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Post-Total Knee Replacement Persistent Bilateral Popliteal Cysts Requiring Surgical Excision: A Literature-Based
Mineth Heenkende1, Yushy Zhou2, James D Stoney3
1School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia, deakin.edu.au.
Case Reports in Orthopedics
|May 21, 2026
Summary
Persistent Baker's cysts (BCs) after total knee replacement (TKR) are rare. This case highlights that complex BCs may require surgical excision for symptom relief, even after TKR.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Background:
- Baker's cysts (BCs) are common, often associated with knee osteoarthritis.
- Symptomatic BCs typically resolve with conservative management or treatment of underlying knee pathology.
- Surgical intervention for BCs is infrequent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of persistent symptomatic Baker's cyst following total knee replacement (TKR).
- To discuss the management of complex Baker's cysts that do not resolve after TKR.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with bilateral osteoarthritis and complex Baker's cysts.
- Description of surgical management including total knee replacement and subsequent Baker's cyst excision.
Main Results:
- The patient experienced persistent, symptomatic Baker's cysts after each total knee replacement, performed 10 years apart.
- Conservative management failed to resolve the cysts post-TKR.
- Surgical excision of the Baker's cysts was ultimately required for symptom resolution in both knees.
Conclusions:
- Complex Baker's cysts with features like septations and thickened walls may not resolve spontaneously after total knee replacement.
- In rare instances, surgical excision of Baker's cysts may be necessary for complete symptom relief following TKR.
