Popliteal/Baker's Cyst removal and post op physio

Hello,

I am a very active 29 year old. I have had 2 knee arthroscopies over the last 5 years, one investigative and one to remove my medial plica. After my last surgery I wasn't seen by a physiotherapist, as my surgery ran late and they had gone home. Therefore wasn't given any exercises to complete and it took me longer than I'd hoped to recover.

Since the original injury 5 years ago I have had a large baker's cyst in the back of my knee that causes me pain in the knee/leg, numbness and pins and needles in the foot. I have had it aspirated twice and it has returned both times so it is now being removed.

I am a little concerned regarding my recovery for two reasons. 1 - I get the impression that this is not a surgery that is done very often over here (is this true?) and 2 - I don't want the same thing to happen with regards to not knowing what exercise I can do.

The consultant has advised that I have to be very careful with my leg to try and make sure that the fluid doesn't try and force its way into making another cyst. But I also want to get back on my feet as soon as possible.

Has anyone got any experience with this? Is doing the correct exercises straight away going to help move the fluid away from my knee or potentially cause it to come back?

If anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it! :)

Really it depends on what is causing the 'cyst'. The term 'cyst' in a Baker's cyst is a misnomer as usually it is not a cyst. If is is caused by irritation to the posterior meniscus then providing the reason for that irritation is sorted then your recover should not be complicated at all. Generally these don't need operating and this is why it is not common. As yours is persistent someone is going in to sort it out. Look to the surgeon to tell you what he found during surgery as until we know that we can really advise you on the process thereafter. Generally I would expect a full recovery.

Thank you for the reply! I've had the cyst removed. The surgeon said that they think they got it all and that it wasn't attached to the knee joint (I'm not totally sure what that means but he sounded pleased).

I've been told that I need to keep a leg brace on for two weeks. The physiotherapist told me to just tense my thigh muscles by pulling my toes towards me and trying to push my knee downwards. Is this the only thing i can do because of the stitches on the back of my knee joint?

Thanks again.