Often there are no symptoms and you may not even know you have a cyst.

If symptoms do occur, they can include:

• swelling behind the knee

• pain

• stiffness or tightness of the knee.

Some of the common causes of Baker's cyst include:

• injury – trauma or injury to the knee can cause a build-up of excess fluid

• torn cartilage – cartilage is a thin cushion on the ends of your bones

• arthritis – particularly rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

• infection – can cause fluid to build up around the knee joint

• unknown causes – Baker's cysts can sometimes develop for no apparent reason.

The symptoms of a Baker’s cyst are usually mild, however sometimes complications can develop, such as:

• the cyst continues to grow, causing your symptoms to worsen

• the cyst may extend down into your calf muscles

• the cyst may burst and cause bruising on the ankle of the affected leg, due to leaked fluid.

If you experience any swelling or warmth in your calf, you should seek medical advice quickly.

It can be difficult to tell the difference between the complications of Baker’s cyst and more serious but less common problems such as a blood clot in the vein. So it’s better to be safe and get it checked out.

A Baker's cyst may diagnosed using a number of different methods, including:

• physical examination of your knee

• taking your medical history to see if you have any conditions that may cause a Baker’s cyst (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)

• x-ray - this won’t show the cyst, but may show arthritis in the knee that may be causing the problem

• shining a light through the cyst (transillumination) - to see if the mass is filled with fluid

• ultrasound or magnetic imaging resonance (MRI).
  
  

Baker's cysts don't always require treatment as they can get better and disappear on their own. If treatment is needed, options can include:

• treating the underlying cause, such as medication for arthritis or rest and ice for torn knee cartilage

• temporarily avoiding activities that aggravate your knee joint

• physiotherapy, which may include heat or ice treatment and exercises and stretches to maintain the mobility and strength of your knee

• using crutches to take the weight off your knee

• cortisone injections to reduce inflammation

• inserting a needle into the cyst and draining the fluid

• surgery may be required in some cases to remove the cyst if all other treatments haven’t worked.
  
  

Knee joints are susceptible to injury during sporting activities. Preventing knee injuries from occurring can reduce the risk of a Baker's cyst developing in the first place or coming back. Things you can do to prevent knee injuries:

• warm up and cool down before and after exercising or playing sports

• wear supportive footwear

• try to turn on the balls of your feet, rather than through your knees to help avoid knee injuries

• if you injure your knee, stop your activity immediately, apply ice packs to treat the swelling and seek medical advice.
  
  

• Your doctor

• Sports medicine professional

• Physiotherapist

• MOVE muscle, bone & joint health
  National Help Line: 1800 263 265
  
  

• The knee contains sacs of fluid called bursa that help cushion the joint and reduce friction between the structures around it.

• A Baker's cyst is a swelling on the back of the knee caused by a build-up of excess fluid inside the bursa.

• Treatment may include rest, physiotherapy, draining the fluid, cortisone injections and treating the underlying cause.

Call our National Help Line and speak to our nurses.
Phone 1800 263 265 or email helpline@move.org.au

• Australian Physiotherapy Association

• Exercise and Sports Science Australia

• Arthritis Research UK

• Better Health Channel

Need medical information regarding your condition and commonly prescribed treatments? Or assistance navigating the health, disability and social services systems? Contact our nurses on the Help Line on 1800 263 265 or email helpline@move.org.au.

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The whole or part of this material is copyright to the State of Victoria and the Better Health Channel. Reproduced with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Users are permitted to print copies for research, study or educational purposes.