Arthroscopic therapy of Baker's cyst

Arthroscopic therapy of Baker's cysts contains repair of all intraarticular lesions and sealing of the junction between Baker's cyst and the dorsal recessus of the knee joint. All therapeutic steps can be sufficiently done throughout the ventral standard approaches. 18 patients have been treated by this technique between 1992 and 1994. 14 of them were examined after an average of 27 months. In all patients one or more lesions were detected arthroscopically. (12 cartilage-damages, 10 synovialities, 9 meniscal tears, 2 ruptures of the a.c.l.). Cyst recurrence was found arthrosonographically in three cases. These results are comparable to that reported after open cyst extirpation. In our patients we did not see any intra- or postoperative complications. Therefore we consider the arthroscopic therapy of Baker's cyst to be a more comfortable alternative to open extirpation.