Welcome to Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic's patient resource about Popliteal Cysts.
A popliteal cyst, also called a Baker's cyst, is a soft, often painless bump that develops on the back of the knee. A cyst is usually nothing more than a bag of fluid. These cysts occur most often when the knee is damaged due to arthritis, gout, injury, or inflammation in the lining of the knee joint. Surgical treatment may be successful when the actual cause of the cyst is addressed. Otherwise, the cyst can come back again.
This guide will help you understand:
how a popliteal cyst develops
why a cyst can cause problems
what can be done for the condition
Hear from some of our patients who we treated for Knee Pain
“
I am having a very pleasant experience at Cambie Physiotherapy Clinic . Mr. Tarunbeer Kang, my physiotherapist, is extremely professional and knowledgeable! He helped me to understand my injury and... ”
“ I am having a very pleasant experience at Cambie Physiotherapy Clinic . Mr. Tarunbeer Kang, my physiotherapist, is extremely professional and knowledgeable! He helped me to understand my injury and provided best care. Also, he could constantly adjust the treatment plan based on the condition of my injured knee and leg. Now my leg and knee feel much better.
Besides, Ms. Amanjot and Ms.Amandeep and other staffs in the clinic are very nice and friendly. They are always ready for my appointments, greet warmly to the clients, and help me do the physiotherapy.
I would highly recommend. ”
“
I have a car accident resulted in lots of knee pain and can't bend my knee joints. I came to cambie physio, luckily I met Hardeep Mann, she figured out I have arthritis and plantar femoral syndrome... ”
“ I have a car accident resulted in lots of knee pain and can't bend my knee joints. I came to cambie physio, luckily I met Hardeep Mann, she figured out I have arthritis and plantar femoral syndrome right away and start treating me right away, I recover quickly and able to move around freely without pain. I am a nure and I have experience working with trauma patients before. I can tell Hardeep is very knowledgeable and patience, she helps me to go through this difficult time. The office ladies are very helpful for set up appointments and arranging the right person to see me. I will highly recommend this place and see Hardeep ”
“
This clinic has been amazing in helping my knee recover from some muscle issues. After a few weeks I was able to start making proper use of it again in BJJ. I will continue using this clinic in the... ”
“ This clinic has been amazing in helping my knee recover from some muscle issues. After a few weeks I was able to start making proper use of it again in BJJ. I will continue using this clinic in the future should I have any further injuries
I highly recommend coming here if you need physio. The staff and therapy are top notch! ”
“
Dr. Tarunbeer Kangaroo is very patient and nice person. He takes care of your issue and try his best to help you out. I got a knee pain recently, and after few session, I feel much more better. The... ”
“ Dr. Tarunbeer Kangaroo is very patient and nice person. He takes care of your issue and try his best to help you out. I got a knee pain recently, and after few session, I feel much more better. The place is also easy to access as well. ”
“
INCREDIBLE! I got there with a lot of pain in my knee due a calcification and tendinopathy in the Patelar tendon in the left knee, was struggling for over a year with the injury visited lots of... ”
“ INCREDIBLE! I got there with a lot of pain in my knee due a calcification and tendinopathy in the Patelar tendon in the left knee, was struggling for over a year with the injury visited lots of physios and Doctors and no one could help me, but when I got here physio Hardep Kaur told me she will do everything to help me with my knee, and she explained everything to me about the treatment and procedures because she want it to help me to go back to my activity which is being a professional badminton player, We start with shock wave therapy and manual treatment, after 6 sessions I am almost pain free and my knee feeling amazing good I started doing my activity a couple of days ago and I can only say THANK YOU for everything because I’m Feeling incredible good with no pain patients and doing what I love again without pain thanks to Cambie Physiotherapy at no5 road and thanks to my physio Hardeep kaur for helping me and being so nice to me,taking care of my health and being incredible human caring about the patients, now cambie physiotherapy and Hardeep Kaur Mann will be my place forever Thanks you so much ”
“
INCREDIBLE! I got there with a lot of pain in my knee due a calcification and tendinopathy in the Patelar tendon in the left knee, was struggling for over a year with the injury visited lots of... ”
“ INCREDIBLE! I got there with a lot of pain in my knee due a calcification and tendinopathy in the Patelar tendon in the left knee, was struggling for over a year with the injury visited lots of physios and Doctors and no one could help me, but when I got here physio Hardep Kaur told me she will do everything to help me with my knee, and she explained everything to me about the treatment and procedures because she want it to help me to go back to my activity which is being a professional badminton player,
We start with shock wave therapy and manual treatment, after 6 sessions I am almost pain free and my knee feeling amazing good I started doing my activity a couple of days ago and I can only say THANK YOU for everything because I’m
Feeling incredible good with no pain patients and doing what I love again without pain thanks to Cambie Physiotherapy at no5 road and thanks to my physio Hardeep kaur for helping me and being so nice to me,taking care of my health and being incredible human caring about the patients, now cambie physiotherapy and Hardeep Kaur Mann will be my place forever
Thanks you so much ”
“
Friendly staff!! injured my knee and they’ve helped a lot!!! very knowledgeable. I’ve been seeing Tarunbeer Kang and he’s very helpful and professional!!! 100% recommend ”
“ Friendly staff!! injured my knee and they’ve helped a lot!!! very knowledgeable. I’ve been seeing Tarunbeer Kang and he’s very helpful and professional!!! 100% recommend ”
“
I have been visiting the clinic, Richmond location, for the last few weeks. Very professional and friendly staff. Dr. Tarunbeer Kang is very knowledgeable and competent. His recommendations was very... ”
“ I have been visiting the clinic, Richmond location, for the last few weeks. Very professional and friendly staff. Dr. Tarunbeer Kang is very knowledgeable and competent. His recommendations was very helpful Aman made me feel comfortable during treatments. Direct billing is very convenient.. Very flexible hours. My knee injury is getting much better. Thank you! ”
“
I have been visiting the clinic, Richmond location, for the last few weeks.
Very professional and friendly staff.
Dr. Tarunbeer Kang is very knowledgeable and competent. His recommendations was very... ”
“ I have been visiting the clinic, Richmond location, for the last few weeks.
Very professional and friendly staff.
Dr. Tarunbeer Kang is very knowledgeable and competent. His recommendations was very helpful
Aman made me feel comfortable during treatments.
Direct billing is very convenient..
Very flexible hours.
My knee injury is getting much better.
Thank you! ”
“
Tarunbeer and his team are very knowledgeable, friendly people and Tarunbeer helped me in easing my knee pain The place is very clean with easy access and plenty of parking and have extended hours ”
“ Tarunbeer and his team are very knowledgeable, friendly people and Tarunbeer helped me in easing my knee pain The place is very clean with easy access and plenty of parking and have extended hours ”
“
If you are in any sort of joint pain, NAVJOT is the person to go to. I have had a bad knee pain for the past 3 years and few visits, exercise and correct treatment later I am literally out of pain.... ”
“ If you are in any sort of joint pain, NAVJOT is the person to go to. I have had a bad knee pain for the past 3 years and few visits, exercise and correct treatment later I am literally out of pain. Reasonable charge and in-depth knowledge. Navjot had a perfect plan for my recovery and perfect assessment of my pain. Thank you Navjot :) One of the best physiotherapist I met! ”
“
Great service all around. Tarunbeer Kang really takes the time to listens and suggests everything that might help with great expertise. My knee injury is recovering well ”
“ Great service all around. Tarunbeer Kang really takes the time to listens and suggests everything that might help with great expertise. My knee injury is recovering well ”
“
Excellent clinic. Very professional and friendly staff from minute one. My physiotherapist Hardeep was attentive and I felt safe trusting his guidance. Asked lots of questions and did through testing... ”
“ Excellent clinic. Very professional and friendly staff from minute one. My physiotherapist Hardeep was attentive and I felt safe trusting his guidance. Asked lots of questions and did through testing paid attention to my answers and questions. My LCL knee problem has been getting better now. I recommend this Physio clinic. ”
“
Tarunbeer and his team are very knowledgeable, friendly people and Tarunbeer helped me in easing my knee pain
The place is very clean with easy access and plenty of parking and have extended hours ”
“ Tarunbeer and his team are very knowledgeable, friendly people and Tarunbeer helped me in easing my knee pain
The place is very clean with easy access and plenty of parking and have extended hours ”
The knee joint is formed where the thighbone (femur) meets the shinbone (tibia). A slick cushion of articular cartilage covers the surface ends of both of these bones so that they slide against one another smoothly. The articular cartilage is kept slippery by joint fluid made by the joint lining (the synovial membrane). The fluid is contained in a soft tissue enclosure around the knee joint called the joint capsule.
Knee Joint
A popliteal cyst is a small, bag-like structure that forms when the joint lining produces too much fluid in the knee. The extra fluid builds up and pushes through the back part of the joint capsule, forming a cyst. The cyst squeezes out toward the back part of the knee in the area called the popliteal fossa, the indentation felt in the back part of the knee between the two hamstring tendons and the top part of the calf muscle.
Popliteal Fossa
Most people will be able to feel the cyst in the hollow area right behind the knee joint.
A popliteal cyst may form after damage to the joint capsule of the knee. The weakening of the joint capsule in the damaged area can cause the small sac of fluid to form. This can lead to a bulging of the joint capsule, much like what occurs when an inner tube bulges through a weak spot in a tire. The cyst may become larger over time.
A popliteal cyst can actually be a response to other conditions that cause swelling in the knee joint. This swelling is most often from problems of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the knee joint. It can also be caused by trauma, either from a direct blow to the knee or from repetitive activities that lead to overuse in the knee joint. A popliteal cyst is not from of a blood clot in the leg, although sometimes it can be mistaken for a blood clot.
Symptoms
What does a popliteal cyst feel like?
The symptoms caused by a popliteal cyst are usually mild. You may have aching or tenderness with exercise or your knee may feel unsteady, as though it's going to give out. You may feel pain from the underlying cause of the cyst, such as arthritis, an injury, or a mechanical problem with the knee, for instance a tear in the meniscus. Along with these symptoms, you may also see or feel a bulge on the back of your knee. Anything that causes the knee to swell and more fluid to fill the joint can make the cyst larger. It is common for a popliteal cyst to swell and shrink over time.
Sometimes a cyst will suddenly burst underneath the skin, causing pain and swelling in the calf. A ruptured popliteal cyst gives symptoms just like those of a blood clot in the leg, called thrombophlebitis. For this reason, it is important to determine right away the cause of the pain and swelling in the calf. Once the cyst ruptures, the fluid inside the cyst simply leaks into the calf and is absorbed by the body. In this case, you will no longer be able to see or feel the cyst. However, the cyst will probably return in a short time.
Diagnosis
When you visit Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic, we will ask you to describe the history of your problem. Then our physiotherapist will examine your knee and leg. A physical exam is usually all that is needed to diagnose a popliteal cyst. Unless the cyst has ruptured, further testing is typically not needed.
Ruptured Cyst
Some patients may be referred to a doctor for further diagnosis. Once your diagnostic examination is complete, the physiotherapists at Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic have treatment options that will help speed your recovery, so that you can more quickly return to your active lifestyle.
Our Treatment
What can be done for the condition?
There are two types of treatment for popliteal cysts: surgical and nonsurgical. Whether or not the cyst has ruptured, how painful the cyst has become, or how much it interferes with the normal use of your knee will determine which is the best course of treatment for you. In adults the treatment is most often nonsurgical. If surgery is needed, it is usually done on an outpatient basis, meaning you can leave the hospital the same day. Unless there is a lot of discomfort from the cyst, surgery is rarely required.
Non-surgical Rehabilitation
Nonsurgical treatments are usually most effective when the underlying cause of the cyst is addressed. In other words, the effects of arthritis, gout, or injury to the knee need to be controlled.
Your physiotherapist at Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic may use massage treatments, compression wraps, and electrical stimulation to reduce knee swelling. We may also use flexibility and strengthening exercises for the lower limb to help improve muscle balance in the knee.
Our physiotherapy sessions sometimes include iontophoresis, which uses a mild electrical current to push anti-inflammatory medicine to the sore area. This treatment is especially helpful for patients who can't tolerate injections.
Although the time required for recovery varies, with nonsurgical rehabilitation, a popliteal cyst may improve in two to four weeks. Improvement, however, depends a great deal on improvement in the underlying condition (the problems that are causing the knee to swell). As long as the joint continues to swell, the size of the cyst will ebb and flow. If the knee is kept from swelling, the cyst won't swell.
If nonsurgical methods fail, complete removal of the cyst may be needed. Once they are reassured that the cyst is not dangerous, many people simply ignore the problem unless it becomes very painful.
Post-surgical Rehabilitation
If you have surgery to remove the cyst, you can resume your daily activities and work as soon as you are able. You should keep your knee propped up for several days to avoid swelling and throbbing. Take all medicines exactly as prescribed, and be sure to keep all follow-up appointments.
You may need to use crutches or a cane for awhile, and avoid vigorous exercise for six weeks after surgery. Although the time required for recovery is different for each patient, you should be able to resume driving about two weeks after surgery. Your physiotherapist can then develop a personalized program to help you regain the strength in your leg.
Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic provides services for physiotherapy in Richmond.
Surgery
The goal of surgery is to remove the cyst and repair the hole in the joint lining where the cyst pushed through. Unfortunately, about half of the time the cyst comes back, or recurs, after being removed. Surgeons are cautious when suggesting surgery to remove a popliteal cyst because they are prone to recur. The cure is often permanent, but preventing further cysts depends a great deal on the success of treating the underlying cause. You should be aware that there is a very real chance that your cyst may return after being removed and there is no guarantee that the surgery will be successful.
Surgery can take more than an hour to complete. It is performed either under a general anesthetic, which causes you to sleep during the surgery, or using spinal anesthesia, which numbs the lower half of your body only. With spinal anesthesia, you may be awake during the surgery, but you won't be able to watch what's happening.
An incision will be made in the skin over the cyst.
The cyst is then located and separated from the surrounding tissues. The area of the joint capsule where the cyst appears to be coming from is identified.
A synthetic patch may be sewn in place to cover the hole in the joint capsule left by the removal of the cyst.
Your knee will be bandaged with a well-padded dressing and a splint for support.
Your surgeon will want to check your knee within five to seven days. Stitches will be removed after 10 to 14 days.
You may have some discomfort after surgery, and you will be given pain medicine to control the discomfort.
A popliteal cyst forms very near the major nerve and blood vessels of the leg. It is possible that these structures can be injured during surgery.
If an injury happens, it can be a serious complication. Injury to the nerves can cause numbness or weakness in the foot and lower leg. Injury to the blood vessels may require surgery to repair them.
In addition, it is uncommon but possible that another cyst can occur.
The symptoms caused by a popliteal cyst are usually mild. You may have aching or tenderness with exercise or your knee may feel unsteady, as though it's going to give out. You may feel pain from the underlying cause of the cyst, such as arthritis, an injury, or a mechanical problem with the knee, for instance a tear in the meniscus. Along with these symptoms, you may also see or feel a bulge on the back of your knee. Anything that causes the knee to swell and more fluid to fill the joint can make the cyst larger. It is common for a popliteal cyst to swell and shrink over time.
An incision will be made in the skin over the cyst.