To determine the prevalence of Baker cyst in a general orthopedic population and its association with effusion, internal derangement, and degenerative arthropathy.
Reports of 400 knee magnetic resonance imaging examinations were reviewed. Presence of Baker cyst, effusion, internal derangement (meniscal and/or anterior cruciate ligament tears), medial collateral ligament injury, and degenerative arthropathy was recorded. Uni- and multivariate logistic regressions were used to evaluate associations between Baker cyst and these conditions. Probabilities of having a Baker cyst given these conditions were also calculated.
No association was found between Baker cyst and anterior cruciate ligament tear or medial collateral ligament injury. There were significant associations (P < .001) with effusion, meniscal tear, and degenerative arthropathy. There were also significant associations (P < .01) for effusion, meniscal tear, and degenerative arthropathy, independent of one another. Probability of having Baker cyst given the presence of any one variable was .08-.10; any two variables, .19-.21; and all three variables, .38.
The association between Baker cyst and joint effusion was confirmed. A relationship with meniscal tear and degenerative joint disease independent of effusion was also demonstrated. The probability of having a Baker cyst increases as the number of these associated conditions increases.