How to ACTUALLY Treat a Baker's Cyst (Pain Behind Knee)

A Baker's cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a collection of fluid in the back of the knee. It can cause pain and discomfort when bending the knee. The cyst usually develops as a secondary symptom due to fluid accumulation from another issue inside the knee joint, such as arthritis or meniscus tears. Treatment options depend on the size and symptoms of the cyst. Small, asymptomatic cysts may not need treatment, but larger ones causing discomfort may be drained and injected with medication. Physical therapy can help manage symptoms and prevent recurrence. It's essential to address the underlying cause, such as osteoarthritis or meniscus tears, to prevent the cyst from returning. Complications, like cyst rupture, may require prompt evaluation and aspiration.
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► ABOUT ME
Jeffrey Peng MD is a nonoperative orthopedist and sports medicine specialist. He created a KZbin channel and blog to translate cutting edge medical knowledge and clinical research to benefit all those looking to live an active and healthy lifestyle. He focuses on maximizing non-surgical treatments for sports injuries and orthopedic conditions. He specializes in using orthobiologics and ultrasound guided minimally invasive techniques to treat osteoarthritis, tendinopathies, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Dr. Peng is board certified in sports medicine and family medicine. He completed residency with the Stanford family medicine residency program and completed his sports medicine training with the Stanford primary care sports medicine fellowship in San Jose. He is an active faculty member for both programs and is excited about training the next generation of physicians.
Dr. Peng’s sports medicine clinic is located in Campbell, California.
Twitter: @JeffreyPengMD; / jeffreypengmd
Website: www.jeffreypengmd.com/
► Disclaimer
My content reflects my own opinion and does not represent the views or opinions of my employers or hospital systems I am affiliated with. They are meant for educational purposes only. They do not substitute for the medical advice of a physician. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding your health.

[@Mysterios0]

This is the best video I’ve seen on this. I’m not convinced I’m dealing with a BC, because I have no swelling, and it’s really not painful to exercise. I can squat deeply (thighs pressed against calves), do yoga, run, etc. The discomfort is prominent at rest. If I’m sitting on the floor with deep compression in the knees for a while, when I stand up, straightening the leg gives a feeling of tightness and a pressure like sensation. It’s not actually painful. I take naproxen sparingly because I prefer not to take nsaids. I appreciate that you mentioned other possible causes, because I don’t have any visible swelling or redness. I don’t feel a cyst there when I massage the area. If I end up seeing my doctor for this at least I’ll know what to ask about because of this video. I really don’t want to stop exercising, as it’s very important for my mental well-being. Thanks for the valuable information!

[@jennyarmstrong9424]

Thank you. A great, short, informative video. I have a medial meniscus tear but only a small one and it rarely bothers me, but when I try to run (and I’m only talking about running for one minute with 2.5 mins walking) I get pain and swelling at the back of the knee I thought it was a popliteus strain but now I think it could be a bakers cyst. I am waiting for an ultrasound appointment to confirm. Armed with this video I will know what treatment to push for. At present in the uk, health services have declined dramatically and the most common advice is ‘wait and see’. I now know what treatment to request. Thank you for your guidance.

[@user-gb8sc2fy8t]

Thank you doctor for the advice I do believe I might have a Baker's issue I have chronic arthritis bone against bone my knees swells up I get a drink. It hurts all the way to the top of my foot I haven't had my doctor checked that but he does drain my knee. I probably need an MRI like you say, but you taught me a lot at 75 years old, God bless you, thank you so so much for teaching me, and looking at your videos, you taught me a lot, God bless again, thanks.

[@shusha50]

Hello from Hamilto, Canada. Your video is so beaautiiful, succinct, and easy to understand video. Thank you very much for such an informative video. You are so crystal clear in your presentation. Wish you were my doctor. As always thanks to your wondeful video. New fan and subscribed. I hope you have a video on execises a senior can do at home to get better. Thank you dea .

[@dipaksatapara4101]

Very Informative video...thank U

[@rodolforodriguez2592]

Thank you doc!!!

[@stangsswang8355]

great video,,,,,,thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@scotsmanofnewengland7713]

Injured my right knee 30 years ago and had a knee replacement last year and had a Baker Cyst before the operation. A year later the Baker Cyst is causing me some pain and difficulty in doing my everyday things. Appointment next week to have it drained or so they say. Tough getting old but like an old car parts need to be replaced now and then. Thanks for the video very informative and helpful.

[@latrissaakabutterfly4476]

Sorry you are experiencing this I am as well. Torn cartilage and ligament 31 years ago and my knee and that’s what caused my baker’s cyst. If you had knee replacement and you now have a baker’s cyst, you are doing movements your knee joint don’t like. Any bending of the knees, straightening, squats, lunges , you are affecting the cyst. If you are doing hamstring stretches, quad stretches, you are going to aggravate the cyst. Force stretching aggravates the cyst. You may have to modify some of your stretching exercises in a chair.

[@WorkoutProGuides]

One day, everyone will understand how much I have struggled, so I will not stop doing my work. Everyone, believe in your work. May God protect everyone!🙏

[@GB-ft8fr]

As you stated, I have a posterior meniscus tear and the MRI also saw a Baker's cyst. I am going to schedule the knee surgery next month.

[@devj.3887]

Thank you!

[@Bridget2460]

Thank you! Your video was very helpful. Unfortunately, I’ve had a Baker’s Cyst for 2 going on 3 years. Today it caused excruciating pain. I’m hoping it hasn’t made a permanent home on the back of my knee and it’s not to late too apply ice and compression to relocate the Bakers Cysts. 20 + years ago I had a slip and fall with severe knee injury. I was planning to have it surgically removed however my physical therapist didn’t recommend since she had patients with nerve damage due to the surgery. It seems like the cold compression will be my best option.

[@intuitivediane]

Look at KZbin for calve and knee stretching. Try and build the muscle around the knee to make it strong

[@rosecrisman106]

CAN YOU PLEASE DO A VIDEO ON AN EXTENSOR CARPI ULNARIS SUBLUXATION? I can barely find enough information on KZbin

[@mamat792]

Very helpful, thank you! Can you tell me if it is common in both knees and if the pain/flexibility seems to loosen up with walking outside the home, does this sound like Baker's cysts or tendonitis (both?) I appreciate any feedback.

[@estelleadamski308]

I injured my knee 13 wks ago. An x-ray showed no fracture or significant arthritis, Due to pain 2 days later I had a ultrasound which was neg. for DVT but pos for a Baker's cyst. A wk later had an MRI which shows complex radial medial meniscus tear, Baker's cyst, bone bruise, tissue edema & loose bodies. I have a brace, ted hose, started PT, had a cortisone shot. A menisectomy will be the last resort,but, b/c of the loose bodies it's still on the table. Now my Ortho is thinking of a TKR. I want to forget the whole thing and I want to be done w/the whole mess! So painful still. A meniscus tear is just a terrible injury, no easy solution. Hope I don't need a TKR.

[@ClaudiaRose-hq2zp]

THANK U 😊 VERY MUCH. YOUR INFORMATION IS VERY HELPFUL AND APPRECIATED. GOD BLESS U. RESPECTFULLY CR ❤😅

[@johannabeckley7284]

Is there a brace or support I can use on my knees with activities to help with swelling and discomfort.

[@diogopires3226]

Thoughts on baker cyst due to varicose veins?

[@mrrick5278]

So I got both knee trauma 2 years ago since then they constantly hurt I did 2 MRI and it don’t show anything is still going on wrong inside my knees I did plenty of medication and phonophoresis and it doesn’t help, so my doctor suggested to take PRP shots and as I have searched it is mainly used to treat osteoarthritis, so I am curious is it worth to pay such a amount of money, besides the fact I don’t have osteoarthritis? can PRP used to treat just knee pain which is unknown where it comes from? Thank you for your answer in advance 🥰😍

[@TruthIsLikePoetry]

Been dealing with a Baker cyst for almost 5 years. Swelling vacillates depending on several factors but recently it’s swollen up to a new size. No idea why. I’ve never been as healthy or fit as I am right now. Gonna drain it tomorrow. What medicine to you inject to help it seal up?

[@clairebarneycastle4608]

I had ACL and meniscus surgery 2007. Now 17 years later I'm about the same weight, 60 years old now and run 5Ks every few months (averaging 39 minutes) and I run consistently once a week 2 miles. NO pain. BUT - when I take a brisk walk now (16-17 minutes per mile) I am in bad pain that I push through - but I can hardly bend my knee for a few days. My whole knee looks swollen. After sitting a while I have to get my knee "going again". Do I have a bakers cyst? I probably have OA - but why can I run with no pain but can't walk? I walked 4 miles the other day - but I'm feeling the effects for days, unlike the 5K I ran Christmas Eve! I need to go my doctor - your video was helpful understanding what I might have.

[@markcleaver6573]

Interesting. Unfortunately these videos are not question and answers videos. The Dr would not be able to handle the volume.

[@churn_diesel]

I just had a total knee replacement and my giant cyst is still there. Was hoping the surgeon would remove it but just not have been able to get to it. Guess I’ll reach out to another doctor once my new knee is healed. Been living with this thing in and off for 20 years.

[@aileeng3403]

I'm suffering with a Bakers Cyst. Its a good sized one. Its extremely painful abd crippling. I csn barely walk and barely bend my leg. Yes, i have OA severely. Awaiting on replacement replacement. My surgeon said its pointless to drsin it because it will just fill up again? Is this so? He said he sill take care of it when i have my knee replacement.

[@WhytyProd]

If I have a bakers cyst will it be apparent all the time? I've been diagnosed with a bakers cyst, but I get recurring swelling every two weeks which lasts 3 to 4 days. Then my knee returns to its normal state and I have minimal pain and zero swelling.

[@trinhtonnu6760]

Hello Dr. I knew that my r knee has Meniscus tear and Bakers cyst. I'm getting better w the pain. However , when I kneel down, my injured knee is very painfull. Is this pain from Meniscus Tear or the Bakers cyst?

[@samitashresthayoutube1924]

Thank you Dr. I have a small baker’s cyst in my right knee which is caused by the osteoarthritis. After aspiration does HA injections also help prevent coming it back and reduces the swelling? I have dr’s appointment next week.

[@JeffreyPengMD]

Yup!

[@gameshack1985]

I had a Bakers Cyst form after rupturing my ACL, tearing my LCL and MCL and fracturing my Tibia and Femur. They never removed it during my ACL surgery...so still have the pain beinding my knee 2 years after the initial injuries...now waiting to see if the hospital will remove the cyst so I can bend me knee properly again..

[@jmahoney9561]

I have fluid around the front of the knee and I went to have it drained and the doctor stated it was going to comeback and what I need is physical therapy! I’m going back to have it drained anyway!

[@JeffreyPengMD]

Yes unfortunately that does happen and you need both treatments to calm down the inflammation and get rid of the fluid

[@BrooklynKeya]

I had knee surgery in May Right knee arthroscopy, partial lateral meniscectomy, chondroplasty, excision of tibial spine osteophyte for which bone-on-bone arthritis was found in the patellofemoral joint and grade 3-4 arthritis was found in the lateral compartment with grade II chondromalacia of the medial compartment . Will following your food and exercise plan help me to prevent a knee replacement or is it too late? I have severe swelling which prohibits me from flex and ext in therapy. I went today for an aspiration and no fluid came out. i received a corticosteroid injection which after watching your video will be my last. My question is was it better to have fluid in my knee or swelling of tissue per my doctor said being that no fluid came out? What is a time line for swelling to leave after surgery? And i am definitely working hard on weight loss after seeing your video again i did not know bmi is 3 x's on my knee.

[@JeffreyPengMD]

All our treatments for arthritis are designed to decrease pain and symptoms and to try to slow down the progression of arthritis. Some people are successful, unfortunately, many are not. But even then, the treatments can buy some patients months, if not years. Ultrasound guided aspiration / injections are definitely the way to go if there is swelling in your knee!

[@jaysd1383]

I have this years ago i just popped it with pin and its gone

[@darrylvandermerwe5994]

Can pfps cause a Baker's Cyst?

[@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!

[@ashley5368]

Thank you. I’ve noticed when I wear the littlest bit of vision on my feet it helps

[@eileendwyer3412]

4:37 ​@@ashley5368

[@eileendwyer3412]

​@@ashley53684:37

[@Urban_Mushland]

I had 3 lateral meniscus excision in 1995-96..now I have a pesky bakers. Scared they want to open up the knee again

[@bevhart4604]

I knew I had a baker’s cyst. Some months before my knee replacement surgery, I bumped into a storage chest, had almost immediate pain. Couldn’t hardly walk. The pain lasted for about a day. I stayed off my feet just about the whole time. I heard they can leak or pop and be very painful. I think maybe that was the case with mine bakers cyst. I also was told most grow back. Thoughts?

[@JeffreyPengMD]

Many tend to reaccumulate which is why treating the underlying cause is so important!

[@cherylmassarelli4699]

My bakers cyst causes my right leg to swell immensely asking with my ankle that guess double every single day! At you saying this is something that can’t be corrected???

[@maclindsey5290]

What hospital are you at doc

[@WilhelminaJoya-ij5wn]

👍 👌

[@Lyn4817]

The pain is not always caused by a Baker's cycst, as my orthopaedic specialist found out.

[@arielle7557]

Ok so whats the treatment

[@KC73]

I get mine drained when it gets real big. 9cc drained off last time. Skiing makes it swell up, but usually it’s not a problem.

[@Scottlongley632]

Hey KC73, I had a recurring bakers cyst for over 5 years. I tired every medical practitioner, rehabilitation exerciser's etc , plus 3 operations to remove my cyst behind the knee, also draining. After each operation the bakers cyst returned within a week. I was 55 years old at the time of first op. I'm a very active sports person who plays and coaches sport, so running, jumping was/is a big part of my life. this is how I got rig of my bakers cyst and has still not returned since 8 years ago. Not to say it will work for you, but it did for me. I drank 4 litres of water within 10 minutes time frame and went for a easy run. from that day on, it has never returned. hope this helps. take care.

[@intuitivediane]

@@Scottlongley632thanks. I was thinking of stretching and building muscles around the knee would help.

[@canoegirl6335]

I have a small one on my right side, still painless. It definitely came after Covid in January.

[@kentwilliams9687]

You know he's actually correct, things like tomatoes in flame. But for my hands voltaren And it's it's kind of a hardcore medicine but it works really well. But it also can mess with your heart so you have to be careful with it

[@lovly2cu725]

I was told mine disappeared

[@marianfrances4959]

👍🇨🇦😎

[@manfred8938]

I wish you would get to the part of how to treat this condition without telling it in a long story

[@markcleaver6573]

A long story is good. More information and knowledge.

[@diana46able]

There is no cure for this… I have been in severe pain with this cyst problem since January.. I have stopped drinking any thing with sugar only drinking Hot tea with lemon and ginger 🫚.. just plenty of water non thing with sugar..helps a lot 🦵 massage helps me and walking.