Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and your clinical history, they will perform a physical examination that will allow them to diagnose Baker’s cyst, although they will also request tests such as X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI, which will help rule out other more serious pathologies with similar signs.
The treatment goal is to remove the cyst and attack its cause, so you’ll be prescribed anti-inflammatories and physical therapy sessions that include cryotherapy, elastic bandages, crutches, and an exercise program to preserve movement and strength.
If the cyst is very large and bothersome, you will have an aspiration procedure to drain the fluid with a special needle.
When the cyst reappears after needle aspiration procedures, arthroscopic surgery will be necessary to repair the damage inside the knee that is causing the cyst to appear. }
Lastly, when there are nerve and vascular involvements, the best option is to completely remove the cyst through open surgery.
Recovery after surgery is not as fast (between five and six weeks) and it is necessary to follow a series of indications to prevent cyst recurrence, such as:
- Change habits and activities to avoid forcing the joint and promote tissue healing.
- Use of a knee brace to achieve immobilization of the knee.
- Physiotherapy program that helps to recover joint mobility and strength.
At the Orthopedics and Traumatology Center, we seek to improve the lives of patients restricted or immobilized by musculoskeletal disorders or injuries. We specialize in the care of the locomotor system by integrating the latest medical, biological, and technological advances, in strict adherence to the highest international standards of patient care.
