Arthroscopy Anyone with a knee Baker's cyst experience and what to do?

[Cdubtampa]

Hello. I am new to this forum. I am glad I found a place where I am able to ask some questions and hope, someone is able to give me a little bit of personal perspective.

I have had a knee baker's or popliteal cyst behind my left knee for well over 18 months. I had a knee scope 9-1-2022 as I was told taking care of the arthritis and meniscus is getting the root cause, and thus will help to rid of the cyst. Nothing changed.

The knee can give me such a hard time, I really can barely walk. The worst part is getting out of a chair, or from bed, as the first several minutes are so difficult.

I have a ice machine, which I use each day, 1-3 times a day. I take ibuprofen when I am active. (I work out and play golf and also enjoy working around the house). The only thing which has helped is having my knee drained. The doc will drain the cyst, and inject some cortisone. This is wonderful but only lasts 3-5 weeks. The cyst always comes back.

I am not a fan of this due to the harmful nature of any steroid, but without doing this I am just about unable to do anything. As stated I like to be active but it is very, very hard to do anything. I limp around a lot.

I am very depressed and sad as I am 53 and feel my knee is going to be the death of me. No joke. I just feel I have done everything I can to help and nothing works. I even had a 2nd scope 4 weeks ago, this time the surgeon decompressed the cyst during the knee scope. It is already coming back.

MRI's, advil, ice, crutches, surgery, aspirations, injections.............this cyst is just so hard to deal with.

My surgeon tells me I have a lot of arthritis in my knee which is causing the synovial fluid to accumulate in the back and the nature of the one way valve will only allow the fluid to build up. He tells me a TOTAL KNEE replacement will help...........I am just leary of jumping there BUT I feel I am at my end of being able to tolerate this.

Is anyone out there able to give me any personal experience on having a knee baker's cyst, and if a total knee replacement worked for you?

Thanks for any help. I really appreciate it.

Chris

 

[mendogal]

Hi and welcome to BoneSmart.

We have had members with baker's cysts. You can use the Search function to locate posts.

The real question is, what do your xrays show?
If your arthritis has progressed to where you
have bone-on-bone, with or without bone spurs, then the only thing that will improve your quality of life will be a knee replacement.

You may want to get a second or third opinion before making a decision you're comfortable with

 

[Cdubtampa]

So here is the interesting part for me, I am medial bone on bone, but I never had the typical knee pain one would have clinically. I have pressure in the back of the knee from this Baker's Cyst.

I have a lot of osteo arthritis on x-ray and MRI, and the surgeon stated once he was in there for my knee scope, there is more than showed up on film.

Osteoarthritis some meniscal tearing for years and years on my MRI of my left knee.

After I walk or do any sort of activity for maybe 5 minutes, my entire knee then becomes stiff and sore.....painful maybe. So for me, knowing that Baker's cysts just do not go away, and having managed this for a long time now, I am wondering if anyone out there sought a total knee for with a bakers cyst, then months to years later the bakers cyst left.

Thank you for your reply!!!!
Much appreciated, I struggle with hope

 

[mendogal]

Yes! Let me ping staffer @EalingGran on your specific question!

Also... The bursa that overfills and is then called a Baker's cyst is really a normal part of your body. It likely IS your arthritis creating the problem. Here's an explanation.

With osteoarthritis and torn up meniscus plus this recurring bursal problem, there's nothing to be gained by putting off a knee replacement. Things can only get worse, and eventually you'll limit your activities until muscle tone and mass and stamina are reduced, making post op recovery much rockier.

 

[EalingGran]

anyone out there able to give me any personal experience on having a knee baker's cyst, and if a total knee replacement worked for you?

I had a large Baker's cyst which started about a couple of years before I had my PKR. It did cause pain at the back of my knee- although I also had a large pes anserine bursa as well and a large bursa above the kneecap at the front.
My lateral meniscus was torn and macerated on the MRI and I was bone on bone in the lateral compartment.
My PKR cleared almost all of the swelling. At a year+ out I still have a small Baker's cyst but it is tiny compared to how it was before. The other bursae have disappeared.
I did see a physiotherapist for exercises for the Baker's cyst pre surgery. It helped with the pain but didn't shrink the size much if at all.

 

[Cdubtampa]

Gotcha, this helps.

I am going to the surgeon tomorrow for follow up since my surgery, and I will ask him his thoughts.

I appreciate all your answers..........

It is just hard for me to think a bakers cyst would bring me to a total knee

Knowing the bakers cyst is a normal part of anatomy, that other issues are causing it, which in turn is a symptom, the fact is I cannot understand how I would get a total knee at 53, but i get why you stated

 

[EalingGran]

is just hard for me to think a bakers cyst would bring me to a total knee

I think a Baker's cyst is often just a symptom of underlying problems. My Baker's cyst was probably one of the first symptoms of my knee issues.
In retrospect I probably should have had surgery sooner. I tried putting it off with physio/osteopathy/expensive specialist orthotics/ knee supports/ expensive rocking MBT shoes etc!!. But it was only when a) I saw how much damage there was on MRI and b) I was out one day and saw in a full length mirror how twisted and valgus my leg was getting due to the lateral part of the knee collapsing due to arthritis... Then I realised it was inevitable. Only you can decide if and when enough is enough.

 

[Jockette]

Hi and Welcome!

2nd scope 4 weeks ago

Please give us the date of this procedure and we’ll add it to your signature.

the fact is I cannot understand how I would get a total knee at 53, but i get why you stated

I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with such a painful situation.

It’s not the calendar age of your knee that matters, it’s the condition of your knee that matters. We have quite a few members younger than 53 who get knee replacements.

 

[EalingGran]

The knee can give me such a hard time, I really can barely walk. The worst part is getting out of a chair, or from bed, as the first several minutes are so difficult.

I think that probably answers your question about surgery.
I could still walk quite a lot without too much pain- but the deformity was getting worse and it was causing hip pain and sciatica at night due to the twisting.
We are all different but if it is giving you such a hard time to walk and get up- it sounds as though it may well be time to go for surgery.

 

[Cdubtampa]

Yes. Wow. Thank you all for the responses.
I am overwhelmed at the caring messages.
I feel I am not all alone!

My lower leg is showing valgus and has for years
Knowing my knee has advanced arthritis and meniscus is not all there. Knowing a bakers cyst is a symptom of the knee being degenerative makes sense to being open for a total knee

To answer an earlier question
1st knee scope 5-30-2012 (knee popped or snapped and couldn’t straighten leg. Surgery was amazing within 48 hours no issues)

2nd knee scope 8-30-2022 was due to the bakers cyst issues such. Attempted to clean up the knee. Within a few days after cyst was back.

3rd knee scope a few weeks ago on 1-26-2024. This time a decompression was also done during the scope on the cyst. It’s back after 20 days

So………just by merely typing this all out and reading it back I am going to see about a total knee tomorrow when I see my ortho

 

[Cdubtampa]

anyone out there able to give me any personal experience on having a knee baker's cyst, and if a total knee replacement worked for you?

I had a large Baker's cyst which started about a couple of years before I had my PKR. It did cause pain at the back of my knee- although I also had a large pes anserine bursa as well and a large bursa above the kneecap at the front.
My lateral meniscus was torn and macerated on the MRI and I was bone on bone in the lateral compartment.
My PKR cleared almost all of the swelling. At a year+ out I still have a small Baker's cyst but it is tiny compared to how it was before. The other bursae have disappeared.
I did see a physiotherapist for exercises for the Baker's cyst pre surgery. It helped with the pain but didn't shrink the size much if at all.

Does your bakers cyst now cause any issues ?

 

[Cdubtampa]

Yes. Wow. Thank you all for the responses.
I am overwhelmed at the caring messages.
I feel I am not all alone!

My lower leg is showing valgus and has for years
Knowing my knee has advanced arthritis and meniscus is not all there. Knowing a bakers cyst is a symptom of the knee being degenerative makes sense to being open for a total knee

To answer an earlier question
1st knee scope 5-30-2012 (knee popped or snapped and couldn’t straighten leg. Surgery was amazing within 48 hours no issues)

2nd knee scope 8-30-2022 was due to the bakers cyst issues such. Attempted to clean up the knee. Within a few days after cyst was back.

3rd knee scope a few weeks ago on

 

[Cdubtampa]

anyone out there able to give me any personal experience on having a knee baker's cyst, and if a total knee replacement worked for you?

I had a large Baker's cyst which started about a couple of years before I had my PKR. It did cause pain at the back of my knee- although I also had a large pes anserine bursa as well and a large bursa above the kneecap at the front.
My lateral meniscus was torn and macerated on the MRI and I was bone on bone in the lateral compartment.
My PKR cleared almost all of the swelling. At a year+ out I still have a small Baker's cyst but it is tiny compared to how it was before. The other bursae have disappeared.
I did see a physiotherapist for exercises for the Baker's cyst pre surgery. It helped with the pain but didn't shrink the size much if at all.

Does your bakers cyst now cause any issues ?

Yes. The bakers cyst is my issue

 

[EalingGran]

No my remaining small Baker's cyst is totally painless and hasn't changed in size since shortly after my surgery

 

[Cdubtampa]

Ok. Thank you again

 

[Jaycey]

@Cdubtampa If you are worried about the impact of surgery on an active lifestyle, please spend some time in the recovery forums. Plenty of happy members - most having wished they had not waited so long for surgery. Yes, recovery in the early days can be challenging. But joint replacement is all about quality of life.

And age is not at all a factor in the decision. Don't let anyone tell you that you are too young for TKR. Technology is on your side. These implants last a lifetime.

Please let us know how your appointment goes.

 

[Cdubtampa]

Thank you very much, once again, I really appreciate all of this
Chris

 

[Cdubtampa]

I went to my orthopedic surgeon today. I was able to see the pictures of the left knee scope down 27 days ago. Unfortunatley for me, I am bone on bone, the medial cartilage is gone, and my femur is starting to show signs of wear and tear. The tibia is the same.

Soooooo...........I am going to pursue a total knee soon. I have been reading a lot of posts from the recovery forum and I see a lot of issues. Most seem pain and stiffness and severe issues within 2 months of surgery.

I will try to find out people who are past 6-12 months of a Total Knee and see if they are satisifed, glad they did it.

I am 53, active, and I need to get my life back. I am not one who wants to sit around the next few decades and do nothing, that is not going to work. My ortho is a buddy of mine, and he knows I mean business.

What I find very fascinating, is the cutting edge approach to a total knee. It is robotically assisted so that is refreshing.

 

[mendogal]

Here's some information to help you prepare. Please do post any specific questions or concerns!

KNEE PRE-OP GUIDELINES

If you are at the stage where you have joint pain but don't know for sure if you are ready to have surgery, these links may help:

​

Score Chart: How bad is my arthritic knee?​

Choosing a surgeon and a prosthesis​

BMI Calculator - What to do if your surgeon says you're too heavy for joint replacement surgery​

Longevity of implants and revisions: How long will my new joint last?​

If you are at the stage where you are planning to have surgery but are looking for information so you can be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:

​

Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home​

Recliner Chairs: Things you need to know if buying one for your recovery​

Pre-Op Interviews: What's involved?​

Regardless of where you are in the process, the website and app My Knee Guide can help you stay organized and informed. The free service keeps all the information pertaining to your surgery and recovery in one place on your smartphone. It is intended to be a personal support tool for the entire process.

And if you want to picture what your life might be like with a replaced knee, take a look at some stories of amazing knee recoveries

 

[benne68]

will try to find out people who are past 6-12 months of a Total Knee and see if they are satisifed, glad they did it.

I'm one who is 2+years post-op for my right TKR and have been very pleased with the outcome. In fact, I was so happy that I had my left knee replaced in December!

You can read my 2021recovery story here: https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/benne68-in-recovery.67226/
and my current recovery story here: https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/benne68’s-tkr-2-recovery.75916/