Arthroscopic treatment of popliteal cyst.

OBJECTIVE To review the results of arthroscopic treatment of popliteal cysts in our centre and analyse outcomes including complications. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING University teaching hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS From July 2007 to July 2009, 11 patients with symptomatic popliteal cysts were treated arthroscopically. All of them had preoperative magnetic resonance imaging to confirm the diagnosis, identify the valvular opening, and the associated intra-articular pathology. We used the Rauschning and Lindgren criteria for evaluation. RESULTS Intra-articular pathology like cartilage degeneration and meniscus tear were commonly associated with popliteal cysts. All patients achieved symptomatic improvement after treatment and the recurrence rate was low. No major complications were encountered. We failed to identify (and correct) any valvular opening in one patient. CONCLUSION From our experience, we conclude that arthroscopic treatment of popliteal cyst with correction of the valvular opening and treatment of associated intra-articular pathology is effective and safe.

[1]  Sang Hak Lee,et al.  Arthroscopic cystectomy for popliteal cysts through the posteromedial cystic portal. , 2007, Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association.

[2]  Masaaki Takahashi,et al.  Arthroscopic treatment of popliteal cyst and visualization of its cavity through the posterior portal of the knee. , 2005, Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association.

[3]  W. Rauschning,et al.  The clinical significance of the valve mechanism in communicating popliteal cysts , 2004, Archives of orthopaedic and traumatic surgery.

[4]  D. Kohn,et al.  Popliteal Cysts in Adults , 2002, The American journal of sports medicine.

[5]  V. Sansone,et al.  Arthroscopic treatment of popliteal cyst and associated intra-articular knee disorders in adults. , 1999, Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association.

[6]  J. C. Hughston,et al.  Popliteal cyst: a surgical approach. , 1991, Orthopedics.

[7]  W. Rauschning.  Popliteal cysts (Baker's cysts) in adults. II. Capsuloplasty with and without a pedicle graft. , 1980, Acta orthopaedica Scandinavica.

[8]  W. Rauschning,et al.  Popliteal cysts (Baker's cysts) in adults. I. Clinical and roentgenological results of operative excision. , 1979, Acta orthopaedica Scandinavica.

[9]  P. Lindgren.  Gastrocnemio-Semimembranosus Bursa and its Relation to the Knee Joint , 1978, Acta radiologica: diagnosis.

[10]  H. M. Childress.  Popliteal cysts associated with undiagnosed posterior lesions of the medial meniscus. The significance of age in diagnosis and treatment. , 1970, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[11]  W. Baker.  On the formation of synovial cysts in the leg in connection with disease of knee-joint , 1877 .