Non-Surgical Relief for Knee Bursitis and Baker’s Cysts in Pittsburgh

Regenexx PRP & Bone Marrow Concentrate for Knee Swelling and Inflammation

Find Out If You're a Candidate
Download Free Knee Pain Treatment Guide

Persistent Swelling or Pressure Behind the Knee?

If you’ve drained a Baker’s cyst multiple times or struggle with knee bursitis that won’t go away, it’s time to look deeper. At Regenexx Pittsburgh, we treat the cause of the fluid buildup, not just the symptoms. Our advanced PRP and bone marrow concentrate (BMC) procedures are image-guided and non-surgical, designed to reduce inflammation, support tissue repair, and prevent recurrence.

Avoid surgery and repeat cortisone injections

Treat the inflammation triggering fluid buildup

Faster recovery with long-term relief

What Are Knee Bursitis and Baker’s Cysts?

Bursitis occurs when a bursa—a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction—becomes inflamed. Common types around the knee include:

  • Prepatellar Bursitis (front of the kneecap)
  • Pes Anserine Bursitis (inner lower knee)

A Baker’s Cyst (popliteal cyst) is a bulge behind the knee caused by joint fluid leaking into the tissue, often due to:

  • Arthritis
  • Meniscal tears
  • Ligament instability

These are symptoms of deeper joint dysfunction, not isolated issues. That’s why draining or injecting them repeatedly doesn’t fix the problem.

Causes & Risk Factors

  • Underlying joint inflammation (e.g., osteoarthritis)
  • Knee instability or ligament damage
  • Repetitive kneeling or overuse
  • Meniscus tears or cartilage wear
  • Previous knee surgery
  • Age-related degeneration

Common Symptoms

Shared symptoms of bursitis and Baker’s cysts include:

  • Swelling around or behind the knee
  • Pain with kneeling, squatting, or bending
  • Pressure or tightness behind the knee
  • Limited range of motion
  • Recurrent flare-ups or fluid accumulation

Where Standard Treatments Fall Short

Many traditional treatments fail to address the root cause of inflammation.

Treatment Goal Invasiveness Recurrence Risk Long-Term Benefit
Fluid Aspiration
Temporarily relieve pressure
Minimally invasive
High
Low
Cortisone Injection
Suppress inflammation
Minimally invasive
High with repeats
Low
Surgery
Remove cyst or bursa
Invasive
Moderate
Variable
Regenexx PRP/BMC
Treat root inflammation
Minimally invasive
Low
High

The Regenexx Approach to Knee Bursitis & Cysts

We don’t just treat fluid buildup—we treat the reason your body creates it.

01

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

  • Concentrated platelets from your own blood
  • Anti-inflammatory and regenerative
  • Injected into irritated tissues around the joint

02

Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC)

  • Contains progenitor cells + growth factors
  • Ideal for complex, chronic inflammation
  • Used for cases involving arthritis or instability

03

Image-Guided Precision

Ultrasound or fluoroscopy ensures injections target the true source, not just the swelling.

What to Expect

Diagnostic Evaluation
Our board-certified specialists (e.g., Dr. Jesse Sally, MD, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) will examine your knee and review ultrasound/MRI to confirm the source of swelling.
If a cyst or bursa is swollen, it may be aspirated to relieve pressure before your procedure.
PRP or BMC is delivered under real-time imaging into the joint or inflamed bursa.
Most patients resume light activity within 2–4 days. You’ll receive specific guidelines, movement precautions, and suggested physical therapy support.

Are You a Candidate?

You may be a good fit for Regenexx if:

  • You’ve had multiple cyst drainages with no long-term relief
  • You’ve tried cortisone or PT without success
  • Your swelling is linked to meniscus or arthritis damage
  • You want to avoid surgery and heal naturally
Find Out If You're a Candidate
Download Free Knee Pain Treatment Guide

Patient Success Stories

I had a Baker’s cyst drained three times in one year. Regenexx treated the inflammation inside my knee, and the swelling finally stopped.

— Verified Regenexx Patient, Pittsburgh, Age 59

I couldn’t kneel to garden or bend my knee without pain. The PRP injection helped within weeks, and it hasn’t come back since.

— Verified Regenexx Patient, Wexford, Age 67

See More Stories

Why Regenexx Pittsburgh?

Physicians board-certified in PM&R and sports medicine

Over 100,000 Regenexx procedures performed nationwide

In-office, image-guided treatments for pinpoint accuracy

Diagnostic rigor before treatment recommendation

Diagnostic rigor before treatment recommendation

Facility adheres to Regenexx protocols and safety standards

Find Out If You’re a Candidate

Call Our Office

(412) 963-6480

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Baker’s cyst keep returning?
Ongoing joint inflammation, arthritis, or meniscus injury can cause repeated fluid production until the root cause is treated.
Risks include temporary soreness, rare infection, or nerve irritation. No general anesthesia required.
Typically not. We provide cost transparency upfront. HSA/FSA accepted.
If clinically appropriate, yes—aspiration may be performed before your injection to reduce pressure.
Most return to normal activity in 2–4 days. Full improvement may take 4–8 weeks.

Say Goodbye to Recurring Knee Swelling

You don’t need to settle for short-term relief or repeated procedures. Regenexx Pittsburgh offers a smarter, regenerative approach to knee bursitis and Baker’s cysts.

Request Your Appointment

Call Our Office

(412) 963-6480

About Regenexx Pittsburgh COVID-19 Protection Zone

At Regenexx Pittsburgh, we are foremost committed to the health and safety of our patients. Our team adheres strictly to COVID-19 protection protocols and ALL staff wear masks and are COVID-19 vaccinated.

Advanced IOF Certifications

Certified at the highest level for Ankle / Foot, Wrist / Hand, Hip, Knee, Shoulder, and Spine Intradiscal

Specialized Certifications

Top available certifications in Diagnostic Ultrasound, Bone Marrow and Adipose Aspirate, and Nucleated Cell Counting

Educational Certifications

Our doctors have earned both General Instructor as well as Spine Instructor certifications.

Knee

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Knee Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Meniscus Tears
  • Patellofemoral
  • Syndrome/Chondomalacia
  • ACL Tears + PCL, LCL & MCL Tears & Sprains
  • Patellar Tendonitis
  • Pes anersine bursitis
  • Baker’s cyst
  • Instability
  • Hamstrings Tendinopathy & Biceps Femoris Insertional Tendinopathy

Lower Spine

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Spine Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Lumbar Facet Injury
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Herniated or Bulging Disc
  • Radiculopathy (pinched nerve)
  • SI Joint Syndrome
  • Many More Disc and Low Back Issues

Foot & Ankle

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Foot & Ankle Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Ankle Instability
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Peroneal tendon tear or split
  • Ligament sprain or tear
  • Sub-talar arthritis or instability
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Bunions

Cervical Spine

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Spine Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Cervical Instability
  • Cervical Facet Injury
  • Neck, Back or Rib Instability
  • Many More Disc and Cervical Issues Causing Pain

Shoulder

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Shoulder Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Arthritis of the shoulder joint
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Labral tears or degeneration
  • Rotator cuff tendonitis & tendonosis
  • AC Joint Separation
  • Recurrent shoulder dislocations

Hip

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Hip Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Osteonecrosis
  • Bursitis
  • Tendinopathy
  • Labral / Labrum Tear

Elbow

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Elbow Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Instability
  • Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow
  • Nerve entrapment (ulnar nerve)

Hand & Wrist

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions.

View Details About Hand & Wrist Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Hand Arthritis
  • Basal Joint Arthritis or CMC / Carpometacarpal
  • Arthritis
  • Instability
  • TFCC Tear
  • Carpal Tunnel SyndromeTrigger Finger