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NYC Baker’s Cyst Orthopedic Surgeon

A Baker’s cyst is swelling caused by fluid from the knee joint protruding to the back of the knee; this is a common knee surgery that our NYC orthopedic knee surgeons routinely perform. The back of the knee is also referred to as the “popliteal area” of the knee. A Baker cyst is sometimes called a “popliteal cyst”. When an excess of knee-joint fluid is compressed by the bodyweight between the bones of the knee joint, it can become trapped and separate from the joint to form the fluid-filled sac of a Baker cyst. The cyst can vary in size from a very small cyst to a large cyst that is a number of centimeters across. Rarely, a Baker’s cyst can develop behind both knees at the same time.

Please note: A doctor’s referral is NOT necessary from a General Practitioner to see our sports medicine or orthopedic knee surgery specialists for a consultation, 2nd opinion, or for treatment at our orthopedic surgery practice – including Baker’s Cyst surgery.

We offer full out of network insurance benefits (we will contact your insurance company and submit for you). You will enjoy the luxury and benefit of academic medicine in a top-rated concierge environment without the hassle of long hospital waiting room times and paperwork. Diagnostic tests, treatments, and consultations can often be carried out on the same day. We offer true concierge medicine to all patients, regardless of insurance. We have the ability to see our patients immediately; same day, nights, and weekends and offer emergency services. We provide highly specialized, expert, and up-to-date services to both our patients and our referring doctors.

A Baker’s cyst most commonly occurs in children aged 4 to 7 years and in adults over 35. Baker’s cysts are much more common in adults than in children. You are more likely to develop a Baker’s cyst if you already have an underlying problem with your knee.

Arthritis of the knee is the most common condition associated with Baker’s cysts. This can include various different types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis (most common), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout.

Baker’s cysts may also develop if you have had a tear to the meniscus or to one of the ligaments within the knee, or if you have had an infection within the knee joint.

Baker cysts are diagnosed by the doctor’s or surgeon’s examination and confirmed by radiological testing (either ultrasound, injection of contrast dye into the knee followed by imaging, called an arthrogram, or MRI scan) if necessary. Baker’s cysts are a common condition diagnosed and treated by our NYC Upper East Side orthopedic surgeons.

Baker’s cysts often resolve with removal of excess knee fluid in conjunction with cortisone injection(s). Medications may be prescribed to relieve pain and inflammation. However, when cartilage tears or other internal knee problems are associated with Baker’s cyst, surgery can be the best treatment option. During this orthopedic surgical operation, the surgeon can remove the swollen tissue (synovium) that leads to cyst formation. This is most commonly performed with arthroscopic surgery.

The most common treatments employed by our NYC orthopedic knee surgeons to treat Baker’s cysts include:

  • Fluid drainage – sometimes the orthopedic surgeon may use a needle to drain excess fluid from your knee joint to help to relieve your symptoms. This is an in-office procedure. However, it is common for Baker’s cyst to re-form over time. Cortisone (steroid) injection – this is sometimes used following fluid drainage, to reduce the pain and inflammation caused by the cyst. It does not prevent it from coming back again.
  • Surgery to remove the cyst – this is sometimes performed if a cyst is very large or painful and/or other treatments have not worked. Sometimes a keyhole method is used to close off the connection between the Baker’s cyst and the knee joint. The cyst is also sometimes removed using open surgery. Surgery may be carried out to treat an underlying problem at the same time – for example, repairing a meniscal tear.

Our NYC orthopedic surgeon prides himself on providing you highly personalized and comprehensive orthopedic care. Our philosophy of direct orthopedic surgeon to patient care at every visit has made us one of the most trusted and respected practices on the Upper East Side in NYC. Feel free to contact our bakers cyst orthopedic surgery specialist today, at any time, and start yourself on the road to recovery.

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