Baker's cyst

Baker's cyst (incorrect name Baker's cyst) is a benign tumor in the knee, a hernia of the popliteal fossa. Under the knee in humans there are tendons (gastrocnemius and semimembranosus muscles), between which there is an intertendinous bursa. This bursa accumulates yellow synovial fluid, which provokes inflammation. Thus, a kind of bulge is formed under the knee. The fluid that collects in it presses on the nerve endings located there, which causes pain, difficulty in the joint, and difficulty in moving. Baker's cyst gradually grows, the size of this soft dense neoplasm can be from 2 millimeters to 1.5 centimeters.

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Causes of Baker's Cyst

Baker's cyst is an age-related disease, mostly affecting older people. Its formation is caused by cell aging and metabolic disorders. Baker's cyst can be caused by arthritis, arthrosis, chronic synovitis (when the synovial membrane of the joints becomes inflamed), it can appear after knee cartilage injuries. It often happens that there was no visible reason for the occurrence of Baker's cyst. Sometimes Baker's cyst can be found in children and adolescents, but this is rare.

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Symptoms of Baker's Cyst

When a Baker's cyst has just begun to form, it is almost impossible to notice it - no changes in sensations are observed. When the cyst gradually increases, it begins to manifest itself:

• the occurrence of pain under the knee, both when the leg is in a static state and during physical activity, when the patient sharply bends or straightens the leg;
• a round tumor-formation appears
• discomfort is felt.

There are also cases when symptoms do not appear not only in the initial stages of the formation of a Baker's cyst, but also later on.

Complications of Baker's Cyst

• If the Baker's cyst grows too large, high pressure can cause it to rupture. Then the synovial fluid that was in it is transferred to the shin. Pain and swelling, redness, and local temperature increase occur.
• The tibial nerve may be compressed by the cyst, causing weakness, numbness, or tingling down the leg.
• If the size of the Baker's cyst increases significantly, compression of the nerve, lymphatic and blood vessels under the knee occurs, resulting in pain and swelling of the lower leg.
• Thrombosis and thrombophlebitis of deep veins of the leg. In case of complications - pulmonary embolism, when the thrombus breaks away from the walls of the veins and migrates.
• Varicose veins of the leg due to Baker's cyst.

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Diagnosis of Baker's Cyst

If a Baker's cyst is suspected, the doctor will feel the knee and the back of the knee to check for any swelling.

If we talk about diagnostics using special medical devices, then MRI is used, when using magnetic waves, the structure of the tumor and damage to the meniscus are revealed. There is another option - diphanoscopy - when a cavity filled with liquid is detected using bright color.

In ultrasound examination, diagnostics are performed using ultrasound. When diagnosing Baker's cyst, knee arthroscopy is also performed, when tubes are inserted into the joint, with the help of which the joint cavity is examined. Another method is arthrography, when a contrast agent and air are injected into the knee joint, due to which the contours of soft tissues and the surface of the joint are visualized.

X-rays do not help in the case of a Baker's cyst, but the doctor will be able to see arthrosis and other diseases on an X-ray.

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Baker's Cyst Treatment

There are several options for getting rid of Baker's cyst: conservative, surgical, and folk remedies.

Conservative treatment of Baker's cyst

Its essence is that doctors take joint fluid from the tumor using a syringe and a thick needle. Instead, an anti-inflammatory or hormonal drug like diprospan and hydrocortisone is placed in the cyst area. However, you should not hope that the conservative method will give results the first time - in this case, relapses often occur: the cavity can again fill with fluid. Therefore, you need to constantly check with your doctor for some time.

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Surgical treatment of Baker's cyst - surgical treatment

During the operation to remove a Baker's cyst, local anesthesia is used. The entire process takes about twenty minutes. After five days to a week, the patient can move fully; after ten days, the stitches are removed. After the operation, the patient wears a cast or the knee is wrapped with a tight bandage.

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Traditional methods of treating Baker's cyst

As practice shows, folk remedies cope well with Baker's cyst. But it is still important to first consult a doctor who will be able to most accurately establish a diagnosis and even tell you how best to combine medications and folk methods to quickly cope with Baker's cyst. There is an opinion that in the early stages you can even get rid of Baker's cyst even with the help of folk medicine alone.

A folk method of treating Baker's cysts with golden mustache is to apply compresses of the tincture of this plant to the sore spot and take a few sips internally. Recipe for golden mustache tincture for treating Baker's cysts: fill a container (for example, a three-liter jar) with finely chopped leaves, mustaches and stems of golden mustache, pour in vodka, leave in a dark place for three weeks, then squeeze and store the resulting tincture in the refrigerator. Every night, apply a gauze compress under the knee, wrap it in polyethylene and wrap it in warm material (wool). A couple of sips of tincture - orally two or three times a day.

A folk method for treating Baker's cysts with burdock and celandine is to apply a compress of finely chopped leaves, it is even better to put them through a meat grinder. The leg with the compress should also be wrapped in polyethylene and woolen cloth.

A folk method of treating Baker's cysts with a cabbage leaf. A leaf soaked in boiling water is applied to the knee joint, lubricated with honey, and a bandage is applied. This is usually done at night. A folk method of treating Baker's cysts with a homemade ointment made from calendula and geranium. Grind calendula leaves, mix with lard. Apply to the area of the Baker's cyst, hold for three hours, then wipe off the remains. A folk method of treating Baker's cysts with turpentine baths. A teaspoon of turpentine is diluted in a glass of warm water. Apply as a compress, wrapping it with a warm cloth to keep it warm.

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Baker's Cyst Prevention

To date, modern medicine does not know methods for preventing Baker's cyst.

Baker's cyst is a serious disease that requires treatment. Once again, we draw your attention to the fact that you cannot cure Baker's cyst with herbs alone. Folk methods often only relieve pain and serve as a good assistant to medical drugs. Therefore, we strongly recommend that at the slightest suspicion of Baker's cyst, you seek help from medical specialists.