Welcome back once again to the ThreeSpires Physiotherapy blog and our series of articles about physiotherapy and problems that affect our patients. Just to remind you, we provide a home visit physiotherapy service based in Lichfield and serving areas such as Sutton Coldfield, Cannock, Tamworth, Rugeley and Walsall. In this article we will look at a knee problem that occasionally affects some of our patients: A Baker's Cyst.

A Baker's Cyst is a cyst or a swelling behind the knee joint usually caused by an increase in synovial fluid in the knee joint itself which then pushes through the posterior part of the knee capsule and forms a bulge (cyst) at the back of the knee. Patients will normally notice a bulge or swelling at the back of the knee which may be painful to touch and when they kneel down causes pain. The causes of the increase in fluid in the knee are varied and it can start with a small slip or trip which irritates the knee joint and causes a build up of fluid inside. Commonly arthritis is to blame and a flare up of underlying arthritis in the knee can cause a build up of fluid inside the knee which then has to escape somewhere and then pops out of the back of the knee.

Generally speaking Baker's Cysts are more common in women and although they can develop at any age tend to occur after the age of 40, this is due to the fact that cartilage in the knee becomes more worn and prone to inflammation as we get older and is more likely to become irritated and produce fluid. Usually a Baker's Cyst will settle of its own accord and the fluid will get re-absorbed back into the body but occasionally they rupture and this causes fluid to go down the calf and lower leg and can cause swelling and pain. It is important that if this happens you seek medical attention as sometimes this may be a DVT.

As mentioned already Baker's Cysts will usually settle over time but if you have pain at the back of your knee and would like to know the cause and how best to help with your symptoms then our physiotherapists will be able to assess and diagnose the cause and if it is a Baker's Cyst provide advice and help with how best to manage the problem.

Just to remind you: our physiotherapy service is based in Lichfield and serves areas such as Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Cannock, Burntwood, Rugeley and Walsall. If you or someone you know thinks they may have a Baker's Cyst and would like help with physiotherapy then please get in touch. We can be contacted via phone: 0788 4281623 or via email: enquiries@threespiresphysiotherapy.co.uk