{"id":7170,"date":"2019-06-06T06:02:38","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T06:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=7170"},"modified":"2021-11-09T16:06:16","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T16:06:16","slug":"14-home-remedies-to-relieve-popliteal-cyst-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-home-remedies-to-relieve-popliteal-cyst-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Home Remedies to Relieve Popliteal Cyst Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Also known as a Baker’s cyst, popliteal cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form in the space behind the knee. In most cases, these cysts do not cause significant amounts of pain, and the patient may notice a feeling of tightness behind the knee when they hyperextend the joint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baker’s cysts occur due to the knee experiencing trauma. This trauma may be from an athletic injury <\/a>or joint-related distress from degenerative bone diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The size of the Baker’s cyst depends on the extent of the injury. However, most cases of injury which result in the formation of a Baker’s cysts are generally mild. The cyst appears as a bulge in the back of the knee, and may only be visible when the patient extends the lower limb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors treat Baker’s cysts with OTC medications to manage the symptoms of discomfort and inflammation associated with the condition. However, it’s possible to treat your symptoms using home remedies. Here are eight solutions you can use as an alternative to medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Rest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Doctors state that one of the most underutilized tools for healing any knee injury \u2013 is rest. Many orthopedic surgeons find that their patients fail to receive the adequate amount of rest needed to allow the knee joint to heal after the injury. However, many patients find that they cannot take the downtime and let the joint heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the patient often increases the size of the cyst and the duration of their condition. While there are medications <\/a>that can assist with the reduction in swelling, only resting the joint will provide a lasting solution and help you recover from your injury faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rest as much as you can, and avoid walking if possible. If you have to walk a far distance, consider taking the car, or have the person come to you. Rely on your support structure and let your friends and family help you out around the home and the office. The more you rest, the faster you’ll recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Ice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When people experience injury, they are often inclined to reach for the medicine cabinet and pop a pill to ease their symptoms<\/a>. However, there’s plenty of research backing up the efficacy of home remedies for treating the symptoms of inflammation and discomfort associated with a Baker’s cyst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ice is one of the most underrated remedies for soothing the effects of inflammation and pain associated with an injury. Immediately after injuring your knee, ice it with an icepack for 5-minutes on and 5-minutes off. This icing strategy allows you to gain the maximum benefit from the cold therapy, without sending your tissues into shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember to wrap the ice pack in a dish towel before applying it to your skin. Touching your skin with a bare icepack may result in a freezer-burn to your skin. If you don’t have icepacks available at home, use a bag of frozen peas instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Compression and Elevation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Immediately after experiencing any knee injury, the patient should sit down and elevate their knee above their waistline. This strategy helps to reduce localized swelling in the affected area and reduces the chances of developing edema that spreads further down the lower limbs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By elevating the affected leg, you reduce the blood pressure<\/a> and strain on the joint, prevent excessive swelling. After icing the joint for an hour, it’s an excellent strategy to slip on a compression sleeve designed for the knee joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The compression sleeve helps to improve blood flow in the area, allowing oxygenated blood to help heal the torn or sprained ligament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wear the compression sleeve throughout the day, and take it off at night when you go to sleep. There is no need to wear the compression sleeve at night, as your body is not a pressurized system. Wear the brace for as long as it is necessary for you to regain strength in the affected joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Turmeric and Curcumin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Turmeric<\/a>, also known as Indian Saffron, has potent anti-inflammatory properties. The bright-yellow spice can assist in reducing the quality of inflammatory cytokines circulating in the bloodstream. This fact makes turmeric an excellent home remedy for dealing with the inflammatory effects of a knee injury and the development of a Baker’s cyst. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The polyphenol antioxidants found in turmeric, help to reduce inflammation in the body, due to the presence of a compound known as “curcumin.” Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric that gives it anti-inflammatory properties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the curcumin in turmeric is in such low quantities, that it has minimal effect on reducing the symptoms of swelling and inflammation. Therefore, we advise you to purchase a curcumin supplement. Most supplements come blended with piperine. Piperine is black pepper extract, and when combined with curcumin, increases the bioavailability of the compound in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Epsom Salt Soak<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As an age-old remedy trusted by generations for its therapeutic value, Epsom salts are excellent for drawing subcutaneous fluid from tissues. Many athletes rely on Epson salts to remove water from their muscles <\/a>in the week leading up to a weigh-in for a sporting event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use this principle to your advantage, even if you don’t play sports. Take two tablespoons of Epsom salts, and add a few drops of water until the powder starts to form a paste. The mixture should fizz a bit, but it will eventually settle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use the paste to cover the area behind the knee affected by the cyst. Apply gauze to the top of the Epsom salts paste and secure with tape. The magnesium in the Epsom salts draws the fluid from the sac to the surface of the skin where it dissipates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have edema due to the inflammation spreading further down the limb, add a few cups of Epsom salts to your bath water for the same effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Apple Cider Vinegar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ACV<\/a> is one of the best all-around natural healing tonics available. The live beneficial bacteria and enzymes found in apple cider vinegar give it potent anti-inflammatory properties that make it ideal for reducing the effects of Baker’s cyst. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a few cotton balls and soak them in ACV. Wring the excess moisture from the cotton until it is damp, but not saturated enough to run. Place the cotton ball over the cyst and cover it with a bandage. Leave the ACV to absorb into your skin, for 15 to 20-minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repeat this treatment two to three times a day. You’ll experience some relief after a week of using this remedy consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always ensure that you purchase raw, unfiltered ACV. The filtering process removes the beneficial bacteria that give the tonic its therapeutic value. You can find apple cider vinegar from almost any online health retailer, but make sure you read the label before you buy it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Drink Ginger and Green Tea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Herbal teas are an excellent home remedy for solving a variety of ailments. For millennia, natural healers brought the benefits of drinking herbal tea to their patients. There are herbal teas that soothe digestive issues and others that provide a nervine action that calms the nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking green tea<\/a> steeped in alkaline water with freshly grated ginger may sound delicious, but it’s also a potent anti-inflammatory tonic. The polyphenols found in green tea are known as “catechins.” These polyphenol antioxidants have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on the digestive system, reducing systemic inflammation that increases the size of a Baker’s cyst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ginger also contains “gingerols,” antioxidant polyphenols that also have potent anti-inflammatory effects. Drink the tea as often as you like throughout the day. Use the tea leaves and ginger leftovers to make a compress that you can apply to the affected area. Leave the compress covered with a bandage for an hour before removing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Stretches and Mobility Drills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you suffer a grade-1 or grade-2 ligament injury, the chances are that your doctor will suggest you go home and rest to reduce the swelling. Depending on the extent of the damage, your doctor will prescribe medications such as anti-inflammatory to reduce the swelling<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the patient has a mild injury, doctors recommend that patients start stretching the joint as soon as possible using mobility drills. Failing to rehabilitate the joint may delay the healing process, and lead to the development of posture imbalances. Developing an imbalance may put the patient at further risk of injuring another joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stretch the joint when the inflammation subsides. Start with a few minutes in the morning, and a few minutes in the evening. Ask your doctor for a list of exercises and stretches, and speak to a physiotherapist if you experience any pain during your rehabilitation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that many people with Baker’s cysts also have weak hamstrings. Strengthening this part of the legs may help prevent the occurrence of cysts in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Medical Interventions – Corticosteroids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes home remedies aren’t enough to manage the symptoms of pain and inflammation associated with a bakers’ cyst. If you’re struggling with a large cyst that won’t break down and dissolve, you might need medical intervention to assist you with solving the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, if you’re dealing with a cyst that is around for longer than weeks, you have a problem and require medical evaluation of the baker’s cyst. If your doctor feels your recovery needs pharmaceutical assistance, they’ll give you a corticosteroid shot directly into the cyst. The corticosteroids have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect that breaks up the cyst, causing it to subside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cortisol<\/a>, the primary hormone involved in corticosteroid treatments, helps stop the immune system from producing inflammatory cytokines that feed the cyst. Most people feel immediate relief after the shot and steady improvement in their symptoms in the coming days. Some individuals might need a second shot five to seven days later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Medical Interventions \u2013 Aspiration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When home remedies fail, it’s time to see the doctor. Doctors deal with baker’s cysts all the time, and many of them, especially sports doctors, have plenty of experience in dealing with baker’s cysts that get out of hand. If you’re dealing with a severe cyst, look for a sports doctor near you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your doctor will examine your knee, asking you questions to determine how you got the injury causing the cyst. They look at the incident and your history of injury or surgery to your knee. If you have a history of baker’s cysts, and it seems like your cysts are getting more severe, the doctor might initiate the corticosteroid <\/a>treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some baker’s cysts are so large that they require draining before receiving an injection. Your doctor will aspirate the cyst in a straightforward operation to remove the fluid. Typically, the procedure is successful for most patients, and it makes treatment and recovery much easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Medical Interventions \u2013 Surgery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When all else fails with your home remedies, corticosteroids, and draining the cyst, you have the option of going for surgery<\/a>. Sometimes, the cyst may start to calcify, and that can cause a huge problem in the affected individual. If the doctor feels that’s the case and isn’t responding to any other treatments, they may decide to remove the cyst through surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, most baker’s cysts don’t end up with the patient on the operating table. Provided you have youth on your side, and you take the time to recover using the treatment ideas outlined in this post \u2013 you should come out of the experience with a healthy knee joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, doctors end up operating in older patients who have a hard time dealing with the baker’s cyst’s effects. As it reduces mobility in the joint, the doctor has to take action, or the patient risks permanent changes to the knee joint’s mobility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Diagnosing Baker’s Cyst<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you think you have a baker’s cyst, the first step in your recovery is to visit your doctor’s office for a consultation. During the consultation, the doctor asks you questions about your medical history and your injury circumstances. They’ll look for the mechanics behind the injury and how much damage you think you did to the joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some individuals with a history of severe <\/a>knee injuries can experience the onset of a baker’s cyst from a mild distention or extension of the joint. The only way to know the extent of the problem is to visit your doctor for advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the consultation, the doctor will conduct a physical exam, and they might send you for an ultrasound or MRI scan if they feel there might be something wrong with the cartilage or ligaments in your knee. After analyzing your results, your doctor makes the recommended treatment depending on the severity of your condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Complications of Baker’s Cyst<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Typically, a baker’s cyst is harmless, and it doesn’t cause much discomfort to the affected individual. Provided they get enough rest, the baker’s cyst will resolve itself in a week or two. Severe baker’s cysts might require icing and compression to help alleviate symptoms of discomfort and pain associated with the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, most baker’s cysts, regardless of the size, do end up getting better without the need for medical intervention. If you’re trying all the home remedies in this post, and nothing seems to work, consult with your doctor. If your baker’s cyst is older than 3-weeks, then you could be dealing with a complication of your condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, the cyst might split, causing leakage of the fluid into the knee joint. An impact to the joint or a sudden flexion of the knee from a keeled to a standing position might cause the cyst to rupture. If that situation occurs, the affected individual notices a surge in pain and massive swelling in the knee joint. The area might become warm to the touch, and you’ll notice a change in the skin <\/a>color from bruising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. How Do I Prevent Baker’s Cyst?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To prevent a baker’s cyst, you need to examine the activities you’re doing that lead to the problem’s development. For example, if you’re a skateboarder and frequently experience <\/a>knee issues, wear supports or pads on your knees to prevent injury to the joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preventing knee injuries is the best way to ensure you don’t have to deal with baker’s cysts popping up. If you experience a baker’s cyst, note the treatments in this post that work for you. Chances are it’s not going to be the last one you get during your lifetime, and it’s good to know effective treatments you can rely on for relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wear footwear that fits and make sure you have enough traction on any surface to prevent slips. Pay attention to your balance, and avoid making sudden, sharp turns while moving forward. Avoiding these practices ensures you never put the joint at risk of damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>