{"id":12638,"date":"2026-11-09T07:02:52","date_gmt":"2026-11-09T07:02:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/?p=12638"},"modified":"2026-11-09T07:04:47","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T07:04:47","slug":"bakerystic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/bakerzyste\/","title":{"rendered":"Baker's cyst: Symptoms, causes, and treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-12638\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-12638-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-12638-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-12638-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>You feel a pressure or tension sensation behind the knee; perhaps you can feel a soft swelling in the knee joint. It becomes more uncomfortable when bending or standing for a long time. A possible explanation is a Baker cyst. It is usually harmless, but often indicates that something is irritated in the knee itself. It is also important to distinguish it from a thrombosis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-12638-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-12638-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-12638-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2>What is a Baker cyst?<\/h2>\n<p>There is a small sac of fluid located in the knee joint. When the joint is irritated, the sac produces more synovial fluid, which can accumulate in the sac and form a bulge. This is the Baker cyst, also known as the knee joint cyst. It is therefore not usually the cause of the symptoms, but rather a consequence of them.<\/p>\n<h2>Typical symptoms<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Soft, sometimes bulging swelling in the groin area<\/li>\n<li>Pressure and tension sensation, especially when bending or stretching fully<\/li>\n<li>Complaints often increase after exertion<\/li>\n<li>Sometimes radiating into the calf<\/li>\n<li>With small cysts, symptoms often go unnoticed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Important: Differentiation from thrombosis<\/h2>\n<p>A swollen, painful calf can also be caused by a blood clot in a leg vein (thrombosis). This is an emergency. Seek medical attention on the same day if the calf or leg suddenly becomes thick, red, warm, or tender to the touch. If you experience shortness of breath or chest pain, call 144 immediately. A Baker cyst can also rupture. Then suddenly, pain and swelling in the calf may occur, resembling a thrombosis (<a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12080045\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Hasan et al., 2025<\/a>; Orthopedics-Review, 2014). Therefore, a doctor or a nurse always resolves swelling of the calves.<\/p>\n<h2>Causes: What lies behind the knee<\/h2>\n<p>Common triggers are meniscus damage, cartilage wear (arthrosis), ligament injuries, or inflammation after overexertion. Read more about this topic here. <a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/meniscus-injury\/\">Meniscus injury<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/arthrosis\/\">Osteoarthritis<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/knee-pain-causes-treatment\/\">Knee pain<\/a>. Therefore, the treatment is not only based on the cyst itself, but also on the cause of the joint inflammation.<\/p>\n<p>Current studies also show that a Baker cyst is often associated with knee osteoarthritis, meniscus injury, or rheumatic joint disease (<a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12080045\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Hasan et al., 2025<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/karger.com\/mpp\/article\/30\/6\/585\/825026\/Baker-s-Cyst-with-Knee-Osteoarthritis-Clinical-and\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Abate et al., 2021<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h2>Diagnosis<\/h2>\n<p>The cyst can usually be felt well. The ultrasound reliably shows it and distinguishes it from other swellings. An MRI can show which change in the knee causes the cyst. The imaging is ordered by doctors.<\/p>\n<h2>What you can do yourself<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Do not overexert the knee, but keep moving: gentle walking, cycling without much resistance.<\/li>\n<li>It temporarily cools down irritation.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid deep squats, kneeling, and prolonged exertion on hard ground for the time being.<\/li>\n<li>Do not tightly bandage the knee. A too tight bandage can hinder the return of blood flow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How does physiotherapy help?<\/h2>\n<p>We thoroughly examine the knee: mobility, stability, muscle strength, and gait pattern. Then we treat the underlying cause. This includes: <a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/offer\/manual-therapy\/\">Manual therapy<\/a>, Mobilization of the joint, strengthening of the thighs and hips, and an exercise program that relieves the knee. Often, the cyst will subside when the irritation in the joint subsides. If it remains large or painful, doctors will discuss a puncture, infiltration, or, rarely, an operation with you.<\/p>\n<p>Physiotherapy is referred to in overview studies as part of conservative treatment. Complaints may return after conservative treatment (<a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12080045\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Hasan et al., 2025<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>After an infiltration puncture, the cyst can recur if a meniscus injury is not treated (<a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12080045\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Hasan et al., 2025<\/a>Therefore, the examination of the knee joint is part of the treatment.<\/p>\n<p>A small case series involving nine individuals describes, after an ultrasound-guided puncture with a cortisone injection, an average of about six months less pain. Due to the small number, the statement is limited in its significance (Stroiescu et al., 2023).<\/p>\n<h2>When to see a doctor?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Suddenly thick, red, warm or very painful calves: on the same day, emergency call 144 due to shortness of breath<\/li>\n<li>Sudden stabbing pain behind the knee with swelling<\/li>\n<li>The knee locks or gives way<\/li>\n<li>The swelling grows or remains for weeks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Is a Baker cyst dangerous?<\/h3>\n<p>Most often not. However, it can burst, and the swelling of the vein must always be attributed to a thrombosis.<\/p>\n<h3>Does a Baker cyst disappear on its own?<\/h3>\n<p>This can happen, especially if the cause in the knee subsides. If the irritation persists, it often returns.<\/p>\n<p>In a study involving 130 people with knee osteoarthritis, the symptoms improved after three months of conservative treatment, even in people with Baker\u2019s cyst. After six months, the effect was gone (<a href=\"https:\/\/karger.com\/mpp\/article\/30\/6\/585\/825026\/Baker-s-Cyst-with-Knee-Osteoarthritis-Clinical-and\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Abate et al., 2021<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h3>May I practice sports with a Bakerzyste?<\/h3>\n<p>Most often in adapted form. Joint-gentle exercise is helpful; we discuss hard impact and rotational loads with you.<\/p>\n<h2>Date in Z\u00fcrich Wipkingen and H\u00f6ngg<\/h2>\n<p>Do you have swelling in your groin? We will examine your knee and look for the cause. <a href=\"https:\/\/tbooking.ch\/de\/book\/2047-2175\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Book appointment online<\/a> or by phone at 044 585 99 49.<\/p>\n<p><em>This article does not replace medical advice.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-12638-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-12638-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-12638-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_qt_recent_posts_block widget_post_block panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"news-posts-block\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-4 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"news-post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"news-post--image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/bakerzyste\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-15-360x180.jpg\" class=\"attachment-physio-qt-news-s size-physio-qt-news-s\" alt=\"Bent knee from the side, reddened knee joint in Baker\u2019s cyst\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(min-width: 781px) 360px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" \/> \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"news-post--content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"news-post--title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/bakerzyste\/\">Baker's cyst: Symptoms, causes, and treatment<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t                        Tension and swelling in the groin? What lies behind a Baker cyst and what can help you?\t\t\t\t\t                    <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t                \t\n\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t                    \t<a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/bakerzyste\/\" class=\"text-link\">Read more<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-4 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"news-post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"news-post--image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/kniescheibe-gebrochen\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/kniescheibe-gebrochen-physiotherapie-zuerich-360x180.jpg\" class=\"attachment-physio-qt-news-s size-physio-qt-news-s\" alt=\"Knee joint broken: Physiotherapist mobilizes the knee in the splint\" srcset=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/kniescheibe-gebrochen-physiotherapie-zuerich-360x180.jpg 360w, https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/kniescheibe-gebrochen-physiotherapie-zuerich-18x10.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 781px) 360px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" \/> \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"news-post--content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"news-post--title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/kniescheibe-gebrochen\/\">Knee joint broken: healing, rehabilitation and physiotherapy<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t                        How to recognize a knee fracture, how long the healing process takes and how physiotherapy can help your knee recover\u2026\t\t\t\t\t                    <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t                \t\n\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t                    \t<a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/kniescheibe-gebrochen\/\" class=\"text-link\">Read more<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-4 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"news-post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"news-post--image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/meniskusverletzung\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/schmerzen-im-knie-360x180.jpg\" class=\"attachment-physio-qt-news-s size-physio-qt-news-s\" alt=\"bursitis\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(min-width: 781px) 360px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" \/> \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"news-post--content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"news-post--title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/meniskusverletzung\/\">Meniscus injury: When the shock absorber in the knee fails<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t                        Meniscus injury: When the shock absorber in the knee fails A sudden pulling when turning, a crack in the knee\u2026\t\t\t\t\t                    <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t                \t\n\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t                    \t<a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/meniskusverletzung\/\" class=\"text-link\">Read more<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-4 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"news-post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"news-post--image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/laeuferknie-tractussyndrom-behandeln\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sportverletzung-knie-360x180.jpg\" class=\"attachment-physio-qt-news-s size-physio-qt-news-s\" alt=\"Runner&#039;s knee, sports accident\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(min-width: 781px) 360px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" \/> \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"news-post--content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"news-post--title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/laeuferknie-tractussyndrom-behandeln\/\">Sharp pain while jogging? How to get the runner's knee (iliotibial band syndrome) under control<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t                        The temperatures are rising, the running shoes are laced up, and the first few kilometers along the Limmat are running as if by themselves.\u2026\t\t\t\t\t                    <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t                \t\n\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t                    \t<a href=\"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/laeuferknie-tractussyndrom-behandeln\/\" class=\"text-link\">Read more<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tension and swelling in the groin? What lies behind a Baker cyst and what can help you?<\/p>","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":12692,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_mbp_gutenberg_autopost":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[73,71,1,78],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-knie","category-physiotherapie-wipkingen","category-physiotherapie-zuerich","category-was-tun"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12638"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12638\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12723,"href":"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12638\/revisions\/12723"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12692"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/physio-waidfuss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}