Baker's Cyst
What is it? A Baker’s Cyst is a knee effusion that herniates between the two heads of the gastrocnemius. It is commonly associated with meniscal tears and osteoarthritis.
How does it present? The patient may present with pain and swelling in the posterior knee. They may have other common signs of a meniscal tear or arthritis.
Common exam findings: Swollen, tender mass may be palpated in the posterior knee.
Tests and treatment: Treatment of a Baker's Cyst is generally conservative and targeted at the associated abnormality. If a lower extremity Doppler ultrasound was done to evaluate for a deep venous thrombosis (DVT), sometimes the Baker's Cyst may be seen on this. They may also be visualized by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).