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Home /
Quick Facts: Bone, Joint, and Muscle Disorders /
Muscle, Bursa, and Tendon Disorders /
... /
Baker Cyst /
IN THIS TOPIC
What is a Baker cyst?
What causes a Baker cyst?
What are the symptoms of a Baker cyst?
How can doctors tell if I have a Baker cyst?
How do doctors treat a Baker cyst?
OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER
Muscle, Bursa, and Tendon Disorders
Baker Cyst
Bursitis
Fibromyalgia
Tendinitis
ADDITIONAL CONTENT
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Tumors of the Bile Ducts and Gallbladder
Both cancerous and noncancerous tumors of the bile duct or gallbladder are rare. When cancerous, these tumors are almost always fatal. The exception is a cancerous tumor of the gallbladder that is discovered accidentally, such as during gallstone removal surgery. If discovered in this way, the tumor may have been caught early enough to be removed completely, possibly producing a cure. When cancer of the gallbladder is diagnosed, there is almost always a co-existing medical condition found at the same time. Which of the following is the most likely associated medical condition?
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More Content
Quick Facts

Baker Cyst

(Baker's Cyst)

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Last full review/revision Jul 2020| Content last modified Jul 2020
Click here for the Professional Version
Get the full details

What is a Baker cyst?

A Baker cyst is a fluid-filled sac behind your knee.

  • The fluid in the cyst comes from your knee joint

  • You may not have any symptoms unless the cyst breaks open (ruptures)

  • A ruptured cyst makes your calf swell and hurt

  • Doctors will drain the fluid from the cyst using a needle and then inject corticosteroids

  • Rarely, you'll need surgery for the cyst

What causes a Baker cyst?

Baker cysts can happen when too much fluid builds up in your knee joint. The fluid bulges out at the back of your knee.

Baker cysts are more likely if you have:

What are the symptoms of a Baker cyst?

You may not have any symptoms. If you do, you may have:

  • A bulge at the back of the knee

  • Pain or discomfort at the back of your knee

  • Trouble bending your knee

If the cyst bursts open, the fluid can run down inside your calf and you may have:

  • Painful swelling in your calf

How can doctors tell if I have a Baker cyst?

Your doctor sometimes diagnoses a Baker cyst by examining your knee. Sometimes, doctors do imaging tests, such as:

If the Baker cyst has burst and caused calf swelling, doctors do ultrasound and other tests to check to see if you have a blood clot Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Thrombosis is when a blood clot (called a thrombus) blocks a blood vessel. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is when a blood clot forms inside a large vein. Usually the vein is deep in your leg, but... read more in the veins in your leg.

How do doctors treat a Baker cyst?

Small Baker cysts don't need treatment and sometimes go away on their own. Doctors will treat any knee problem that is causing the Baker cyst. If the cyst is bigger and bothers you, doctors may:

  • Drain fluid from the cyst with a needle

  • Inject medicine (corticosteroid) into the knee to lessen inflammation

  • Give you medicine for pain

  • Have you do physical therapy to keep the muscles around the knee strong

Rarely, doctors do surgery to remove the cyst.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: Click here for the Professional Version
Click here for the Professional Version
© 2020 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
Systemic Sclerosis
Bursitis
OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER
Muscle, Bursa, and Tendon Disorders
Baker Cyst
Bursitis
Fibromyalgia
Tendinitis
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Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
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Test your knowledge
Tumors of the Bile Ducts and Gallbladder
Both cancerous and noncancerous tumors of the bile duct or gallbladder are rare. When cancerous, these tumors are almost always fatal. The exception is a cancerous tumor of the gallbladder that is discovered accidentally, such as during gallstone removal surgery. If discovered in this way, the tumor may have been caught early enough to be removed completely, possibly producing a cure. When cancer of the gallbladder is diagnosed, there is almost always a co-existing medical condition found at the same time. Which of the following is the most likely associated medical condition?
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID

Also of Interest

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