Common knee concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Baker's Cyst
A fluid-filled swelling behind the knee
A Baker's cyst is a fluid-filled swelling behind the knee, usually caused by an underlying knee problem like a meniscus tear or arthritis pushing joint fluid into the back of the joint. Same-day or next-day evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
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Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
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What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- A Baker's cyst is one of many knee conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Many Baker's cysts improve without surgery once the underlying knee problem is treated: activity changes, anti-inflammatory medication, drainage or a steroid injection when needed, and PT with your in-network provider.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is a Baker's cyst?
A Baker's cyst is a fluid-filled swelling behind the knee, usually caused by an underlying knee problem like a meniscus tear or arthritis pushing joint fluid into the back of the joint. Symptoms can develop gradually or after a specific injury, so early evaluation matters when function starts to decline.
A Baker's cyst is usually a sign of another problem inside the knee, so treatment focuses on the cause. Most patients improve with conservative care: activity modification, ice and compression, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and sometimes drainage of the cyst with a steroid injection. Because a cyst often returns if the underlying arthritis or meniscus tear is not addressed, surgery, when it is needed, is usually aimed at that problem rather than at the cyst itself.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose a Baker's cyst, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Baker's Cyst
This bulge, also called a "popliteal cyst," forms behind the knee. It's a swollen bursa. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that helps reduce friction between soft tissues and bones. There are several of these sacs in the knee and in other joints. A swollen bursa can be uncomfortable, or even painful.
Inside the knee.
The knee is the body's largest hinge joint: it bears your weight, absorbs impact, and lets you walk, run, and pivot. Cartilage and meniscus cushion the joint, while ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL) keep it stable. Most knee problems come from wear of those cushioning surfaces or from twisting injuries that damage a ligament or meniscus.
Symptoms and causes of a Baker's cyst
Common symptoms
- A bulge or tightness behind the knee
- Stiffness, especially when fully extending or bending
- Pain that worsens with activity
- Sudden calf pain or swelling if the cyst ruptures
Common causes
- Knee arthritis
- Meniscus tear or cartilage damage
- Inflammatory joint disease
- Old knee injury that produces excess fluid
How we diagnose a Baker's cyst
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for a Baker's cyst typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the knee: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat a Baker's cyst at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Observation: small cysts often shrink once the knee settles down
- Ice, compression, and activity modification for swelling
- Anti-inflammatory medication when appropriate
- Physical therapy to restore knee motion and strength
- Ultrasound-guided drainage of the cyst, often with a steroid injection
- Treatment of the underlying knee problem, such as arthritis or a meniscus tear
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Surgery is usually aimed at the knee problem that is causing the cyst, not at the cyst itself.
- Knee arthroscopy to treat the problem inside the joint that is feeding the cyst
- Meniscus repair or partial meniscectomy when a torn meniscus is the cause
- Removal of the cyst for large or persistent cysts, which is rarely needed
- Partial or total knee replacement when advanced arthritis is the cause
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Knee care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our knee specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a knee specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a knee specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the knee that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantGo to the emergency room for sudden calf pain, swelling, warmth, or redness. A ruptured Baker's cyst and a blood clot in the leg can look alike, and a blood clot needs emergency treatment. Call 911 if you also have chest pain or shortness of breath. Seek urgent evaluation for fever or any other sign of infection.
Your knee recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the knee, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the knee.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Knee considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the knee. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our knee doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our knee specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Meet your knee specialists.
Compare up to 34 providers
Accepting new patients
Hayk Stepanyan, MD
Total Joint & Sports Medicine
- Glendale
- Santa Fe Springs
- East Los Angeles
Care for a Baker's cyst starts here
Don't let a Baker's cyst be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a knee specialist in Los Angeles.
Common Baker's cyst questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays are usually done in-office; MRI or ultrasound is ordered when soft-tissue detail is needed. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a knee specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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