the cyst.
A baker’s cyst is easier to see when the knee is fully extended.
Diagnosis is usually confirmed by MRI that will show the associated intra-articular pathology.
Ultrasound is helpful. Ultrasound is important, especially if the cyst is found to be outside of its typical normal position.
Causes
The two most common:
•Knee arthritis
•Meniscal tear, especially the medial meniscus.
Tears of the posterior horn of the meniscus that extend to the capsule, may cause a defect or one-way valve to develop between the knee joint and the bursa that lies between the gastrocnemius and semimembranosus muscles.
If the cyst is present in an atypical location, consider a tumor as a part of the differential diagnosis.
Baker’s cyst is a fluid-filled cyst and not a solid tumor. The cyst should transilluminate.
Treatment of painful large cysts:
•Ice
•Compression wrap
•Anti-inflammatory medication
•Strengthing exercise
•Aspiration of the cyst: blind aspiration or ultrasound guidance.
•Excision of the cyst: recurrence of baker’s cysts is common if the intra-articular pathology continues. The best treatment is arthroscopy and debridement of the intra-articular pathology. Recurrence of the cyst is common following its removal, therefore, the main treatment of baker’s cysts should be directed towards treating the intra-articular pathology (usually meniscal tear or arthritis).
The cyst may burst, causing calf pain and swelling. Rule out deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or thrombophlebitis.
Popliteal cysts in children
•Common soft tissue mass at the back of the knee.
•Occurs more in boys
•Transilluminates
•Not a tumor
•The cyst may not be intra-articular and may not have a connection to the knee joint.
•Usually not associated with a meniscal tear.
•Surgery is rarely indicated.
•The cysts is usually treated by observation. Spontaneous resolution of the cysts can occur in 10-20 months.
•In difficult cases, aspiration of the cyst may be indicated.
•The cyst may respond to aspiration and steroid injection. Because it is not connected to the knee joint.
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[@fieldsrealestate]

I just turned 51 and have had my first Baker's cyst 10 years ago. I first noticed them when I moved to a new home which had hard wood floors. Within a few weeks of moving in and walking on the hard wood I had my first bakers cyst. I didn't even know I had a lump on the back of my knee until my fiance noticed it. It was huge! At the time I wasn't sure what it was but looked online and self diagnosed the issue. It went on for several days / weeks and it would not go away. It was only in my left knee. I started to wear slippers with cushioning to see if it would help. And it did!!! I now wear slippers at all times when on hard wood floors. If I remove the slippers only for 10 minutes my knee pain will come back and I will have another cyst. The best thing you can do is wear shoes or slippers with as much cushioning as you can. If you don't notice any improvement try another pair. Do not use just rubber like crocks because it does not help. You need slippers that are like walking shows for support. I would imagine if you have hip pain this might help as well. Needless to say 10 years later so long as I keep wearing my slippers and use good shoes I have been able to keep them away. But I am not kidding, if I take them off, within 10 minutes of walking on hard wood floors I will have bad pain and a lump will start. Please pass this along to anyone who has baker's cysts!

[@hmh3576]

Thank you for providing the information my doctor couldn't be bothered to give.

[@zmichaelsdaman]

Right!! I’ve had the same problem with my doctor. Thank you 🙏

[@jimmyc.7415]

Yeah. We wouldn't wanna bother our busy doctor....😏

[@annemairepigot7607]

That was very well explained and illustrated.

[@patfoley723]

Great explaintion for a painful and frustrating problem

[@cherylhessler5238]

Thank you. This video was very helpful.

[@PA99LFC]

Amazing videos. Thank you!

[@marthaquispe5115]

Thank you. Very helpful information.

[@rababi100]

You are very good , every video I was immensely benefitted

[@leslieabbott6119]

Thank you very much. This was very clear and helpful.

[@traveler582k5]

Very informative, thank you!

[@Jane-st3ed]

Thankyou for the clear explanation.

[@blakedsouza563]

thanks a lot Dr.nabil ebraheim

[@derekpalo5287]

Thank u for the time u put into this, I just found out today I have a bakers cyst with a few other knee problems

[@alishad8758]

Very helpful! Thanks for posting

[@Nikkiet100]

Thank you so much for all this information!🙏🙏🙏

[@michellejacobson6915]

Thank you for the in-depth explanation!

[@rekhaagroya1982]

Very useful and informative video.. thank you so much...

[@mr.h6612]

Thank-you sir.

[@ziashields7699]

Very helpful...thank you very much...

[@raymondoconnor6201]

Very helpful Thank you

[@wyattforthewin8844]

As everyone has been saying Thank you so much this very appreciated. Both of my legs have Bakers cysts, I can't take any anti inflammitory meds due to warfarin. At least I have a better understanding.

[@sharvareedeodhar2646]

Thankyou very much very well explained.

[@virginiabertulano7245]

Thank you for this very informative well explain video

[@sarahmarie1391]

Dr. Nabil Ebraheim thank you so very much. This was very helpful and very informative. New subscriber here. :)

[@TheBreakUpShow]

Thank You For Sharing

[@prateekshabhardwaj6364]

Excellent.explanation.thanks.

[@ASHRAFSURGERY]

Very helpful

[@jo-jo83]

I have a ruptured bakers cyst been is so much pain but know one explained to me what it was so thank you so much for your video

[@ABab-jf2jb]

Thank you very much. That was helpful.

[@Yahoomediaclub]

Great Video and well explained, Thanks You, I’m 100% sure now it’s this that I have.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❤️

[@Srinivascnu_gamer]

Are you cured now?. Could you please let me know how it was cured?

[@AliHaider-kf7tw]

Thenk very much sir. That was really helpful.

[@lisawilliams7836]

Thank you very much 😊

[@mr.kjw738]

Thank You

[@dr.aamirshahzad1722]

Very Informative video

[@ABab-jf2jb]

Very helpful. Thsnk you.

[@yesyemyeh]

Jazakallah Khair. It's informative, I could understand the situation much better. I have Baker's cyst. Confirmed through ultrasound. I will be able to take care.

[@proudchristian77]

Thank you & it was helpful

[@wassimn75]

You are the best ....thank you...i want a review about plica synovial.

[@taxaccountingadelaide7993]

great info thank you

[@sybiljordan209]

Thsnk You.Very helpful

[@htayhtayyi7758]

Thank you Sir.

[@mariesan9334]

thank you

[@michelaser]

Dr. Ebraheim is a very good doctor. My friend saw 5 doctors, they didn’t know anything about any treatment. Some said to exercise, but it keeps on coming back

[@solowingace]

Thanks for your effort sir. Regards from Pakistan 🇵🇰

[@carolferrol8864]

This information was very good.what if u have Baker's cyst and osteophytes at the back of the same knee. what's the best remedy. And how long should ur healing time take. thank u

[@ClaudiaRose-hq2zp]

THANK U VERY MUCH 💓 ☺️ U MADE IT EASY TO DECIDE AS TO THE BEST PROCEDURE FOR MY BAKER CYST. GOD BLESS U RESPECTFULLY 💖 💓 💗 🙏 CR

[@johngabrieljoaquin6319]

thanks

[@raystarkey9680]

Thankyou most informative .I have been waiting for my nhs team to agree that I need an MRI as my leg is getting worse and has not reacted to medication or injections.

[@rumeysaeed1]

Thanks sir.

[@billymegab]

Very helpful. I have a knee replacement scheduled but the bakers cyst is causing me as much or more pain. Hope to get it dealt with as well.

[@chrisj3022]

Same here and my Surgeon says that after my knee is repaired I should be OK. Stay strong William !

[@Mr1cabbage1]

As always fantastic uploads with so much important information..thank you..and wondering if a cyst can cause swelling in the ankles.

[@wendie8290]

That's interesting. I have swelling in the ankles as well. Compression Sox are very helping.

[@burningbright5039]

That sounds more like blood clots

[@thesacredmom2784]

Thank you. I can't go without a walker as its drained painfully down to my already damaged Achilles tendon plus detached ankle straps, all on one ankle. Nothing has popped on the other knee but big enough that it hitches my get-along ever so often... this info really showed clearly what I had previously had to use my imagination.

[@tanyaseroka]

Thank you very much for thorough explanation, my doctor didn’t bother to provide. It is very helpful!

[@donnawiley4953]

Hello Dr. Nabil Ebraheim! I Thank You So Much for All of your informative videos. I would like to know if you have a video of Cyst of/on the Hip. And if a Knee Replacement is recommended, what treatments/prevention can be done to Stop or accumulate Blood Clots of he knee to prevent movement of them?

[@gardensofthegods]

I heard that more and more people are getting titanium poisoning because of these replacement surgeries and that at least in America the medical establishment doesn't want people to know about this .

[@wendie8290]

@@gardensofthegods this is a good heads up. Thanx do you have any references/ science to base this on. There are other alternatives to titanium aren't there.

[@amywalker7515]

Very good and easy to follow presentation. My knee only hurts when I am sitting and improves when my leg is straight. I walk about 3 miles a day and it just started hurting out of nowhere. I don't feel any bump and am wondering what else it could be,

[@krpurple2678]

Baker's cysts are so painful you wouldn't be able to walk much at all.

[@robertsimpson5136]

Same as mine. It only hurts when I am sitting at a desk. Of course now its advanced, has ruptured, and is causing pain in the calf.

[@fatemahalkhateeb8996]

الله يبارك فيك دكتور

[@chilukalasivanarasimharedd2519]

Loved it sir.

[@deansiephillips437]

😮brilliant explanation 👏 all surgery is about is butchery what about other treatments x

[@sahinurrohman5366]

Sir I have been sufuring from 10 years left knee Cyst plzz sir tell me how I relif

[@KityKati]

an Bakers cyst be removed that is attached to aorta behind my knee? Had it drained twice with a needle that hurts so bad. Or can it be burst open by a doctor? First surgeon i went to says its too risky to operate being attached to aorta. My primary Dr said see another surgeon for second opinion bcuz she says they can remove it.

[@singhal2338]

Sir thax for information But I need same help

[@michaelandrews5829]

Thank you so much! I have baker cysts on both legs and I've asked several times about them/how to get rid of them. I can barley walk for 10 minutes without needing a break. It feels as though I'm walking around with weights on my legs.

[@oakleyanderson4112]

instablaster...

[@sindhus1702]

How is it now?

[@Krystaldoll282]

That’s how I feel. I explained to my mother and others that it feels like I’m carrying weights on the backside of my knees. It’s uncomfortable for sure but I don’t necessarily describe it as painful. I don’t feel a cyst though. It feels thick or full.

[@carerschoice]

@@Krystaldoll282 I think it depends if the cyst develops with arthritis of the knee ( such as I have) which is very painful.

[@Shahveerprogamer]

What are home remedies for baker cyst... can icing be a cure?

[@rickwhite7270]

I have a knot on the side of my knee but it doesn't hurt it's not tender my knee is stiff but it's always been stiff for many many years I have a pen in that leg in the femur and that leg was broken in three places a long long time ago so I don't know what this is if it's not a Baker's just but a baker's cyst is usually on the back of the knee. If this is not a Baker cyst I don't know what it could be. I'm trying to figure out what this is.. tendonitis maybe?

[@mariefemejares6447]

my son have a Baker cyst behind the knee,.he's only 4 yrs old..is it ok to have an operation in that age?bcoz the doctor said it is better to take an operation if his big..

[@mohamedmuktar3669]

Can it be on the front ,coz I have smting like that on my knees ,plz tell me

[@sannabella8336]

Ja rowniez dziekuje.

[@diliptiwary5566]

sir if baker's cyst will not treated. sir please answer

[@singhal2338]

Cyst remove on 17th august and after post operate I have foot down problem can you help me how to cure my foot down problem

[@charrlintu]

Can you get one on the other side? Mines behind the knee but the opposite side

[@Repairing_Engineer]

عملت رنين علي الركبه وكانت النتيجه OPINION:  Proximal tibia metaphyseal small osteochondroma as described.  PHMM tear.  ACL sprain.  Mild knee joint effusion.  Tiny Backer’s cyst. ممكن نصيحه؟

[@Sanestpenji]

My cyst is on the right side of my right kneecap. In high school about 6 years ago it used to be a lot bigger because I used to skateboard and BMX all the time so I'm assuming that's what was irritating it. Now that I don't do that stuff, it's still there but it's not as big anymore. My cyst isn't on the back of my knee though, it's in front and I can kinda move it around slightly. When I was in high school sometimes it would get caught between my joint between my leg bones and if it got into that position while walking and I go to sit down it would squeeze it and hurt so bad I would collapse. It's been a while pain for a long time now, it's kept me from doing squats (can't do them because the cyst will freely move around) and riding a bike. As I said, I used to ride BMX and now and again it would shift while I would be pedaling and cause me to fall from the pain. I had a military doctor look at it, he tried draining it while I was in boot camp but couldn't because he said the consistency was way too damn thick to drain, so he suggested I needed surgery to get it removed, and once I do I'll need doctors okay to be able to re-enlist. Super crushing being sent home from Navy boot camp over a fucking cyst. So many things in my life changed from this fucking cyst. It sounds silly, but if I didn't have this thing, ide most likely be done with active duty and in college, I wouldn't have gotten addicted to pain pills and cause my wife to hate me so much she ended up cheating on me, ended up homeless, had to move into my mom's house after my grandparents died... What a domino effect huh? The sequence of events that followed after developing that cyst like actually guided my life direction in a completely different direction than where it's been headed up to that point.

[@kylepomeroyk-pom5499]

Mines on the front too and man does it hurt like crazy i preferred it on the back 😭

[@kylepomeroyk-pom5499]

It was on the back I went from sitting to standing heard a big ol pop and this must have been 3 months ago . Then my knee just felt weaker and weaker every day . I been working with it ever since . Real physical labor too . But yeah it’s made it’s way to the front of my knee and now it’s like damn dude .

[@duanefrench3500]

No comments on restrictions, eg i walk 20,000 steps at work am i supposed to stay off my feet?

[@queenkami7856]

I have a Baker's cyst and need a total knee replacement. My doctor says to continue to walk and ride the bike as much as I can. Ask your doctor if he can aspirate it. Good luck!

[@hummingbird7713]

Agree

[@damien_wolfe6576]

I am 15 and have a bakers cyst

[@dean3583]

I can sprint, play soccer normally but only feel the pain at the back of the knee after a period of sitting more than 15 minutes on any chair. It looks just a little buffier than the other knee.

[@examupdates7531]

I have same problem ..Do you find any solution for this?

[@Jurdmeister_1986]

U may not have a bakers cyst then... Have u had an MRI scan done, to be sure??? Because for me, I feel a shooting pain on both sides of my knee... Which in hindsight, restricts how fast I can run nd how hard I can kick a ball... Nd don't get me started on stopping nd making tight turns, both running with or with out the soocer ball (football)... I can still can play a full game, but not with the same freedom unfortunately...

[@dean3583]

@@Jurdmeister_1986 All the pain and stabbing at my joints feeling are gone. I run as comfortable as a good runner would. I think, my body started to heal by itself after three months rest during COvid lockdown in the first wave with no soccer game. After a year in 2021, I felt fresh and painfree. what I've learned is you don't need doctor or surgery, your body is a doctor and the cure is rest and don't push your body. Just let the speed and endurance build up on its own and keep playing soccer.

[@Jurdmeister_1986]

@@dean3583 Cheers for the advice big fella... Nd yeah, I agree with u!!! Unfortunately football (soccer) season has just started for me, nd now I've also got lower back issues to deal with as well... 😤

[@dean3583]

@@Jurdmeister_1986My problem was, I didn't play football for many years and I was invited to train with a community team on Thursday night beer games. I tried to get back to the game fast and pushed myself too much to catch up with them. Running, swimming, cycling, weight lifting...After three years, my body just cracked. Thanks to the easy pace of life during the pandemic, all the cracking bones are fixed.

[@Krystaldoll282]

I don’t feel an actual cyst but I feel like I’m carrying weights around my knees. The back of my knees. It’s very uncomfortable and I walk slow. I fell almost a year ago on both knees and had extreme swelling. I tore my meniscus and other injuries too.

[@kakarot4701]

Same here

[@leeelisaia4892]

are they life threatening ?

[@caremotor86]

I am do it my self looks simple

[@shaco328]

This cyst is killing me. There is no joy in life with this shit

[@brenten6226]

I got a mass behind my knee 3 weeks ago. The xray showed nothing. Ultrasound specifically stated no blood clot or Baker's cyst noted. I was sent to ortho doc who said it is a Baker's cyst but was confused that the U/s said it wasn't, and he gave me a shot of cortisone in it- which did nothing to help the pain it is causing. My biggest problem now is the area is continuing to get larger, and also now the top part of my leg- in the thigh area is getting a large area forming there too. Can a Baker's cyst cause swelling in the upper thigh area above the popliteal area? I have an MRI scheduled for Wed, but this rapid growth of now 2 areas, along with the horrible pain they are causing is really scary and kind of freaking me out by not knowing for sure what it is.

[@Lifewiththeemartinarenee]

Hello, what is your doctor? Do I am having the same issues I think I have a cyst on the back of my knee but it could’ve burst or spread it so the top part of my knee that area just seems extremely large.

[@sagarchavan4357]

​@@Lifewiththeemartinarenee hello any relief

[@gclayton4496]

I had bakers cyst in my right leg. I decided to change my diet with no dairy and taking 200 mg of coenzyme q10 everyday my bakers cyst completely shrink. No pain no swelling and walk normally.

[@karenteasdale7341]

Mine cleared after a few years then re appeared recently during covid infection. But only in one leg this time

[@LoutubeHi]

What if you have like 5 of these in your leg or hip area??

[@charmekiawhite3633]

That's what I wanna know got tiny ones inside mine bc of Arthritis

[@wendie8290]

Are you certain that they are bakers cysts. I would be going to different Dr's till I found the right one if it was me.

[@kimberlyfarrington3740]

I had a bakers cyst that ruptured last July. I am still having issues with it.

[@gardensofthegods]

Can you tell me what kind of issues you're having ? i think it might be the same thing that's going on with me ... two and a half years ago I had a big Baker's cyst behind my knee ... then it went away . about 1/2 year ago I started noticing a weird pain and the uppermost part of the calf right behind the bend of the knee in the back . . Now more recently I can feel one or two weird lumps in back of the knee that weren't there before ... I'm just worried if it can get into the bloodstream and become a blood clot .

[@AmitKumar-rz2en]

Sir ..what are the complications of baker cyst removal surgery.

[@kathleenleroy2248]

Amit Kwumar

[@allenh7775]

I have just found out I have a ruptured bakers cyst. Knee is so painful. Mri found this issue

[@jimmyc.7415]

This was very helpful. I was just diagnosed at Urgent Care 2 days ago. What I dont understand is....Does it disappear on its own after doing icepacks & anti-inflamed meds?

[@adrrykreatza]

No, this helps just with the pain

[@methoticaarts1787]

How the hell did I get on both and I don’t even walk or exercise like at all. I take very short walks but I’m pretty sedentary. I work a desk job .

[@Livelovelaughes]

GBU

[@danielideel9861]

I have this i have swelling in my calf

[@africacarey]

I just had my baker's cyst removed it was big im 3 days post opp

[@Srinivascnu_gamer]

How it was removed? Are you cured now?..can you please tell me because iam also suffering from it .

[@nagalakshmikolli37]

R u cured now..did you take any treatment

[@ajaygreene8186]

I have a bakers cyst in my knee and a DVT to boot

[@karenteasdale7341]

I was told it can be dangerous to aspirate a Bakers Cyst.

[@kimwyatt2645]

Very

[@thedudebneasy4928]

just had mri today and said i have a bakers cyst with edema

[@sandradavis9882]

I had one at age 8. It was surgically removed.

[@georgezama]

Hi Sandra, if you don't mind, can you please tell us what happened? Our six year old daughter started swimming lessons few months ago and one day she came crying that she has knee pain, when I checked her knee I noticed the bump and we brought her to the GP. now we are on the waiting list for the hospital. I wonder if the operation is the only solution, as some people say that it may burst again. I hope you mind if I ask you what was your diagnostic at the time? Kind regards, Veronica

[@jamesnewport1227]

Hello

[@tammiehenry8241]

This was on my xray. Why didn't my doctor not know what i had? I told him i had tenderness and problems bending my knee. It was stiff.

[@huhucat12]

u r the bedst

[@nicktumia5078]

I have this now & it hurts like HELL!!!

[@nature7413]

Nick Tumia, How long did it take for the pain to go away

[@nicktumia5078]

Nature ! It took about 10 days :/ .. check for blood clots also . Suggest a doppler. Cause i hadda clot also . It could be fatal.

[@PB15Films]

Do cycling if you want to cure it without operation