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Baker's cyst Causes and Risks:
In children, the Baker's cyst appears as a painless swelling behind the knee that is more obvious with the knee fully extended. A large cyst may cause some discomfort or stiffness but generally is asymptomatic . Baker's cysts usually disappear spontaneously after several years.
Prevention:
There is no known way to prevent the development of a Baker's cyst.
Symptoms:
- painless swelling behind the knee
- the cyst feels much like a water filled balloon
Signs and Tests:
Treatment:
No treatment is necessary, because Baker cysts resolve spontaneously. Surgery is generally not necessary unless the cyst is extremely large or painful. Aspiration will decrease cyst size but generally the cyst recurs.
Prognosis:
The cyst disappears without intervention.
Complications:
There are usually no complications.
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if there is a swelling behind the knee that becomes large or painful; or if there are signs of infection (redness, swelling, drainage, fever ).
Anatomical areas of the back that may be referred to in the symptom analysis section are labeled. There are three body views (front, back and side) that may be helpful if you are uncertain of a body area. Many areas are referred to by both descriptive and technical names. For example, the back of the knee is called the popliteal
fossa. However, areas like the "flank" may not have both names, so the location may be unclear. These illustrations should clarify the position of those anatomical sites.
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