Baker's Cyst: Symptoms & Signs

Medically Reviewed on 2/18/2020

A Baker's cyst is a swelling in the area behind the knee joint. A Baker's cyst is also known as a popliteal cyst. The cyst is filled with fluid. Baker's cysts are most common in women and in people over the age of 40.

Signs and symptoms of a Baker's cyst include

Other associated symptoms can include

  • popping, creaking, or locking felt in the knee joint, and
  • pain in the lower leg.

Causes of a Baker's cyst

Inflammation of the knee, often due to an underlying cause such as gout or other types of arthritis, causes a Baker's cyst.

Other baker's cyst symptoms and signs

  • Joint Stiffness
  • Knee Pain
  • Lump Behind the Knee
  • Pain in the Lower Leg
  • Popping, Creaking, or Locking of the Knee Joint
  • Swelling Behind the Knee
  • Tight Feeling Behind the Knee

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References
Jameson, J. Larry, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 20th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2018.