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Popliteal (Baker) Cyst, Sports Medicine

Samuel J. Galloway, MD and David E.J. Bazzo, MD, FAAFP, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Cystic enlargement of the gastrocnemius-semimembranosus bursa, located on the medial side of the popliteal fossa between the medial head of the gastrocnemius and the semimembranosus ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Most are small, asymptomatic, and discovered incidentally on imaging.

  • Symptoms, if present, include posterior knee pain, swelling, palpable mass, or knee stiffness.

  • Patients may only pr...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Management of underlying joint pathology, if present, is necessary; otherwise, there is a very high rate of cyst recurrence.

  • Asymptomatic cysts that were an incidental finding...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Monitor for symptom improvement after treatment initiated; follow up as needed if cyst recurs. 

PATIENT EDUCATION

Discuss pathophysiology of cyst formation and opti...

REFERENCES

1
Sanchez JE, Conkling N, Labropoulos N. Compression syndromes of the popliteal neurovascular bundle due to Baker cyst. J Vasc Surg.  2011;54(6):1821–1829.
2
Handy JR. Popliteal cysts in ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Acebes JC, Sánchez-Pernaute O, Díaz-Oca A, et al. Ultrasonographic assessment of baker’s cysts after intra-articular corticosteroid injection in knee osteoarthritis. J Clin Ultrasou...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Many cysts are asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on imaging. These can be managed expectantly.

  • In adults, most popliteal cysts are associated with intra-articular joint pathology...

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