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What Causes Large Swelling Behind Knee?

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Posted on Thu, 4 Dec 2014
Twitter Thu, 4 Dec 2014 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 29 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on
Question : I have a large swelling behind the knee that just came up two days ago.
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Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Bakers cyst.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Can you please attach a photo of it so I can give more precise answer?
Was there any knee injury?

Swelling behind the knee is usually a Bakers cyst. Due to some minor joint injury (knee) a kind of herniation appears which leads to a cyst creation. Such cyst is most likely localized behind the knee. It is soft and can be painful. Can be really large and get larger with physical activity.
The other possibilities are sebaceus cyst, varicose vein or other soft tissues formation.
In all mentioned cases the best way to find out what exactly it is, is a soft tissues ultrasound.
In case of Bakers cyst, surgical removal is necessary.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5798 Questions

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What Causes Large Swelling Behind Knee?

Brief Answer: Bakers cyst. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Can you please attach a photo of it so I can give more precise answer? Was there any knee injury? Swelling behind the knee is usually a Bakers cyst. Due to some minor joint injury (knee) a kind of herniation appears which leads to a cyst creation. Such cyst is most likely localized behind the knee. It is soft and can be painful. Can be really large and get larger with physical activity. The other possibilities are sebaceus cyst, varicose vein or other soft tissues formation. In all mentioned cases the best way to find out what exactly it is, is a soft tissues ultrasound. In case of Bakers cyst, surgical removal is necessary. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.