Treating Baker's cyst

Treatment for a Baker's cyst isn't needed if you don't have any symptoms. Any symptoms you have can be treated at home.

Further treatment will only be needed ifthe cyst stops you using your knee or causes persistent pain.

To treata Baker's cyst you can:

• takenon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, to reduce swelling and pain in the affected knee
• hold an ice pack to your knee for 10-20 minutesto reduce any swellingtry a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel(never putice directly on your skin)
• rest your knee joint
• use compression bandages to support your knee joint you can buy thesefrom a pharmacy

Further treatment

See your GP for further treatment if your cyst still causes problems after you've tried the above treatments.

One treatment option is to injectcorticosteroid medication directly into the affected knee to help reduce swelling andinflammation.

Treating aruptured cyst

ABaker's cyst can often rupture (burst), resulting in fluid leaking down into your calf. This causes a sharp pain in your calf which becomes red, swollen and tight.

The fluid will gradually be reabsorbed into the body within a few weeks. The recommended treatment for a ruptured cyst is rest and elevation (keeping the affected calf raised).

Prescription painkillers usually a combination ofparacetamol and codeine can also be used to control any pain.See your GP for a prescription.

Surgery to repair knee damage

In some cases, it may be possibleto drain (aspirate) a Bakers cyst. However, it may not be possible to aspirate long-term (chronic cysts) because theyre made of jelly.

Surgically removing a Bakers cyst isn't easy because unlike other types of cyst, they dont have a lining.

Surgery may be needed to repair your knee joint if it's significantly damaged as a result of an injury or a condition such as osteoarthritis.

A type of keyhole surgery called arthroscopyis usually used. The surgeon will use an instrument called an arthroscope to look inside your knee joint. Small surgical instruments can be used alongside the arthroscope to repair any damage.