Most cases of behind-the-knee pain are attributed to Baker’s cysts, often discovered during ultrasounds ordered for suspected blood clots. “Most often we see Baker’s cysts when a doctor has suspected a blood clot and orders an ultrasound,” says Jeff Bytomski, DO, a sports medicine specialist with Duke Orthopaedics. “The radiologist reads the scan and discovers a Baker’s cyst instead.” According to Dr. Bytomski, treatment is usually unnecessary unless symptoms appear, as they rarely cause further problems.
However, in some instances, fluid buildup may coincide with knee joint issues leading to pain and stiffness. “If it’s causing pain, it’s most likely due to previous damage, such as arthritis, a torn meniscus, or other damage to the joint,” Dr. Bytomski explains. In these situations, the focus is on treating the initial injury rather than the cyst itself. Rarely do these cysts rupture; if they do, rest and basic care typically alleviate symptoms within weeks.
Draining the cyst under ultrasound guidance or surgery is occasionally required but not common practice. Treatment generally involves resting the knee, applying ice packs, and using NSAID pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen. For severe pain cases, doctors might recommend joint injections targeting underlying conditions.
