I can be OCD at times

Oh mercy. Sometimes I love in Internet, sometimes I don’t. I got to searching the knee a little bit, and low and behold, there is not a muscle right there! What! No muscle, then what the heck is going on!?

I’m not sayin‘ this is actually the problem, but, I’m wondering….hmmm…..

Why does this stuff happen to me? I’m not even sayin‘ that’s what’s going on, but people, the back of the right knee “seems” a little different. No pain. No problems. Just, well, different. Pastor JT thinks it’s hereditary and says I have my mom’s legs. Basically, he said it was more likely a fat pocket. nice.

Anyway, just in case this is what I found…

Baker’s cyst.

What? You ask. Me too.

Here’s the definition:

A Baker’s cyst is a condition in which you experience a bulge and a feeling of tightness behind your knee. The pain gets worse when you fully extend your knee or when you’re active.



A Baker’s cyst, also called a popliteal cyst, is usually the result of a problem with your knee joint, such as arthritis or a cartilage tear. Both conditions can cause your knee to produce too much fluid, which can lead to a Baker’s cyst. Up to one in five people with other knee problems may develop a Baker’s cyst.



Although a Baker’s cyst may cause swelling and make you uncomfortable, treating the probable underlying problem usually provides relief. (emphasis most certainly mine)

So, I’m going to keep exercising and see what happens. I’ve always though I had weird looking back-knees, but now they are showing something slightly diff. Again, not crazy huge, no pain, just well, bulbous.

Here are some possible causes:

A door hinge needs oil to swing smoothly, to reduce the friction between its moving parts and to minimize wear and tear. Similarly, the cartilage and tendons in your knees rely on a lubricating fluid called synovial (si-NO-vee-ul) fluid. This fluid helps your legs swing smoothly and reduces friction between the moving parts of your knees.

Synovial fluid circulates throughout your knee and passes in and out of various tissue pouches (bursae) throughout your knee. A valve-like system exists between your knee joint and the bursa on the back of your knee (popliteal bursa). This regulates the amount of synovial fluid going in and out of the bursa.

But sometimes the knee produces too much synovial fluid. Most commonly this is caused by an inflammation of the knee joint, such as occurs with various types of arthritis. A knee injury, especially a cartilage tear, also is a common cause of Baker’s cyst.

When the popliteal bursa fills with fluid and expands, the result is a bulge called a Baker’s cyst. In texture, it’s similar to a balloon filled with water. Totally.

Here is a picture, although mine is not NEAR that big. In fact, you might not even see it. Maybe I’m a bit over the top here, but hey, you can’t say I wasn’t cautious!


Seriously, can’t I just exercise without weird stuff happening!

Pilates? Can’t do all the stuff, bad tailbone.

High Jump? No way.

Swimming? No one wants to see me in a suit.

Archery? Maybe.

Running? Oh, I’m sorry, I can’t. I have a BAKER’S CYST!

I’m a self-diagnosis kind of person so maybe a trip to my friendly, neighborhood doctor is in order. I need blood work done anyway.

“Dr.?”

“Yes.”

“I need my thyroid checked.”

“Okay, no problem.”

“Oh, and could you look at the back of my knees?”

“Ummm, okay?”

People, that’s just a weird conversation! I’ll keep an eye on my knees and let you know what happens. In fact, after I exercise I’ll see if anything changes. I will really have to GERR something if this turns out to be the real deal.

PRAY it’s not! Maybe fish oil will help lubricate so that my synovial fluid won’t have to overwork itself and end up overcrowding the back of my knee. Hmm, fish oil.

Oh, and thank you to MayoClinic.com for all your support.