Risk of worsening dissection and compartment syndrome
Underlying joint pathology is the root cause
Treatment aimed at cause reduces long-term recurrence
Symptom management alone insufficient for prevention
Patient Discharge Instructions
copy discharge instructions
Baker's cyst rupture home care
Rest and limit activity for the next several days
Use crutches if walking is painful
Ice the back of the knee and calf
20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, several times a day
Compress the calf with an elastic bandage
Wrap from foot to just below the knee
Remove if pain increases or foot becomes numb
Elevate the leg above heart level when resting
Medications
Take anti-inflammatory medication as prescribed with food
Ibuprofen or naproxen for pain and swelling
Do not start any blood thinners unless specifically prescribed for confirmed blood clot
What to expect
Calf pain and swelling typically improve over 1 to 3 weeks
Bruising around the ankle may appear in the first few days
Full resolution may take several weeks
Return to emergency immediately for
Severe worsening pain especially with moving your toes or ankle
May indicate a compartment syndrome
Foot or toes becoming numb, tingly, or weak
Foot becoming pale, cold, or blue
Shortness of breath or chest pain
Fever greater than 38.5 degrees Celsius
Rapidly increasing swelling or redness
Follow-up
See your family doctor or orthopedic specialist within 1 to 2 weeks
MRI of the knee may be ordered to look for a meniscal tear or other joint problem
If symptoms recur, you may need further assessment for underlying arthritis or joint damage
References
Guidelines and key sources
Primary references
Brady HR, Quigley C, Stafford FJ et al. Popliteal Cyst Rupture and the Pseudothrombophlebitis Syndrome. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 1987. PMID 3310762
Anand SS, Wells PS, Hunt D et al. Does This Patient Have Deep Vein Thrombosis? JAMA. 1998. Vol 279(14). PMID 9546567
Langsfeld M, Matteson B, Johnson W et al. Baker's Cysts Mimicking the Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis: Diagnosis With Venous Duplex Scanning. Journal of Vascular Surgery. 1997. PMID 9129621
Key studies and systematic reviews
Imaging and diagnosis studies
Ward EE, Jacobson JA, Fessell DP et al. Sonographic Detection of Baker's Cysts: Comparison With MR Imaging. AJR. 2001. PMID 11159077
Miller TT, Staron RB, Koenigsberg T et al. MR Imaging of Baker Cysts: Association With Internal Derangement, Effusion, and Degenerative Arthropathy. Radiology. 1996. PMID 8816552
Torreggiani WC, Al-Ismail K, Munk PL et al. The Imaging Spectrum of Baker's (Popliteal) Cysts. Clinical Radiology. 2002. PMID 12169279
Treatment studies
Smith MK, Lesniak B, Baraga MG et al. Treatment of Popliteal (Baker) Cysts With Ultrasound-Guided Aspiration, Fenestration, and Injection: Long-Term Follow-Up. Sports Health. 2015. PMID 26502415
Van Nest DS, Tjoumakaris FP, Smith BJ et al. Popliteal Cysts: A Systematic Review of Nonoperative and Operative Treatment. JBJS Reviews. 2020. PMID 32149934
Su C, Kuang SD, Zhao X et al. Clinical Outcome of Arthroscopic Internal Drainage of Popliteal Cysts. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2020. PMID 32631287
Complication and special topic references
Complications
Petros DP, Hanley JF, Gilbreath P, Toon RD. Posterior Compartment Syndrome Following Ruptured Baker's Cyst. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 1990. PMID 2256746
Sanchez JE, Conkling N, Labropoulos N. Compression Syndromes of the Popliteal Neurovascular Bundle Due to Baker Cyst. Journal of Vascular Surgery. 2011. PMID 21958564
Coding references
ICD-10 M71.20 Synovial cyst of popliteal space (Baker's cyst) unspecified knee
ICD-10 M71.21 Baker's cyst right knee
ICD-10 M71.22 Baker's cyst left knee
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.