Is Your Back Of Knee Pain A Baker's Cyst?
A Baker's cyst is characterised by a swelling behind the knee which is caused by a build-up of fluid from the knee joint. It is also known as a popliteal cyst and is the kind of bursitis where the synovial sac behind the knee becomes overfilled with fluid causing severe pain in the area. The reason it is commonly known as a Baker's cyst is in memory of the physician who first described the condition, the surgeon William Baker (1839-1896). There are numerous causes to this kind of swelling behind the knee, but the main ones are as follows: Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis Sports Injury or trauma to the joint Repetitive stress injury from standing or cycling Age related weakening Excess of uric acid (Gout) The condition is more prevalent in women than men mainly due to the fact that more women suffer with osteo arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and typically when they are over the age of 40, although it can affect people of any age. Diagnosis The best way to diagnose a B...