Baker’s Cyst : Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment by Ayurveda

Abstract

The Knee joint is the strongest and largest joint in the human body. The joint is composed of the femur, the tibia’s upper end, and the patella’s kneecap. A special fluid is called synovial fluid which is filled in the knee joint to help manage the friction of joints. Hence synovial fluid acts as a lubricant. In the middle of the 19th century, Dr. Morrant Baker said that such cysts resulted from fluid flowing out from a damaged knee joint. When structures in or around the joint are damaged there is extra fluid production from the knee and a one-way flow of that fluid is associated. That fluid leads to the formation of cysts. In Baker’s disease, there is a filling of synovial fluid in the knee and back. In this article, we will discuss baker’s cyst and its ayurvedic aspects in detail.

Introduction

Baker’s cysts are fluid-filled lumps or sacs that form behind the knee. Baker’s cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst or synovial cyst, is a soft, fluid-filled lump that forms on the back of your knee. This is a growth that can be seen as a bulge and associated tightness. Baker’s cyst sometimes can cause pain. This associated pain may increase with the increase in movement.

Causes

A Baker cyst is caused by swelling in the knee. The swelling occurs due to an increase in synovial fluid. This fluid lubricates the knee joint. When pressure builds up, fluid squeezes into the back of the knee.

Baker Cyst Commonly Occurs With

1. A tear in the meniscal cartilage of the knee
2. Cartilage injuries
3. Knee arthritis (in older adults)
4. Rheumatoid arthritis
5. Other knee problems that cause knee swelling and synovitis

Symptoms of a Baker’s Cyst may include

1. A fluid-filled lump behind the knee
2. Pain.
3. Stiffness of your knee
4. Limited range of motion and ability to bend your knee
5. Swelling of your knee and/or leg
6. A feeling of fullness or a lump behind the knee
7. Knee pain
8. Stiffness or tightness at the back of the knee
9. Swelling in your knee and lower leg

Ayurvedic Correlation of Baker’s Cyst

According to the Ayurvedic concepts Baker’s cyst is an association of ama (toxins) in the gut, leading to aggravation of Vata dosha. One of the locations of Vata is sandhi (joints), thus aggravated vata dosha in sandhis (joints) leads to obstruction of the Kapha. Accumulation of vata-associated Kapha in the joint area is a baker’s cyst. Vata is associated with its ‘Chal guna’ (property of movement); the vitiation of Vata dosha leads to stiffness of joints as well. The Ayurvedic herbs help to pacify the aggravated doshas. The herbs which can be used to manage the condition are Varuna, Dalchini, Tejpatra, Trikatu, and Triphala. These herbs are used in various formulations of Planet Ayurveda to help mankind to manage the conditions of Baker’s cyst.

Herbal Remedies for Baker’s Cyst by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a GMP-certified hub for the manufacturing of herbal medicines for the betterment of humanity and to promote Ayurveda in each and every household. The herbal formulations are based on the classical Principles of Ayurveda. Following are the herbal remedies for the problem of Baker’s cyst.

1. Kanchnaar Guggul
2. Boswellia Curcumin
3. Vriddhivadhika Vati
4. Graviola Capsules
5. Shilajit Capsules
6. Ashwagandha Capsules

Brief Description

1. Kanchnaar Guggul

The chief ingredients of Kanchnar guggul are Kachnar Bark (Bauhinia variegata), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), and many more. Kanchnaar guggul is used to manage the condition of Baker’s cyst due to its cyst-resolving properties. Kanchnaar guggul pacifies the swellings by draining out or drying the excess Kapha.

Dosage– 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Boswellia Curcumin

Boswellia Curcumin is a herbal formulation having Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Curcumin (Haridra) as a chief ingredient. Boswellia is a well-known anti-inflammatory herb. Also, Boswellia acts as a natural painkiller and helps to prevent the loss of cartilage. This herbal remedy is beneficial in patients with Baker’s cysts to resolve the swelling and pain associated with inflammation.

Dosage – 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

3. Vriddhivadhika Vati

This formulation includes Shuddha Parad (Purified Mercury), Shuddha gandhak (Purified Sulphur), Loha bhasma (Iron calx), Vanga bhasma (Tin calx), Tamra bhasma (Copper calx), Kansya bhasma (Bronze calx), Shuddha hartal (Purified arsenic), Shuddha tutha (Purified copper sulfate), Shankh bhasma (Pearl calx), Varatika bhasma (Corrie shells bhasma), Trikatu churna (Powder of Piper nigrum, Piper longum, and Zingiber officinale), Triphala churna (Powder of three myrobalans), Chavya churna (Powder of Piper Chava) and many more. As the name indicates Vriddhivadhika vati is helpful to check the status of growths in the body. It is also helpful to reduce the cyst present in the Popliteal area associated with Baker’s cyst.

Dosage– 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals

4. Graviola Capsul

The Graviola capsule is the polyherbal formulation of Planet Ayurveda. The chief ingredient of this capsule is Graviola (Annona muricata). Graviola capsules are helpful to manage the conditions associated with cysts or any formation. Graviola capsules have anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant properties.

Dosage– 1 cap twice daily with plain water after meals.

5. Shilajit Capsules

Shilajit Cap is a single herb capsule loaded with pure shilajit extract. Shilajit Asphaltum is a potent immunity booster and strength enhancer. It helps to overcome the weakness and low strengthen knee joints associated with Baker’s cyst. Shilajit acts as an immunomodulator, hormonal balancer, and Vata shamak.

Dosage– 1 cap twice daily with plain water after meals.

6. Ashwagandha Capsules

Ashwagandha cap is loaded with a standard extract of ashwagandha. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a well-known herb to increase overall health. It acts as an immunity booster and enhances energy levels. Ashwagandha helps to strengthen the joints and hence may prevent the leakage of synovial fluid into the popliteal area. Thus it helps to improve the conditions of Baker’s cyst.

Dosage – 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

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Conclusion

In this article, we discussed Baker’s disease. Baker’s cyst is a condition that may be caused due to joint deformities. We have also discussed its ayurvedic aspect as well. Also, herbal remedies of Planet Ayurveda help to manage the condition of Baker’s cyst. The remedies are best, authentic, and result oriented. The main reason which leads to baker’s cyst is synovial fluid accumulation which causes friction in the bones of affected joints and causes symptoms like pain, loss of flexibility, stiffness, swelling, etc. these herbs work on managing the Kapha and vitiated Vata dosha.