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A Baker’s cyst (nothing to do with baking) – also called a popliteal cyst - is a swelling behind the knee of synovial tissue. Synovial tissue lines the knee (as it does in the other joints of the limbs) and produces the synovial fluid that lubricates the joint. Anything that causes the synovial membrane to swell can cause the cyst, such as arthritis, most often osteoarthritis. Other causes include meniscus (“cartilage”) tears and rheumatoid arthritis.
There is not always pain with a Baker’s cyst., but there can be, or a feeling of tightness behind the knee on bending or straightening it.. The cyst can tear and leak fluid between the calf muscles.
Other causes of swelling behind the knee are phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) or popliteal aneurysm (bulging artery wall). Plebitis is usually warm and tender; aneurysms pulse.
An osteopath will be able to tell whether the swelling is a cyst, phlebitis or aneurysm and what the cause of the cyst is likely to be. A Baker’s cyst may need drainage but will often come back. An osteopath will try to address the cause of the problem.
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