aetiology

Last reviewed 01/2018

Primary cysts:

  • thought to be caused by repeated small trauma of the bursa related to muscle contraction (1)

Secondary cysts:

  • meniscal tears
  • anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency
  • degenerative cartilage lesions (2)

Other rare aetiological factors causing popliteal cysts include:

  • infectious arthritis
  • polyarthritis
  • villonodular synovitis
  • some connective tissue disorders
  • osteochondritis - in children (2)

Reference: