Chiropractic Care for Baker's Cysts

Chiropractic care is one of the most effective treatments for baker’s cysts because a chiropractor determines and treats the underlying cause of the problem. This promotes safe and natural healing without medication or surgical procedures.

Understanding Baker's Cysts 

A baker’s cyst is a fluid-filled cyst that grows behind the knee. It’s occasionally painful but more often causes a feeling of tightness and discomfort. For most people, pain arises during certain activities, such as straightening the leg or bending the knee.

In most cases, baker’s cysts are a secondary medical issue related to a primary problem like arthritis or a tear in the cartilage. The best way to treat this type of cyst is to treat that primary cause.

Causes

Baker’s cysts occur when synovial fluid backs up in the back of the knee. The most common causes of this include:

• Knee joint inflammation
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Degenerative meniscus
• Patellofemoral arthrosis
• Injury, including cartilage tears

Symptoms

Pain may or may not occur with a baker’s cyst. Other symptoms include:

• Swelling behind the knee
• Swelling that extends into the leg
• Stiffness
• Inability to bend or straighten the knee

Symptoms tend to worsen after inactivity or long periods of sitting or standing.

Can a Baker's Cyst Go Away on Its Own?

Yes. When the cyst's underlying cause is treated, it often goes away on its own.

How Long Do Baker's Cysts Last?

It varies based on the cause. Treating the underlying cause speeds up the healing of the cyst. If left untreated, the cyst is unlikely to go away unless the underlying cause is cured.

Baker's Cyst Treatment Options

There are several appropriate treatment options for baker’s cysts. These are sometimes used in conjunction to provide a comprehensive approach to fast healing.

Treatment options include:

Medication

Most of the time, medications recommended for baker’s cysts are over-the-counter pain relievers. This includes acetaminophen and ibuprofen, both of which also reduce inflammation.

In addition to OTC medications, some people benefit from steroid injections, such as cortisone. This also reduces inflammation and sometimes lessens the size of the cyst.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy exercises: 

• Reduce stiffness
• Improve range of motion
• Strengthen the muscles around the knee

This can alleviate pain and preserve the function of the knee.

Surgery

In some cases, patients need surgery for their baker’s cyst. 

Draining the cyst is a minor procedure that reduces its size. It’s relatively safe and usually improves a person’s condition.

Arthroscopic surgery might be needed when the cyst is related to a joint problem. This is often the case when a cartilage tear causes the cyst. While repairing the cartilage, the surgeon drains the cyst's fluid.

Surgery is rarely needed to remove a cyst. In most cases, it’s only recommended after all other treatment options are exhausted, and there’s pain or the cyst interferes with daily life.

Exercises that Help Baker's Cysts

You can do several exercises at home or with the guidance of a physical therapist that help with baker’s cysts. For example:

• Seated hamstring stretch: improves knee extension
• Heel slide: improves knee flexion
• Standing calf stretch: releases tension in the lower leg
• Wall squat: strengthens quadriceps, offering greater support to the knee, and strengthens the lower body in general
• Side-stepping: strengthens gluteal muscles and stabilizes hip and knee joints

Activities to Avoid

You might want to avoid certain activities if you have a baker’s cyst. This is especially true if you’re experiencing pain caused by the cyst. 

In many cases, the cyst puts pressure on your joint, which means you’ll have difficulty bending your knee. Don’t force bending or straightening if it’s too painful. Instead, you can work with a physical therapist to keep your knee flexible and mobile. 

Remember, a baker’s cyst can burst. If this happens, the fluid from the cyst leaks into the calf, which causes swelling and usually intense pain. A burst cyst might also cause redness or the feeling of water running over the affected area. 

You should seek immediate medical attention if you believe a baker’s cyst has burst. While the burst cyst isn’t serious, the symptoms mimic a blood clot in the leg, which can be of fatal concern.

Treating Baker's Cysts Naturally with Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is one of the most effective options for treating a baker’s cyst. 

It’s non-invasive and helps you avoid needing medication, surgery, and other procedures. 

Chiropractors assess the cyst and conduct diagnostic testing to determine what’s causing the cyst. From there, they can determine the best course of treatment.

In some cases, an older injury causes the cyst to develop. This is most common when the joint is stressed or tense. A chiropractic adjustment is also helpful when the cyst is caused by arthritis. 

Chiropractors bring the body back into alignment, which alleviates the problem. This helps reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling. 

Conclusion

Baker’s cysts are not serious medical concerns, but they can interfere a great deal with daily life and cause pain. These cysts are usually caused by other conditions, including arthritis or joint injury. If you have a baker’s cyst that’s causing you pain or discomfort, chiropractic care will help restore mobility and treat the underlying cause of the problem.

Dr. Eric Neumann D.C.

Dr. Eric Neumann grew up in Alberta, Canada where he majored in Chemistry at the University of Calgary. During his time at University, he obtained licensure as a Massage Therapist. It was clear that hands-on healing would be his calling. After suffering multiple sport-related injuries he became interested in Chiropractic. Dr. Neumann graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in 2009. He has since specialized in the treatment and management of acute spinal injuries.