James,
Perhaps you got this impression because I know of no alternative "treatment" for a Baker's Cyst. All I know how to do is prevent new ones.
For surgical advice, I would certainly recommend a surgeon. A general surgeon would be the one I would go to but those who like ultra specialists might want an orthopedist. The reason I did not go into the surgical procedure (though I have assisted in a number of Baker's Cyst removals) is that the person asking had already investigated that option--at least that was MY impression.
The tone of your note says more to me than the content. Perhaps you might enlighten all of us about what you were really saying.
Walt
After knee arthroscopy I developed a Baker's cyst , and was told to ignore it and hopefully it would go away....4 months later it is the size of an egg and really bothers me in any kind of athletic activity....reading your other queries , do I assume I should relax it more.. ? That would be really difficult , as we love to do lots of exercise-type-stuff...Help.... Thanks , Elizabeth
In Reply to: Re: Bakers Cyst posted by Elizabeth on June 03, 1998 at 20:18:46:
I have been told I may have a bakers cyst what is it and what are remedies
In Reply to: Re: Bakers Cyst posted by C Haught on June 23, 1998 at 00:04:06:
Dear C.,
Since this has been discussed so many times, right here on this BB, over the past month, I hope you will save me the typing by looking throught the BB for these discussions.
THEN, if you still have questions, write again.
Briefly, a Baker's Cyst is a hernia of the synovial sack of the knee joint caused by severe body bracing (habitual muscle tension) due to the storage of chronic stress-effect (fight or flight) in the hypothalamus resulting in tension of the muscles of the effected leg.
If the doc who made the diagnosis will not explain this to you, you are going to the wrong doc. The guy that makes the money should be responsible for taking the time to explain it.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Bakers Cyst posted by Elizabeth on June 03, 1998 at 20:18:46:
Have you ever heard of Bakers Cyst occurung in a young child (3). If so what are the causes of this occurence and is it possible that if removed it can keep coming back or continue to gow. Please send me any information you may have on this topic,
Thanks You
In Reply to: Re: Bakers Cyst posted by Pattiann McAdams on June 12, 1998 at 08:31:41:
Dear Pattiann,
ALL chronic conditions have their own genetic Bell Curve. A child getting a Baker's Cyst at this age has to be right at the bottom of the Bell Curve for this condition. If you and she--later when she can make her own decisions--do not become students of the mechanisms behind this condition, she will have many more related conditions as she gets older.
This has been discussed many times on this BB, lately. To save me typing, please look them up & THEN, if you still have questions, write again.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Bakers Cyst posted by Elizabeth on June 03, 1998 at 20:18:46:
Dear Elizabeth,
You will find that you will enjoy all of your exercise a lot more if you schedule a skilled relaxation to follow (never precede) your exercise.
Talk to some professionals, you will find that it has become nearly universal with the top athletes to do this. This combination magnifies the benefits of both.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Bakers Cyst posted by Walt Stoll on June 05, 1998 at 11:41:03:
Good Evening Sir.
I am very impressed on your knowledge on this subject. I just so happens Linda likes to bake alot. But when the Dr dianosised Linda with a Baker cyst, she just laughed..how did they come up with this name. Surely I hope its not from baking to much or I would be in trouble because its all so good. Linda needs you help knowing and understanding what is a Bakers cyst and the best ways to treat this without surgery. Please email her at cookies414@aol.com
Thank you
Respectfully
Jeff Wilkening...
In Reply to: Re: Bakers Cyst posted by Linda Smieja on June 07, 1998 at 22:44:08:
Dear Linda,
No, Linda, Baker's Cyst is not from baking (grin).
I avoid sharing clinical information by email because, done privately like that, no one else will ever see the information. There are at least thousands of people out there with your same question and only one of me.
A Baker's Cyst is a hernia of the lining of the joint space caused by chronically increased pressure in the joint space. Since this increased pressure can only be caused by total body "bracing", in the end, the only thing that will prevent more from forming is to do an effective skilled relaxation technique at least twice a day for 20 minutes (not counting any done within 2 hours of retiring). This will resolve the cause within 6-12 months and will give you so many other positive benefits, at the same time, that you will bless the day you got the Baker's because it got you to learn about the healing benefits of this skill.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Bakers Cyst posted by Walt Stoll on June 09, 1998 at 09:31:40:
Dear Dr Bill
Thanks for replying back to me so quickly regarding my
bakers cyst. How do I find out how to do this exercise
called skilled relaxation tech. Thank you in advance for
getting back to me...Please send me an email..
Linda Smieja
In Reply to: Re: Bakers Cyst posted by Linda Smieja on June 09, 1998 at 23:52:47:
Dear Linda,
Go to the link Skilled Relaxation and get tha reference listed there.
This technique has been discussed many times on this BB.
Also, there is a much deeper explanation in my book (link on this page).
Walt
My doctor diagnosed a Baker's Cyst today. He recommended
heat (hot tub if available) followed by ice. Avoid stairs
and squatting to lessen trauma.
In Reply to: Re: Baker's cyst posted by MJ on June 08, 1998 at 23:38:34:
Dear MJ,
This might help for a VERY small one. However, it will do nothing about preventing the next one. The only thing yet known to prevent these is becoming a student of skilled relaxation & doing it appropriately.
Read the many notes about this condition over the past few weeks.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Baker's cyst posted by Walt Stoll on June 10, 1998 at 10:47:36:
Hi. I can't give you suggestions about how to make your son comfortable, but maybe I can give you a little reassurance. My 6 and 1/2 year old, otherwise normal, son has had a Baker's cyst for about a year. It changes in size depending on how active he is (smaller in winter). He says it does not cause pain. His pediatrician said it is rare, but harmless. It is important to get an accurate diagnosis, however, which involves x-rays to make sure there isn't something else going on in the joint.
I had total knee replacements on both knees but have recently been experiencing pain in the calf of my right leg due to what has been found on a doppler exam as a baker's cyst. My doctors have said this is impossible since I do not have a real knee joint. There is some concern it may have been there prior to knee replacement two years ago or that my arthritic condition is the cause of it but everyone seems baffled by the situation. I have searched the net looking for some information but with little success. Please advise. Thank you for your time.
In Reply to: baker's cyst posted by AnneMarie Hornyak on June 13, 1998 at 09:21:10:
Does anyone know of alternative treatment for this?
In Reply to: baker's cyst posted by AnneMarie Hornyak on June 13, 1998 at 09:21:10:
Dear AnneMarie,
It is unlikely that the surgeons who did your replacement removed ALL of the synovial tissue from the area. SO, it is not so strange that you might have a Baker's cyst since they are caused by many of the same mechanisms that led you you having the surgery in the first place.
This is a good example of the fact that "cutting the wires to the doorbell" is not usually any long term solution to chronic problems.
Likely, surgery will be necessaary to remove the cyst. I hope you will become a student of WHY you have so much trouble with your knees--even if you no longer have natural joints. Your knees are just the first place to show the damage. The same causes are damaging other parts of your body just as they did before your surgery.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: baker's cyst posted by Richard on June 15, 1998 at 00:29:23:
Dear Richard,
This has been discussed on this bb many times within the past few weeks.
Basically, I am an expert in how to prevent a recurrance. Very small ones sometimes disappear just by dealing with the causes. However, most often, once the cyst is large enough for the person to notice it, surgery is the only answer for THAT cyst.
These "hernias" of the synovial cavity of the joint are just warnings that the person has a serious problem with total body "bracing" which, if the individual doesn't get the message from that (cuts the wires to the doorbell rather than answering the door--by ONLY removing the cyst), the next thng most commonly on the list is arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: baker's cyst posted by Walt Stoll on June 17, 1998 at 08:59:29:
Dear Dr. Stoll,
Thank you for your response to my question. Since I first wrote I again had a reoccurance of severe pain in the calf and returned to my doctor. He drained some fluid from the cyst along with some blood. An MRI was ordered but was unsuccessful due to the TKR. Since the pain has subsided some we are just going to wait to see if it flares again and then he said there were two alternatives, exploratory surgery or asperate it with the assistance of a technician so it could be seen. I read the info on bracing and find it quite helpful since I have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia in addition to my rheumatoid arthritis. Thank you again for the information.
I have been diagnosed with baker's syst, at the back of my knee. I am uncertain what it is. It is quite swollen and tender. I also suffer from severe varicose veins on the same leg, with pelvic congestion syndrome. I am going for vein surgery,(stripping) is it a different type of surgean needed for the removal of a cyst such as this?
Are the two things related at all? What can I do for pain?
If you can suggest any books to read up further on my condition, I'd appreciate that alot.
I am greatful for any suggestions at all. Right now I'm wearing a tencer bandage, which is good for the swelling, yet bad for the veins.
Sherri
In Reply to: Re: baker's cyst- what is it posted by sherri melo on June 16, 1998 at 18:24:24:
Dear Sherri,
ALL of these things are either caused by, or very seriously aggravated by, total body bracing.
The Baker's Cyst is a hernia of the synovial "space" of the knee due to chronic bracing greatly increasing the pressure inside the knee joint (the same thing that ultimately aggravates arthritis).
Varicose veins are aggravated by muscle tension in the pelvis inhibiting the venous return of blood from the leg.
Pelvic congestion syndrome is caused by that same pelvic muscle tension (can eventually cause hemorrhoids and even Interstitial Cystitis). One can relieve a lot of the congestion by having at least one orgasm per day.
However, in the end, learning an effective skilled relaxation technique & practicing it at least twice a day for 20 minutes (not counting any done within 2 hours of retiring) is the only thing that will resolve all three in the long run.
Unfortunately, once the cyst & dilated veins are present, surgery may be the only thing to remove the diseased tissue. What I am talking about is preventing any recurrance.
Walt