The knees are the most important part of the body as they aid in moving legs and performing daily tasks. And because of overuse and other reasons, pain behind the knee can occur. However, it is recommended to visit a doctor at a pain management clinic, as he could diagnose better and suggest the best treatment.
Reasons for Pain Behind Knee
Here are possible causes of pain behind the knee are present:
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Knee Cysts And Bursal Injury
Typically, bursae are injured as a result of repetitive movements, resulting in pain and tenderness. Infections, benign causes, and cancer can cause cystic lesions of the knee.
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Jumper’s Knee
Jumper’s knee occurs when the tendon connecting the kneecap (patella) to your shinbone is injured. Alternatively, it is referred to as patellar tendonitis. Playing volleyball or basketball, for example, can cause this type of injury. The movements described above can cause tiny tears in the tendons. A tendon eventually swells and weakens as a result of inflammation.
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Baker’s Cyst
Baker’s cysts are fluid-filled sacs located behind the knee. A cyst is filled with synovial fluid. In normal circumstances, this fluid is responsible for lubricating the knee joint. If you suffer from arthritis or have sustained a knee injury, your knee may produce an excessive amount of synovial fluid.
Baker’s cysts are created when the synovial membrane ruptures through the posterior capsule or when fluid escapes through an anatomic bursa near the gastrocnemius or semimembranosus.
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Nerve Damage
It is possible to experience pain radiating down the leg and into the back of the knee as a result of pinched nerves in the lower back (sciatica) or the buttocks (piriformis syndrome). Usually, back pain is not caused by nerve damage.
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DVT (Deep Venous Thrombosis)
The pain at the back of the knee is typically caused by deep venous thrombosis or DVT, which is similar to nerve damage. Calf and inner thigh pain are common symptoms of DVT. Often, the ankles and calves are swollen. DVT is more common in people who are obese, have cancer, have recently undergone surgery, or travel long distances.
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Meniscus Tear
As a cushion to stabilize the knee joint, the meniscus cartilage sits inside the joint. Each knee is equipped with a meniscus on both sides. You may tear this cartilage while playing sports that involve squats or knee twists.
As cartilage deteriorates with age, it becomes more prone to tearing during normal daily activities. It may pop when it tears, but there will be no immediate pain. A variety of symptoms may occur in the days that follow, including knee pain, stiffness, swelling, weakness, and/or locking.
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Calf Tear
Symptoms of pain behind knee that are located lower down in the calf region may be the result of damage and tear to a calf muscle. The most common cause of calf strains is sudden changes in speed or direction during exercise. Swelling and pain behind the knee can be caused by stretching and tearing of the calf muscles. A calf tear typically manifests itself as more severe symptoms while walking or running, especially on the tip of the toes.
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Popliteal Vein Thrombosis
An arterial blood clot in the popliteal vein causes popliteal vein thrombosis (PVT). Popliteal veins are located behind each knee. The symptoms of PVT may be similar to those of Baker’s cysts; however, PVT is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. If you experience PVT, you should consult a physician immediately.
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Chondromalacia
As a result of cartilage wear, your bones rub against each other. This is called chondromalacia. Injury, age-related wear and tear, overuse, and arthritis are all contributing factors. Your knee may feel weak or give way when you bend or straighten it, and you may experience a dull ache behind your patella (kneecap).
Diagnosis of Knee Pain
A DVT or other serious condition such as pain behind your knee should be ruled out with a visit to your physician. Rest and pain relief are effective treatments for posterior knee pain caused by minor injuries or arthritis. An examination of your knee will be performed by your doctor, as well as a discussion of your symptoms and medical history.
The following are included:
- What is your level of activity?
- At the time of the onset of your pain, what you were doing
- Is there any injury or activity that may have contributed to the symptoms you are experiencing?
- You may experience pain that comes and goes
- A doctor may recommend an ultrasound if you are experiencing symptoms of Baker’s cyst.
- An X-ray or MRI may be recommended by your physician if you are experiencing symptoms of a posterior cruciate ligament injury.
When to Consult Doctor
According to pain clinic Fort Worth, the following symptoms should be reported to a physician as soon as possible:
- Experiencing severe pain
- Your affected leg cannot bear any weight
- Breathing problems
- Feeling warm or swollen in your leg suddenly
- You have a misshapen knee
- The affected leg is red in color.
- Your pain is unbearable
- Fever is present in you
- Blood clots are a history for you
- You are experiencing pain as a result of this.
- There is a fever present in your body.
- Blood clots have been a problem for you in the past.
- Their expertise can assist you in determining the cause of your knee pain and in finding a solution.
- Joints have changed.
Treatment of Pain Behind Knee
In order to reduce pain and swelling, doctors often recommend the RICE treatment at the onset of an injury.
RICE is an acronym for:
- Rest – Take a break (from exercise).
- The application of ice to the knee
- Using an elastic bandage to compress the area
- Keeping (the injured leg) elevated
- Pain and swelling may be reduced by RICE treatment in many cases. It is important to keep in mind, however, that ice treatments can delay the healing process.
- The best treatment for an individual should be determined by a physician or physical therapist.
- Another method of easing pain and swelling is to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are available online in some cases.
- Stretching the muscles surrounding the knee, especially the quadriceps, calves, and hamstrings, is always a good idea.
- Although this may not provide protection against some of the traumatic causes of knee pain, it may assist the muscles in responding to physical activity better.
