Understanding and Treating Baker's Cyst

[@fadnama]

I have a degenerative tear in my MCL and osteoarthritis which lead to my Baker’s cyst. My orthopedic surgeon treats me with cortisone injections, but last time I asked him to also drain the cyst with a needle. It was life changing. It immediately improved my mobility so much I actually cried. Everybody is different, but this is the treatment that works for me.

[@thehighgoat]

Did it reoccur ever since?

[@hamzachakdouf5982]

You still have it ??

[@nmjime5560]

At 22 I fractured my knee. Got a cyst couple months later. Big, painful. Didn’t see a dr. Went down slowly after a year. But many many years later I do feel pain back there. But it’s likely arthritis. Pain is intermittent. I do squats and lunges and it hurts in my patella the first rep or two. Then it’s fine the rest of the workout. It’s livable. Ty kindly for this video. Really appreciate the information you guys share with people in the world.

[@carljohnson3989]

I had bilateral baker's cysts back in high school. They manifested during the baseball season, but in mid-summer, when the season ended, the cysts always diminished from a maximum of 2 cm to non-existence as Fall and Winter arrived. They were never painful but would always re-occur as soon as I began to run again during the following baseball season. There never was an injury. During college track and field, the cysts were not a problem, but could be detected. I am now 79 and the cysts have stabilized at 3cm max after 10-15 years of hiking. Never had surgery or aspiration by needle. They were never painful during these later years as well. Your video supports my decisions not to have the cysts removed surgically or have them reduced by removal of contents. I presumed my cysts were congenital. Thanks for the video.

[@megteal3658]

I very much appreciate just how you deliver all your medical information, Thanks Docs

[@debk6598]

You two are so great! Keep doing what you’re doing! I love the humor mixed in with the factual info!

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Thank you! Will do!

[@nmjime5560]

Second that. These gentlemen are really doing us a generous thing here! ☮️🌎☮️

[@kellylliam]

over thirty years ago I was holding my baby in his car seat, standing on a rock patio, when one of the rocks I was standing on let go, I went down on my knee hard, kept the baby in the car seat! Next day my friend noticed the lump at the back of my knee. It didn't really hurt, but was weird looking and feeling. Dr called it a Bakers cyst. My friend was studying Shiatsu, and worked on my knee a few times. It didn't take long, maybe a few weeks/months, and it finally went away. So weird. Knee was fine too, just sore and bruised for awhile. Thanks for your show! :)

[@vbryant2437]

I had a bakers cyst, in association with a torn meniscus. Doctor drained the cyst (several syringes full of fluid); had arthroscopic surgery to repair the tear, which did nothing. Two years later I had total knee replacement. No knee pain now.

[@joandehnert1115]

Same here but, dr said no surgery for the meniscus, said I would have a worse outcome. Drained cyst and cortisone shot. So far two years good

[@hamzachakdouf5982]

​@joandehnert1115 you still have it now ??

[@hamzachakdouf5982]

​@@joandehnert1115do you have it now ??

[@protected8627]

At 18 I was diagnosed with the Baker cyst, after a year it grew so much, they did a arthrogram, they still thought it was nothing, finally they decided to take it out, after a good year. It was actually liposarcoma, and it was big as a baseball and solid black by the time they got it out. They did a perfusion on my leg and, six weeks of radiation. I'm 65 today.

[@marciabeth1763]

I developed a Baker's cyst after a meniscus tear in my right knee. I was told to have the surgery (after an MRI) by 3 different ortho surgeons. All well and good, except at the time (20 years ago) i was my dad's sole caregiver, and I was also told the surgery required would demand that I not walk, climb stairs, etc for 3 days. I was the only member of my family who could take care of my beloved Dad, who couldn't walk or feed himself. The 4th surgeon could feel the cyst and also wanted to do the surgery....I begged and pleaded that if I couldn't take care of my dad (or me!) he took the risk to drain it. He said if I needed it drained again, he wouldn't do it, and if there was blood in the fluid, he would stop. It worked like a charm! I did need it drained one more time, but that was it. My knee injury remains, and I have to be cautious with stairs and such, but I've gotten by. Low impact everything...but I never liked running, though my job (I'm in a pharmacy) requires me to stand for long periods. Had I seen this video 20 years ago, yikes! i'm not squeamish, so naturally I wanted to look at the contents of the massive syringe. Painless and no blood!

[@braguy2000]

Had a bakers cyst rupture a few years ago. The fluid caused my ankle , calf and knee to swell and l had a lot of pain for at least 4 months . Compression bandages helped as did the pain meds but with the swelling, it hurt worse than my deteriorating knee did. Dr . Brad will recall deciding on injections for the knee once everything had calmed down and they’re still the current treatment.

[@marciabeth1763]

@@braguy2000 yikes! how awful! I'm so relieved my mess behind my knee didn't rupture. That sounds horrible!

[@Chance-ry1hq]

I’m 67, 6’4” 220. After a lifetime of playing sports I have cartilage tears in both knees, which I have made the decision, when the tears happened, 30 years apart, not to have them surgically repaired. Instead I rehabilitated the knees myself by icing, swimming, stretching, and in the weight room. I took up tennis in my early 40’s. Long story short, I have baker’s cysts behind both knees. I manage them by stretching, swimming, and lifting weights, I also ice my knees for 20 minutes after I play tennis. I have found at this age I can play one or two serious 4.0 tennis matches a week, and I can do drills, or hit with the ball machine, or play a social tennis match 2 or 3 times a week. The key to managing the size of the bakers cyst is as follows. Ice after every tennis event, stretch every day, swim laps, freestyle, and breast stroke 3-5 days a week, lift weights 3 days a week. My goal is to keep the knees flexible, strong, and aligned properly. If the bakers cysts get too large I cut back on the serious tennis matches for a week or two, but I rarely have to do this. I imagine if you don’t play sports, and don’t swim. Managing your weight, stretching every day, lifting weights 3 days a week, and icing would help you manage your bakers cysts properly.

[@heenatalreja9846]

Hello may I know did you finish bakers cyst problem completely ?

[@Chance-ry1hq]

@@heenatalreja9846 At my age you do not “finish” problems like bakers cysts, you manage them. If I play tennis too hard, or too often the cysts come back, and I have to take time off from playing tennis. I have found if I play one or two hard tennis matches a week, and hit with my wife and friends a couple times a week at a more controlled pace my knees are fine. I swim laps, or run on the elliptical, and lift light weights with high reps on the days I don’t play tennis. With my current routine my bakers cysts are under control, and do not bother me at all.

[@NancyWaltonHart-sg2dx]

I woke up with a Bakers Cyst. Couldn't bend leg at all. Hospital put an elastic bandage on. Fell trying to walk upstairs. Went to hospital again. They gave me a full leg brace. Now I have arthritis of the knee. I wondered if these things were related. Now I know. This was very helpful.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

So yes they are related. The arthritis caused the cyst.

[@laurieburns1964]

Jogging for years, tripping on sidewalk cracks and tree roots falling down, learning how to sprint..all took its toll. Baker’s cyst-yes, minor arthritis. I walk and cycle more now, and still sprint a bit with my grandkids. Thanks for a good video.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Very welcome

[@corkion]

love the good humor with the docs regards from ireland

[@purplgrits7916]

I had a lime sized popliteal cyst, no rupture thank goodness. I’m telling you it interfered with my range of motion and was very painful. Fast forward 9 years, I had my Right TKR last summer and thankfully the cyst has either receded or was all that pain really from my destroyed ligaments? I love my new knee so much. Thank you to my surgeon and P.A. in Charlotte NC at OrthoCarolina.

[@LauraBie470]

You just confirmed everything my doctors told me that’s a baker cyst you have in the back of your knee more than likely caused from your arthritis. He showed me how to walk better and massage the lump. . That was years ago and it still keeps coming back plus now I have partial bone on bone. I’m only 83 doctor says take your Aleve if it’s really hurting rest with your legs elevated and a bottle of beer won’t hurt you. I love my doctor.

[@alchemistsoffunk_band]

only 83 😂😂😂😂😂😂 #denial

[@gavinmurray2848]

Just got diagnosed with a Bakers Cyst after several weeks of knee pain , had X-ray and MRI now waiting to see my Orthopaedic Dr again , but I am finding rest ice pack and stretching 4 to 5 times a day for around 15 mins each time a help , had to change my exercise routine from cycling walking to weight training and swimming for now .

[@GardenandGrub]

New subscriber! Great Channel! I am a nurse and appreciate the education your providing to the public in an easy to understand format. Well done!

[@anital2861]

I have had a bakers cyst for many years. I get the orthovisc shots and find this helps it.Been doing this for 7 years. I have more osteoarthritis on my knee now. If I go on my knees the bakers cyst becomes very painful so I try to avoid that. In that case I put ice on and take advil and it usually gets better in a day or so. The knee shots are becoming more painful but only for a day or two. The end result has been good for me. Enjoyed your video and all of your videos thanks.

[@andrewlongo6]

As a caregiver, lifting and repositioning the person caused my Bakers cyst. A compression band and modifying how I lift helped relieve and heal it.

[@KjcIpswich]

Yes, glad you pointed that out. I had one yrs ago I remember the pain, and then the relief.When I started to view this video, I thought, " I did nothing to cause it" I was a CNA, and it was that simple.

[@karene1146]

Thank you. My ortho never rely explained this to me. He wasnt concerned about it. Now I know why. I have bone on bone arthritis. I'm currently losing weight in order to have a knee replacement.

[@kojakkojak1984]

Great presentation and humor LOVE IT.... Thank you

[@barbarakrall1184]

I looked up (Dr. Google) what I had before I went to the ortho guy. Yes, I have a Bakers cyst behind my right knee. This was about 2017. Fast forward to 2020, and I am going to a dermotologist who keeps asking me why don't they fix this and what is it anyway?? I don't go to that dermatologist anymore. So I was glad to hear that the ortho guy who originally treated me agrees with you guys. In fact, I had forgotten about it! Thank you for addressing this problem.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Welcome!!

[@nowucit6346]

Love the humor, and it makes it so much more interesting but to the point. 🤓

[@kimberleymcrae2250]

I’ve had my cyst() that resulted from my Type 3 tibial plateau fracture and meniscus tear repair with ORIF to place 1 plate and 7 screws. I utilized acupuncture, osteopathy and massage to relieve my Baker’s cysts along with proper diet, exercise and weight management.

[@christinehallet6472]

I’ve had bakers cyst in both knees. I say “had” because I may have popped/decompressed the one in my right knee. At work as an X-ray Tech, I was reaching over a patient bed and maybe hyperextended my knee, felt a sudden pop and immediately felt relief from the chronic annoyance that I had been experiencing. Have been symptom free in that knee since then

[@patwagner9308]

Many years ago, my right knee started feeling odd when I walked. I referred to it as my wonky knee. I had acupuncture done by 2 different doctors ( didn't help), orthopedic doc checked it out, had an MRI, etc. I tried a snug wrap around it which kind of helped. Then I heard about a supplement & a reviewer said it fixed their Baker's Cyst. Hey, what have I got to lose but a wonky knee? I started taking it & didn't think it helped until I ran out & realized my knee was worse. I got back on it & eventually, it made my knee feel normal. It's a circulation & vein support supplement. I am SO glad I tried it. It is the ONLY thing that brought complete relief...& I don’t even need to take it any more.

[@LaurelMcBrine]

What’s the supplement?

[@patwagner9308]

@@LaurelMcBrine I don't know if it's OK to give brand & all...but here goes: Andrew Lessman's Circulation & Vein Support.

[@LaurelMcBrine]

@@patwagner9308thanks, will look up ingredients

[@myghtymouse3043]

I just had a cortisone injection yesterday for a Baker’s cyst due to a torn meniscus. My doctor said as long as the injections are working, let’s stick with the injections until they don’t work anymore, then we’ll consider repairing the torn meniscus. At 64 yrs. of age, I’m perfectly fine with that plan. Thankfully the injections work well and last as long as 6 months or longer.

[@robinharris0562]

Your story is alot like mine. My doc said same thing

[@lindawysocki531]

Forgot to tell you drs I love watching your videos as they are quite informative and describe the procedures in layman’s terms. Thanks for making me laugh too. ❤❤

[@binathere2574]

The video and the comments are all very helpful thank you.

[@matthewgraham2546]

Doc's, I had a heart attack which required a stint in the RCA so they went through my right leg. When I left the hospital 2 days later my right knee was swelling and I assumed it was from the incision. I had an MRI, x ray and three different Orthopedic Doctors try to figure it out and I live in Florida where the National Training Center is and we have some very good Sports Orthopedic Doctors and no conclusion as to what was causing my swelling, my whole knee was huge, looked like a picnic ham. My GP drained it from the side which was very painful I'm glad I was wearing my brown pants that day. After about 18 months I thought I'm going to the gym and either fix it or blow it out. After 2 weeks I could start to see a reduction in the swelling approximately 5 weeks later my knee was normal and has been fine for 13 years, go figure. My GP said it was probably a Baker's Cyst. I have been in the gym ever since and I'm 72 years old, weight lifting is good medicine.

[@saudigold50]

LOL! Hope you’re doing well.

[@erinpackham8932]

I had a Baker’s Cyst as a third grader in the 80’s. No underlying knee problem that I can recall (though I did play soccer). I do remember having a giant, itchy mosquito bite in that spot prior to the cyst forming. 🤔 I had an MRI but actually the docs weren’t able to diagnose it from that for some reason. Finally got the diagnosis after excising the lump via a 4 hour surgery.

[@panorion]

I had a big Baker's cyst behind my left knee when I was 4 or 5 years old. I did not have any motion or pain problems, just the cyst which grew suddenly after me hiking up a mountainside, or so we believe . I had it surgically removed at the same age without any problems whatsoever. The stitch can still be seen very clearly and its about 8 cm but I suppose it grew with me from that age. So you can have it surgically removed. After 30 years at the age of 35 I noticed that some very small cyst seems to be building up again at she same location but more in the center. Again, no motion or pain problems, just the cyst. It is too small to have it removed but if you compare the behinds of my too knees, you do see the left one as rather sligthly swollen. I run and step up stairs without any problems. If i do ever feel a small pain is very very rare and very small and it located behind my knee. I have no ligament or miniscus or any other knee injury. So there you have it.

[@r.c.4016]

I used red light therapy 15 minutes daily. Disappeared in 4 days and never returned.😊

[@rosadasilva5039]

Can you please shared what red light device you used . Thank you

[@wendyrodriguez5375]

❤ omg your comment is making me so hopeful. Did you buy the red light therapy ❓ please share more info.

[@dbn52]

I worked as a nurse for to many year . I had Bakers Cyst in both my knees. Knee replacements in both knees fixed that.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Sweet

[@wendyrodriguez5375]

😢 omg I have a bakers cyst and am opposed to a knee replacement Have you heard about a kinomatic knee replacement ❓❓🙏🏽

[@dbn52]

@@wendyrodriguez5375 I couldn't hardly walk . I am more than happy with them and . No issues at all.

[@jontpt]

I have one of these cysts in my left knee, and I find that binding it tightly with an ace bandage, if I'm going to run or hike, works wonders. Don't rely on a simple compression sleeve; it's not tight enough.

[@HappyCat3096]

A friend had a very swollen, very sore calf. Docs were convinced it was a DVT and ordered a d-dimer. Negative. Still convinced it was a DVT they ordered an ultrasound and found a Baker's cyst. Basically the cyst ruptured and filled up the calf. Yes he has arthritis in that knee. Better to have a cyst than a DVT for sure.

[@zaplaabs]

I have had baker’s cysts in both knees for decades. I had a total knee replacement on my left knee February 14, 2023 and I still have the baker’s cyst in that knee

[@violetsareblue49]

I have OA in my knees and dealing with a bakers cyst in one knee now, and for the last 3 weeks. Painful at times. Annoying mostly. But I can bend and straighten my knee. I have a bucket handle meniscus, repaired by surgery and with that couldn’t bend or straighten the knee. Painful. Thanks for the talk on this and many other things.

[@deeshea3286]

Fantastic video! My DO said exactly what you both said. Come to find out, I have a slight lateral miniscus tear, which in turn caused the swelling behind my knee.. You guys are the best. Keep up the great work.

[@bettea360]

I had a Bakers cyst that was painful if I exercised. I did physical therapy and it helped.

[@sflasaint811]

I had Bakers cyst grow twice behind right knee a few years apart. 2nd time the whole knee swollen and hard to walk. I have arthritis in that knee. Doc gave me steroids and took care of swelling, plus physical therapy at home exercises which helped strengthen the knee again. I was glad nothing was torn but I guess I'll just have to manage it if it comes back again.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Glad it helped

[@joetrapani5741]

as a avid squash player, developed a painless bulge in the back of my right knee, only notices by an opponent but no discomfort or lack of movement for me. visited a specialist, who suggested to keep an eye on it but no medication or procedure if it didn't bother me. Years later it's barely noticeable and I still play squash regularly. If it's not painful, leave it alone.

[@suzierice9730]

I had one when i was in my early 30’s after bending down working in my garden. My big symptom was definitely pain. It got better with naprosen.

[@cpdriven1]

I am a 67 year old active woman. I used my body weight to move a rug and heard a loud pop followed by pain. Pain where i could not walk on it. There was no swelling. I put my leg u p for a while but the pain was still there. Fast forward. A couple of months later, while struggling with pain i decided it was time to go see the DR. I made an appointment with an orthopedic and i explained what happened. He did regular x-rays and told me nothing was torn but that I had bone on bone pain from arthritis. I insisted I had torn something as I not only heard it, I felt it. I had never had knee pain before that and now I could not kneel down nor I could I go all the way back in a kneeling position on my knee. I just kept telling the Dr. I couldn't believe nothing was torn. He said it again that nothing was torn and showed me the x-rays. I didn't know what I was looking at!! I was just shocked nothing was torn. I asked what could be done and he said an injection for pain or a knee replacement. I took the injection but afterwards still had pain. I had gone back to him as he said i could get these gel injections. 3 of them spaced apart. Well those did nothing. So here I am 7 months later still having bouts of pain. I asked my GP if I could have an MRI after explaining everything to her and she agreed. After receiving the results, turns out I do have a torn Meniscus along with fluid. Also a large bakers cyst. Now I am being referred to another Orthopedic Dr. I am very upset that this ortho Dr. did not diagnose me correctly. Should I be upset????

[@amya9597]

My son had a Baker’s cyst on the back of his knee when he was 10 years old. It didn’t bother him but we saw the bulge on the back of his knee. The Pediatrician turned the lights out in the room, shined a flashlight on it and called it a Baker’s cyst and that it would go away on its own and it did.

[@tracydownie4151]

Love this…I have psoriatic arthritis, bakers cyst & torn meniscus in my knee. Unfortunately wait list to see orthopaedic surgeon was 4 year wait. I had just put up with the pain from the meniscus tear, and my gosh it was painful

[@lindaweldon7928]

I’m 75 years old and while walking my little dog I heard a huge pop and then I couldn’t straighten my leg out. I had a very hard time walking on my tip toe trying to make it home. I went to doctor and he told me it was a bakers cyst. I had to use a walker for a Month until I could straighten out and use my leg. I’m fine now, no more trouble with it.

[@DeborahFreeze]

Many, many years ago, I had a Bakers Cyst behind my left knee. I was on my feet seeing patients in clinic all day and the thing started aching then throbbing. Seeing an Orthopedist was a mistake. Nothing was said about arthritis or any other pathology related to the knee. In the office the attempt was made to inject the Cyst with Prednisone and Lidocaine. I don't know why it hurt, but the procedure was excruciating. After screaming for a few minutes I told them to stop. The Cyst absorbed (?)over the next few days and never came back. That knee continued to be problematic with osteoarthritis and was replaced October 2024 - one of the most painful surgeries I've ever had.

[@ToddJesse-s8q]

Awesome vid. That happened to me. I had severe pain in my calf. I couldn’t straighten my leg and had to walk on top toes for weeks before they found it. They thought it was a blood clot. The ER did a Venous Doppler and didn’t see anything. She never went in the back of my knee. After 2 weeks of major pain I had another Doppler from a different hospital and she went behind the knee and found it. I forgot to mention that it was leaking into my calf. I thought I was going crazy. 🤪 my dr. Drained the front of my knee and eventually it went away. Whew! 😅

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Very nice

[@Marie-hf4qf]

It works depending on how long you've had the cyst; determine how long you apply castor oil at night after your shower. Cover with cotton. I had a cyst inside the top part of my arm, and I had it for at least ten years. It would seem to bruise, moreover, every night. I rubbed castor oil covered with cotton for a few months. I was shocked at how it began to dissolve and went from the size of a large grape to the size of a small pea. It will completely dissolve.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Never heard of that. Couldn’t hurt to try

[@Marie-hf4qf]

@@TalkingWithDocs I was skeptical too.

[@Marie-hf4qf]

@@TalkingWithDocs I heard that it helps the fatty liver and the Red dots that appear on the belly; I believe they are called liver spots; after showering, rub Castro oil on your stomach, wear a cotton T-shirt to bed, and the Red dots disappear. Rub on spider veins will go away. I use organic Castro oil in a dark glass.

[@jarsenault6418]

Yaaaah didn't think of that. Doing it thanks.

[@mustangmae8]

Great information…thanks! Out of all the pictures that you could’ve used for people walking you chose one with a mother and daughter wearing a mask??

[@TalkingWithDocs]

B roll footage from our editors sorry

[@zpiggekowalski4791]

Hi In the age of 65, I'm 74 now, I went out for the run with minor pain behind my left knee. Before that, I took some anti-inflammatory to ease the pain. So far so good, running turn on smooth and nice. (10km) Next day when I woke up of a pain in left leg and I looked in the mirror, the whole leg looked like an elephant's leg. I was shocked! After the telephone call to my regular doctor, quick visit to emergency. There was the "good" news, no blood clots, it's "just" Baker's cyst bursting and spreading in the whole leg because of lying down. That was also the end of my career of regular running on the streets. Further investigation with MRT showed that the knee was quite damaged, I had some surgeries 6,7 years before the incident for meniscus damage. Nowadays, it's maximum 10 minutes on the band and there is of course cycling and walking. Quality shoes are essential.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Thanks for sharing

[@rodericksmith1148]

I had a large Bakers cyst removed when I was 15 ,I am 69 now. I believe that I caused it by an overshoot jump off of a springboard Landing on my knee on concrete. I have had no trouble since. The surgery left a huge scar.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Oh wow

[@patriciau6277]

Back in my late twenties I had a lump appear an inch and a half below the kneecap. About the size of a nickel and stood proud about an inch. I gardened, mopped my floors generally very much on my knees. I showed my doctor and he brushed it off as nothing to worry about. Without doing any kind of testing at all. And it was slowly getting larger. It got to the point it became very painful. I don’t like pain! I have a high tolerance for pain so when it finally becomes unbearable. I fix it. I made a cut in the top of it deep enough to release its contents. It had a dry paste consistency, dull white, and absolutely no blood at all. I squeezed until it was flat cleaned it well and bandaged it. And of course a week later I Developed an infection. For which I went to the doctor he ran a test for the kind of infection gave me an antibiotic once those where done I was fine. The growth or cyst what ever it was never came back. I’m 66 now in very good health. I DONT RECOMMEND ANYONE DO THIS SEE A DOCTOR! If you have the same kind of experience seek a second opinion of third if needed.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Thanks for sharing your very interesting story

[@annwallace8972]

I've had a Baker's cyst for years! I have an arthritic knee; likely to be replaced when the surgeon can do the surgery (6-9 months). I'm not complaining, I dont mind waiting. At times, the cyst limits my knee mobility, and it aches or stings/burns. On those days, I wear my knee brace, and I can still walk and get my daily steps in. No big deal, and I'm 68 and still walking daily and hope to for years to come.

[@saimaleon7115]

Canadian health care?

[@brendamann6106]

I had slipped on a hill while mowing, in April and I kept on mowing. That evening my left lower leg lateral side was in horrible pain. I stabilized it and used ice and elevation. The pain diminished but if I walked on it came back. I had X-ray done nothing found. 4 weeks May- later the knee pain started. I couldn’t move without acute severe pain. ED found the baker’s cyst. They wanted to send me home with pain pills. I insisted on something to immobilize the leg and knee. I didn’t take pain prescription with me. I used the immobilizing splint for 4 more weeks treating the knee and leg like a stress fracture since partial support didn’t wasn’t working. It finally healed and I gradually got all movement and strength back-July-August. I couldn’t get an appointment to see an orthopedist for a month anyway so I did this. I think an MRI might have shown what was wrong but no one would do anything more than an X-ray.

[@eloiselle7933]

My Baker's cyst ruptured and though it felt better in the knee, the swelling in my lower leg was horrible and lasted for months. All I could do after work was lay on the couch and elevate. Even 6 months later, my left foot was at least 1 size larger than my right. Two knee replacements later and I'm fine.

[@marianneleach3604]

You two are awesome!

[@send2julied]

I didn’t know. I had a Bakers Cyst until I was in the ER thinking I had a blood clot so painful. Knee replacement advised to prevent reoccurrence.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Yes this is so common

[@wendyrodriguez5375]

Wow😢 my opinion is I’d rather suffer through bakers cyst flare ups than TKR rest of your life constant aching 😢

[@ramonavoight5656]

I was a church custodian, and the pastor asked me to help him move the extremely heavy communion table back up to the front platform where it belonged. Sure. We got a good grip, lifted with our legs, and got it back in place. Then next day I noticed this weird, hard knot behind my knee. Surprise! My first Baker's cyst.

[@lauriepolden6594]

I just tore my meniscus about four months ago and I’m still having issues with my knee and now the back of my knee is really really tender and sore. It gives me real big problems in the morning. It feels like it’s a torn muscle but it’s a pulled muscle at the same time. I can’t bend my knee. It feels like it’s swollen. It’s in the back and it’s right out toward the outside of my left knee…. so now I’m thinking that’s probably a baker cyst has formed. Thank you for telling me what it might be and thank you for helping me not panic because I thought it might be a blood clot. I don’t think it is but I was worried because it hurt I’ll just stay off ice and heat… i’m not going to go back to the doctor. They wanted to do an MRI in the first place and I’m not doing that. I knew it wasn’t broken. Just tell me and that’s all I really care about anything else they’re not gonna help charge $500 billion for a few tests.. I already owe my insurance company and I owe for what they didn’t cover and I owe for everything else. I’m not doing any more test. Why bother they charge me $95 for a knee brace the same knee brace I saw a Goodwill for four dollars at Goodwill old people donate them all the time when they die, you can get any brace in the world if you need it at Goodwill for super super cheap that are charging some poor person $95 then charging their insurance company

[@wendyrodriguez5375]

I❤. I actually went to ER twice thinking I had a DVT. It hurt and felt like that. Ultrasound later it was Not a DVT. Bakers cysts are scary and painful. 👍🏽 time elevations and ice. Till they subside and they will go and come and flare ups. 😢

[@naomifannin435]

I was diagnosed with a Baker's cyst in back of my right leg which was causing pain down my leg. It was difficult to walk and very sore. My doctor gave me a cortisone shot in the front right knee. In about four days everything cleared up.

[@eveperry4321]

I had a large Baker’s Cyst that went unnoticed until it ruptured. I had 30 minutes of excruciating pain. The back of my leg looked, and felt, as if it had been beaten with a baseball bat! A stat ultrasound ruled out DVT. The radiologist asked that I return for more images, as he had not seen anything like it. I don’t ever want to go through something like that again.

[@rudinatelaj71]

Should the blood thinners be considered as a temporary solution and part of supportive therapy after the cyst ruptures ? I had never heard about baker's cyst but now I know, because of you guys and thank you 😊

[@jarsenault6418]

My first one ruptured. My calf was 3 x the size hurt so bad could hardly walk. Forget how long it took to get better. Have another now in same knee 3 yrs later. Scared to use compression as think what made last one ruptured. Elevation helps. Still walk a lot. Find sitting any length of time not good nor standing in one spot like this in a lineup. Yes have arthritis in my knees but we'll managed. Still have full range of motion. Am active, not over weight and 78.

[@karenthornton281]

Several years ago I was at the laundromat and when I carried a basket of clean laundry back to my car, I was lifting it in, felt a pop in my knee and instant pain and could not put any weight on the leg. I was alone, managed to drive the 2 minutes hom e and had to use my cell to call the house for someone to help me in. I went emergency next day. Doctor had no clue what was wrong, sent me home with pain me d's and crutches then referred me to an mri which took over a week and was walking by then. They found a worn miniscus and ruptured bakers cyst. Hurt like a ..... For over a week

[@andrewthacker114]

Interesting clip, never heard of Bakers Cyst. Thats a good thing

[@jerrywhitfill2236]

3 surgeries for this cyst in 60’s&70’s by best ortho drs at Wilford Hall as a USAF dependent (kid). Parents noticed swelling behind knee; never affected me (nerd); they said scar tissue would cripple me more than any surgery could fix. Drain if necessary-now 71. Just live with it, swells and recedes. Occasionally uncomfortable but baby it for a day and it is ok again. My case history went into medical books since it was followed closely.

[@turnbacktime65]

All good to know. Thanks Docs! I have RA. Two cysts. If it ruptures now I know what to expect.

[@leatherindian]

I've had one since injuring my knee almost 20 years ago. The cyst doesn't bother me but the meniscus tear and arthritis do.

[@beckasmith6725]

I self-diagnosed a baker's cyst in the early 1990s, later confirmed by my OB-GYN (bc who knows lumps like an OB-GYN?) Never identified any particular reason, except I'd been exercising pretty heavily, and although it aches from time to time and i take some aspirin, I've never sought any other treatment. Good to know in the end that that's the recommended plan!

[@ClaudeaBrown-n8v]

Thank you for taking the time to tell us!

[@TalkingWithDocs]

No worries! Very welcome

[@michaelo1492]

I had this cyst which I didn't know about until it burst, then I experienced excruciating pain and went to the ER, after an ultrasound and a CT scan, the fluid from the cyst filled my calf muscles. A blood clot was ruled out. Over 3 weeks on crutches and several more weeks to get back to actually walking well enough to return to work.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Yes it is severely painful. Glad you are ok

[@inyourhomefitness2452]

I had one a couple of years ago for several years. It was painful at times. I am a personal trainer so I was constantly doing exercises. The issue was my feet. Since I am flat footed, had orthotics, didn’t work and were in runners all the time with support, you would think that would help. Nope, it wasn’t until I started wearing Birkenstocks and also got the Birkenstocks insoles that I could put in my runners, that the Baker cysts started to get better. Saw two specialist as I was also dealing with snapping hips syndrome at the same time. All caused by my feet. so since using the Birkenstock insoles and wearing Birkenstocks everywhere I no longer have the snapping hips syndrome or the bakers cyst. I am 63. Dam flat feet cause so many issues.

[@binathere2574]

I'm going to try again. I have 2 pairs in my cupboard. I have had very bad foot neuropathy and the Birkenstocks are very hard and hurt my feet (flat as well). I had to stop wearing them. It's springtime here so I'm going to try again. Thanks.

[@FrancineLacroix-m3e]

What works for me is Voltaren extra strength or an anti-inflamatory. My doctor had prescribed Occi-contin but it didn't w 2:40 ork. Voltaren: the pain goes away within seconds.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Voltaren better than OxyContin.

[@janetvorenkamp3655]

I had 5 behind my knee from an injury. they had to be removed surgically. One was the size of a tennis ball! I had one previously years ago that did dissolve.

[@deannatodd-goodson4321]

When I was about four I developed a Baker's cyst about the size of an egg on the back of my knee. It was drained several times. Around the age of eight I went to the Children's Hospital and had surgery, twenty-seven stitches.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Interesting

[@Lizeebie]

In my late 20s/early 30s or so, my knee started hurting bad enough to go to my doctor. He was a DO. He poked around and felt the cyst. Then he said, "this is gonna hurt", and proceeded to stick his thumb behind my knee with all his might! You betcha it hurt! But I've not had any issues since and now I'm 57. Apparently he pushed the fluid back where it came from. I did not have any issue at all with my knees before that or since. Weirdest thing ever.

[@binathere2574]

Love it. Nothing like an old school doctor.

[@genevieveridolfo4276]

I had a baker’s cyst that suddenly ruptured and was pretty sore for a day and I had a difficult time bending my knee. But after a few days I was better. I didn’t know this was due to an underlining problem. However, that explains why I had a torn meniscus months later. After treatment with my local chiropractor which included ultrasound, Graston and hot/cold therapy along with cold laser therapy, I’m happy to say I’m much better and didn’t require surgery.

[@wendyrodriguez5375]

❤ what is cold laser therapy ❓❓❓

[@zeniazenia2787]

I just had an MRI for my new Physiatrist. After two years with the orthopedic surgeon, I have Baker’s Cyst. meniscus tears and a sprained MCL. He will be doing a nerve block first. Platelet Rich Plasma after the inflammation is reduced.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Good luck

[@calburnIII]

I know that medicine changes, but some 35 years ago, I had a large Baker’s Cyst, about the size of a goose egg, on the back of my left knee. The orthopedic surgeon that I went to said that it should be surgically removed, and so it was. At the time, I didn’t have any other knee anomalies, although frankly I don’t recall now what pre-surgical tests were done. It has not recurred. More recently, within the last 10 years, I have had some knee issues in both knees, satisfactorily treated alternately with synvis and cortisone injections. I guess at 80, knees wearing out is to be expected! But no more Baker’s Cysts.

[@calburnIII]

I should add that several years ago, I did have what my doc called “a humongous blood clot” in my left leg, extending from just below my hip to my ankle, so I went on warfarin for quite some time. Then my INR kept fluctuating too much, so for the last few years, I’ve been on Eliquis. I don’t think any of that is related to the Bakers Cyst event.

[@stephdaniels5587]

Super helpful information thank you both 👍👍!

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Glad it was helpful!

[@barbarasmallwood2806]

I had a Baker's Cyst when I was 8 years old, 1958. I have no idea what caused it. My mother just noticed it one day and took me to the doctor. I never felt anything, didn't even know I had it. I have a long S scar behind my knee, but it never came back.

[@mcrchickenluvr]

I’ve had bilateral Baker’s cysts. They were caused by sports injuries and a birth defect. When I was born my knee caps were about 75% of the size they should be. The only time I’ve had them excised was if they caused any issues with my range of motion and 20 minutes of icing or sitting in a cold bath while massaging my knees didn’t help very much.

[@connieguenter5253]

So glad to hear this. I fell and Dr told me I had a bakers cyst , torn meniscus and arthritis. Also heart condition that required 3 stents. I’m worried about what you said about cyst leaking and causing blood clot. My legs since heart surgery have been quite painful and difficult to trust on steps etc. sounds as tho I need another look at what might be going on?

[@TalkingWithDocs]

So the cyst can leak and seem like a blood clot. It would rarely cause a blood clot.

[@craftymystic4868]

Thanks for this. I’ve been told I have a Bakers cyst for years and years, it’s asymptomatic, never worried about it. Both brothers have them too, one did have his taken care of, for some reason I thought it was genetic. How can all 3 siblings have the same injury to their knee? Anyway, I know more about it now. No wonder the docs (in the us) wanted to give me shots for a knee that just was irritated now and then? I did years ago, have a meniscus tear, untreated, it just resolved itself. Granted, I was very sick with a lot of different things and my knee hurting wasn’t a priority. Years later, I feel better than ever, whole different story how I got here, but still, knee just hurts now and then. I do yoga, I’m a yoga teacher, at 67, so the knee hasn’t stopped me at all. Yet, apparently. Unless I can have one and not ever be bothered by it? Thanks, guys. In fact I have been told many many times to ‘not worry about it’.

[@shannonhenning1177]

I ended up in the emergency room last Fourth of July with a ruptured baker cyst. I’ve been through a lot of different painful procedures in my life, and this by far was probably the worst pain. I literally felt like my leg was being ripped off.

[@lindawysocki531]

I had a bakers cyst and torn miniscus about a year ago and I’m 75. I asked the orthopedic if it was possible to fix it without doing actual knee replacement so I decided on the orthoscopic surgery and so far it’s been good but I have a hard time kneeling on that knee when I garden so try to avoid that hopefully I won’t need a total knee replacement in the near future.

[@rossclemens]

I presented to the Drs in my group plan upper thigh numbness after walking. After months of visits (I grew a beard to show them how long this was taking) they finally did an ultrasound, diagnosed as a Baker's Cyst and then had it asperated. Unfortunately it was a blood clot which the asperation dislodged and the clots tore through the veins and valves in my right leg and end in my lungs. Two weeks in hospital, and technicolored ankle/foot. 10 year later I was bone on bone and getting injections. 20 years later began undergoing vein ablation to resolve the charlie horses and discolored ankle/foot. 25 years later I had both TKRs that ended the Baker's Cyst, but at times think I feel a lump?

[@maggiecousineau1877]

I had a Bakers cyst, it was about the size of a tennis ball. I received cortisone shots in the knee, thank goodness the swelling went down as my lower part of my leg was numb. I also had a ganglion cyst on top of my foot, i dropped a tin of fruit on my foot.

[@marygoolsby7374]

I had a torn meniscus with resulting baker's cyst which ruptured. when I was upright my ankle would swell and then when I laid down the fluid would absorb and my ankle would go down. They orthopedic surgeon removed the tear from my meniscus and removed the ruptured baker cyst. He also found my synovial tissue in that knee was shredded and removed that as well. My problems were resolved, except ,the lack of synovial tissue in my knee makes kneeling painful

[@wendyrodriguez5375]

😢 I just had my meniscectomy but doctor said he didn’t touch the baker cyst 😫. 😢

[@annahutchinson]

I had a large bakers cysts. Very painful. I also had a lot fluid in my knee had it drained a couple of times, plus a needle for pain it bothers me off and on. More off. I froze a bottle of water and put it behind my knee. That worked the best.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Good call Anna!

[@marciaborg77]

I was having mowing a long time ago, and it hurt me so badly where I just wanted to take an axe and take my left knee off. I put an ace wrap around my knee, after which I've had numerous knee surgeries on that knee. It was a size of a big huge baseball 9cm x 10cm. Had it aspired numerous times and had surgery on it, but some of the fluid leaked and know it's a movable cyst on that knee. I do know when it gets hard in the back, and I do have oa also. I had a couple aspirations since then 30cc as usual know. I have to keep my knee straight when I sit on the floor. I can't bend it because it hurts me when I have to straighten it out. You can still see the bump in the back. I wear my leggings, no shorts.

[@pamcm1098]

Interesting. My great-grandfather's military career ended after the Spanish American war due to a "cyst behind the knee." He underwent surgery around 1900. Now I know what it was.

[@bileeckh]

I dislocated and relocated my kneecap. Tore my meniscus. I developed Baker's cysts in both legs. 10+ cm. I had one aspirated and injected with cortisone. It gave me about 5 weeks of relief. Then i had to wait 6 months to get another shot. I got a partial knee implant and lost 150 lbs but the cysts remain.

[@grettaspier2756]

I have had one forever. Twenty years, at least. It is the same size it ever was. Nice to know what it is, though.

[@jazmo6662]

@TalkingWithDocs - I had a bakers cyst on my right knee a few years ago and it was really painful. One day I tripped on a step and landed on the knee. I felt a pop and it was gone! The relief from that pain was awesome. So far it hasn't come back. But a couple of years later the pain came back lower down in the middle of my calf when I walk. I thought at first that it might have been a DVT but the symptoms didn't match. No one has been able to tell me if it might be related to the burst Cyst! You are the first to even mention that it might be. I have had no treatment for it except the pain killers for my arthritis pain in other areas! The pain on walking for a while becomes unbearable until I stop and rest. Now the muscles in my lower right leg seem to be wasting away, as it is half the size of my left leg, could this be related? Is there anything or treatment you can advise to ask my GP for?

[@meagandekkar6377]

My entire right leg is swollen. I had a positive Homan’s. Very tight- limited ROM. Compression, elevation, NSAID. I was in the military - Uncle Sam was rough on my knees. I suspect that I have an old MCL tear. My appointment with the orthopod is 9/26 so I’ll find out more than. Using cane and walker to ambulate as weight-bearing is excruciating 😣

[@tomdelisle8955]

I had a baker cyst rupture, got a blood clot, had to wait three months to get the meniscus tear repaired. Quick operation, up on my feet the next day.

[@lm6424]

Just had a baker's cyst rupture 😭 Right knee pain x5 weeks.. yesterday morning my calf was suddenly swollen, painful with a red area. Went to ER, ddimer was high, no ultrasound available, they thought it was a DVT based on symptoms and assessment and ddimer. Had a large dose of fragmin just in case and sent home. Went back this morning for my ultrasound .. leg was even more swollen, painful, barely able to walk. Can't extend my leg or bend it, can't flex my foot. And turns out it's a ruptured baker's cyst 😮 .. can't believe how much it mimicked a DVT and I'm an RN. I thought for sure I had a DVT. Thank goodness it's just a ruptured baker's cyst and not a DVT but man oh man it's painful!!

[@cathymueller2362]

You need to talk to my husband's orthopedic surgeon. His baker's cyst festered with pseudomonas after knee replacement. After months of waiting for US guided aspiration it exploded in my living room.

[@conniekopp7361]

I got my cyst when i had covid in November. My cyst ruptured and my whole left leg was swollen. I couldn't walk or bend my knee for months. Physio, acupuncture, Shockwave therapy, heat and exercise helped but it's not over yet. My knee is very crunchy and I have difficulty going downstairs.

[@TalkingWithDocs]

Oh man. Sounds like arthritis

[@mmendelsons5145]

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was 16 years old, my knees were very affected and always swollen. When I was 20 I had a Baker's cyst (I didn't know) and it ruptured into my calf, it was hard to walk on that leg. My Rheumatologist would drain synovial fluid from my knees and give steroid injection which helped for a short while, eventually though I had Synovectomies done.