How is a Baker’s cyst diagnosed?

How is a Baker’s cyst diagnosed?

You need a professional medical exam to diagnose a Baker’s cyst. During your appointment, your healthcare provider may do several tests to both confirm the Baker’s cyst and figure out what might be causing it, including:

• Taking a medical history: Your healthcare provider will ask you about any previous injuries you may have had to your knee and go over your entire medical history.
• X-ray: This test won’t necessarily show the Baker’s cyst itself, but it can be used to see if you have arthritis in your knee. Arthritis is one of the possible causes of a Baker’s cyst.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans: An MRI uses magnetic waves instead of X-rays to show detailed images inside the body. This test can give your provider even more information about what might be causing the Baker’s cyst.
• Ultrasound: A simple and painless test, an ultrasound uses sound waves to determine if the lump is solid or fluid.