Baker's cyst can occur for a number of reasons. In some cases, it may even go away on its own. But we know that there are people who do not have this miracle and need to go to another type of treatment. There are various exercises and stretches to help you control your symptoms, and we explain them below.
What is Baker's cyst?
Baker's cysts, which are also known as popliteal or popliteal synovial cysts , are fluid-filled found in the back of the knee. This type is usually related to a problem with the knee joint, although it is not known exactly what it is.
Cysts can occur due to injuries , such as meniscus or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, but they can also be caused by certain health problems, such as osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis . Also, there are times when they do not have symptoms and you only notice a lump in the back of the knee.
However, in other cases, the cyst may be so large that it affects the knee's range of motion. Baker's cysts can also cause stiffness, inflammation, and pain .
Depending on each case, the doctor may recommend injecting steroids, draining the cyst, or even surgically removing it.
Best exercises for Baker's cyst
Experts recommend avoiding exercises like jogging, running, tennis, and other high-impact activities. It would be better to try exercises that can help strengthen the knee muscles. Gentle, non-weight-bearing exercises can also be very helpful and can help increase your mobility.
If you want to strengthen your knee muscles and reduce stress on the joint, the hamstring curls , calf raises, and quadriceps extensions are highly recommended exercises.
It is normal that your mobility is too limited to try these exercises from the beginning. Pain can even occur when you bend or extend your knee with Baker's cyst.
But if we do not move the knee we can cause stiffness, so it is better to do exercises that maintain flexibility in the joint.
Stretches for a Baker's cyst include the supine hamstring stretch, the standing quadriceps stretch, and the heel cord stretch. If you really struggle with your range of motion, you can also try more basic knee stretches.
There are certain exercises that can help reduce the unpleasant symptoms associated with Baker's cyst. Still, this does not mean that you should do any exercise.
You just have to lie on your stomach and bend your knee back and forth; This can help stretch your knee muscles and increase your mobility. You can also put a rolled towel under your ankle when lying down, and gradually stretching your leg can help you fully straighten your knee.
If you're having trouble controlling symptoms despite proper exercises and stretches for a Baker's cyst, see a physical therapist or see your doctor. They can help you combine different exercise strategies for Baker's cyst with other pain management strategies, such as ice, compression bandages, or steroids , which can help reduce swelling and inflammation around the knee.
