I have a baker's cyst that I am getting tired of contending with. My Rheumatologist tells me that there is nothing that can be done about it but I am getting tired of the thing getting in the way when I do my exercises.

Today while I was searching the web for baker's cyst information I ran across this product called the OSMO Patch. There are several advertising web sites on the web for this product but I cannot find any testimonials as to if it works or not that are not attached to a product advertisement. I would like a non-bias opinion on the product.

Has anyone on the board given this product a try? If so can you offer your opinion on the product's effectiveness.

Thanks.

Don't know about OSMO patch.
However, my chiropractor advised to get an elastised knee bandage then place a folded handkerchief (1 or 2) behind the knee (underneath the bandage) to compress the Baker's cyst.
Whilst Baker's cysts are often associated with arthritis they are not really inflammatory - rather a swelling or bulging of the synovial membrane.
Try that for two weeks then reassess.

Good luck
David

I run a lot, and I have periodically had baker's cysts. I got a similar advice as David and it worked for me. Rest and ice packs also help, but rest and doing exercises do not really agree with each other.
I once was signed up to have it surgically removed because it got really big behind the right knee. That is when I got the unofficial advise to apply pressure. This made the cyst smaller within a couple of weeks and surgery was cancelled. Over two or three months it was so small that it could hardly be felt, and I believe they are now gone completely from both legs, even though I never stopped my running. I suppose the preassure helps because they basically just are fluid building up.

Not the type to turn down good advice, I have trying to apply pressure to the cyst. My biggest problem with this is the logistics of it. The only thing I have that works somewhat is a knee strap which tends to slide down and become missaligned if I walk for more than a few minutes. A knee brace would be a great idea, except being a freak of nature I have huge knees which so far I have been unable to find a knee brace that fits. My previous rheumatologist used to say that I had the largest knees she had ever seen. I talked to my rheumatologist about help finding a knee brace last week and he said they don't make knee braces my size. I sort of agree as the XL knee braces I have been seeing at the sporting good stores have all been too small. He said maybe I could find something designed to fit a football player it might work.

Well I will keep on looking.

Thanks.

since you were also scanning the internet, you probably already know the following:

sounds like while there may be nothing that can be done, on the other hand, the cyst could be drained and/or cortisone could be shot into the joint. while the cyst could come back, it's worth a try. if i were you, i'd see a knee orthopedist or someone like that. and then there is always the possibility of surgery. i'd see a knee specialist to determine what can and can not be done.

i love my rheumy for dealing with the inflammation and prevention aspect of the disease. but love the other doctors and health care providers (orthopedists, physiatrists, interventionalists, pain docs, PTs, chiros) for taking care of the musculoskeletal symptoms that arise. yes, due to the arthritis, but still, things like tendons, ligaments, etc all get treated the same way when they become a problem.

was reading too: RICE: rest, ice, compression, elevation. have you been icing it. while not a cure, i've found ice to really get me through some tough spots.

Cortisone injections in the knee have been ineffective so far. I just had a Kenalog injection a couple of weeks ago and it didn't do squat. I don't know if the doses are too low or if I have just become cortisone resistant from over 30+ years of exposure.

I have read about RICE as well. I tire of it though as I would like to be more active. The knee has gotten worse lately because I have upped the intensity of my exercise trying to make up for lost strength and endurance from a couple of years of RICE.

I haven't tried an orthopedist. I guess I would have expected my rheumatologist to recommend one. I don't know if the rheumatologist is interested enough in the problem to do so.

That gives me something to think about any way.

Thanks.

Hi Hollingsworth,
I burst bakers cyst in my right knee while exercising on cross trainer in 2010. At that time I was not aware that I had AS. I always had elastic trap around my knee. It helped. RICE also helps but temporarily only. The most effective and long lasting solution for me was static cycling for 20 minutes every day followed by legs stretches. It took 3-4 months to see results but it worked. However, I had to cycle every-day or feel pain in my knee. From last four weeks I’m on LSD and now I cycle every 2 days. My knee has very little swelling and feels much better. Now I could use stairs (and walk with my husband at his speed) with little caution.
Cheers
Anu