Fast Facts On Pain In The Back Of The Knee
- There are many possible causes of this kind of pain.
- Receiving early treatment for knee pain often prevents the injury from getting worse.
- In some cases, the pain may be due to fatigue or not stretching before exercise.
It is important to work closely with a doctor to diagnose pain in the back of the knee, as some causes require long-term treatment to heal completely.
Some possible causes of pain in the back of the knee include the following.
The Knee Is A Complicated Joint
Its important to remember that the knee is effectively a hinge between the hip and the ankle. Its very rare that the problem is actually with the knee itself.
Monger-Godfrey explains: There are so many structures involved that mean the pain is localised to the knee but you need to look at the ankle, hip and lower back. Because its so complicated, its great to treat because you often get a really good response rate.
Why do you feel pain when cycling?
If It Hurts When You Try To Straighten Your Knee:
You may have a popliteal cyst . This is a bulge in the back pit of your knee, called the popliteal fossa, that is filled with fluid and causes tightness behind your knee. The pain may increase when you while participating in physical activity. You may also feel swelling, pain and stiffness or tightness behind your knee.
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What Are Knee Injury Treatments
Almost all knee injuries will need more than one visit to the doctor. If no operation is indicated, then RICE with some strengthening exercises and perhaps physical therapy will be needed. Sometimes the decision for surgery is delayed to see if the RICE and physical therapy will be effective. Each injury is unique, and treatment decisions depend on what the expectation for function will be. As an example, a torn ACL would usually require surgery in a young athlete or a construction worker, but the ACL may be treated nonoperatively with physical therapy in an 80-year-old who is not very active.
With the technology available, many knee injuries that require surgery can be treated surgically with an arthroscope, in which a camera is used to visualize the damage and small punctures are made in the knee to insert instruments to make repairs. Patients usually begin their post-op rehabilitation within days of the surgery.
If there is no rush to operate, then opportunity exists to pre-hab or strengthen the quadriceps and hamstring muscles beforehand. When a joint like the knee is injured, the muscles around it start to weaken almost immediately. This is also true after the surgery, which can also be considered a further injury. Strong muscles in the preoperative state allow the potential for easier postoperative therapy.
Complications From Rear Knee Pain
There are different complications from rear knee pain, depending on the underlying cause.
A DVT should always be treated urgently as it can travel to your lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism, which is life-threatening.
To avoid complications from rear knee pain, you should see a doctor if:
- You have a fever
- You have a bluish discoloration, pain, swelling, numbness or tingling in your affected leg
- You have severe pain even when your leg is not bearing weight
- Your pain lasts longer than three days or gets worse
- Your affected leg cant bear weight
You should also see a doctor if your knee:
- Is warm, red or swollen
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What’s Causing Your Back Pain
There are plenty of possible causes for a hurt back. Overuse, especially without proper stretching, can strain your back. Or you may UNDER use your back. If you have a job where you sit all day, your back muscles and buttox muscles may be weak, and not provide proper support to your spinal cord. Poor posture can put a lot of pressure on the lumbar spine .
You may also have a medical condition that causes pain, like spinal stenosis . Sciatica pain is a fairly common cause for back and knee problems. You may have chronic pain from something like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Without management, the pain can start affecting your knees, hips, and ankles.
A back injury may be one of the more concerning causes of back pain. Any injury to your back or spinal cord could cause some serious damage. If you’ve had a recent back or spine injury, make sure to talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
Pain Behind The Knee When Walking Or Running
The cause of pain at the back of the leg behind the knee could be hamstring tendonitis. This is caused by the tendons of the hamstring becoming inflamed, often due to overuse of the hamstring muscles, but the pain will subside after rest and first aid centred on the RICE method .
If you notice a sudden sharp pain in the back of the thigh when undergoing vigorous exercise this may be due to a pull, partial tear or tear of the hamstring, and is due to overloading the muscle. This type of injury is most often treated by a doctor. A similar pain in the calf may be due to gastrocnemius tendonitis.
A tenderness behind the knee, felt when rotating the leg inwards in the act of walking could denote an injury to the popliteus muscle. A cold pack applied for 10 minutes every hour for the first day after injury can alleviate the symptoms.
All the muscles at the back of the leg can be subject to cramp. This is a common condition and occurs when a muscle goes into spasm. The symptoms are a tightening of the muscle accompanied by pain. Amongst other causes, it could be due to dehydration, muscle fatigue or a restriction of the blood supply to the affected muscles. Cramp is not serious and can be relieved by relaxing, massaging and stretching the affected muscle.
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Treatment For Back And Knee Pain In Kansas City Missouri
If you are experiencing back or knee pain, the experts at Advanced Bone & Joint can help. We can alleviate your pain and restore good bodily functions through advanced pain management methods and customized rehabilitation techniques. We also offer orthopedic urgent care to patients who suffer injuries that need immediate care.
To make an appointment, call at 229-4222 or fill out our appointment request form.
Pain Tenderness Warm Or Red Skin Or A Swelling Behind The Knee
May be the indication of a blood clot in the popliteal vein. This is also called a thrombosis, and the block would restrict the circulation of blood in your leg. More importantly a clot could form an aneurysm, which is an abnormal bulging in the vein walls, and could lead to a pulmonary embolism. If you suspect you have a blood clot it is imperative that you see a doctor as soon as possible. Your body can eventually break up small clots, but you may be sent for a CT scan to investigate the blood clot and given a prescription for blood-thinning medication.
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Pain Behind Knee When Bending
There are many possible causes of pain behind the knee when bending. It could be something as simple as a muscle strain from overuse or overexertion. It could also be something more serious, like a meniscus tear or ligament injury. If the pain is severe or persistent, its important to see a doctor to rule out any serious problems.
There are several possible causes of knee pain when bending your leg. If you have pain behind your knee while bending, its most likely due to extremely sharp pain in the knee while you bend. If you experience mild knee pain, you may be able to get relief at home with home remedies. The best treatment for knee pain while bending depends on the cause of the pain. Strengthening your knees mobility and flexibility through physical therapy can help you accomplish your goals. Orthotics are shoe inserts that create a stable foot and ankle. In some cases, a brace or cast may be required to aid in pain relief.
Mild knee pain that occurs while bending is usually not a cause for concern. A doctor can provide you with the assistance you require to alleviate your symptoms. If you need surgery, the recovery time could be anywhere between eight and twelve months. In the case of knee pain, you can reduce or prevent it.
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What Causes Swelling Behind The Knee
There are a number of different causes of swelling behind the knee. In most cases, back of knee swelling is caused by a build-up of fluid or an abnormal growth in the popliteal space the soft area at the back of the knee.
Here we look at five common causes of swelling behind the knee, the causes and symptoms of each, how to tell whether its something serious and the best ways to treat causes of swelling behind the knee.
Overload And Spring Knee
Finally there are cases where a cyclist suffers from knee pain simply because theyve done too much, too soon. Commonly called spring knee its frequently a result of a sudden increase in mileage in an attempt at last minute fitness gains.
George says: You can get tendinitis in there often riders have a break over winter then they go out and carry on riding like they were theyll get tendinitis because the muscle just isnt ready. From that point of view, they need load strength work in the hamstring if theyre getting a dull aching pain. Its important to stretch the hamstring then too.
He adds: From a coaching perspective only ever add 10% of duration if someone suddenly goes from nothing to 4 hours, theyre going to get pain. Same for intensity if you increase intensity you need to back down on volume and ensure youre getting rest.
Spring knee is also sometimes associated with over-gearing, so its often a good idea to use smaller gears and higher cadence until the problem subsides.
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What Causes Sharp Pain Behind The Knee
If you are a runner, then sharp back of knee pain often indicates a problem with the hamstring tendons, such as tendonitis. If you do a lot of cycling, then a sharp pain behind your knee is usually caused by a problem in one of the calf muscles, gastrocnemius.
If you have recently twisted your knee or had a fall, then a meniscus tear is probably causing the sharp pain.
Modification Of The Sphinx Stretch
Complete the full Sphinx Stretch but keep your knees on the floor. This will help you maintain balance and reduce pressure on the lower back.
Place a rolled-up towel under each knee for added support and comfort during the stretch. This modification is especially helpful if you have tight hamstrings or difficulty keeping your balance in this pose.
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I Only Have Pain Behind My Knee When Walking Up Or Down The Stairs What Should I Do
The act of walking up and down stairs involves straightening the knee whilst it is bearing weight, and the the most common cause of pain in this case is chondromalacia patella. This condition is brought about by the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap deteriorating and softening. Some people can ignore the condition, but in the end it will probably need to be surgically addressed. It may be that a flap of cartilage has become unstable, in which case it can be treated by a chondroplasty, repairing the damaged cartilage using keyhole surgery.
My Knee Hurts When I Bend It And Straighten It
Arthritis can affect people of a variety of ages and is most commonly associated with osteoarthritis. It is a disease that affects millions of patients around the world. The joints cartilage protects it from wear and tear, which is a sign of osteoarthritis. When the knee is bent or straightened, it can experience knee pain.
If I bend my knee straighten it, I can feel a pain. Your knees bend all the time while you are doing your daily task. When you walk, descend stairs, or get into and out of the car, your knee braces in alignment with your hip. If your knee is experiencing a mild to moderate irritation, you may have a more serious problem. It can usually be caused by joint misalignment or cartilage loss. The most common causes of knee pain in the medial compartment are osteoarthritis, a torn knee cartilage joint, and inflammation of the low-leg tendons. You may have a serious case of knee swelling if your knee starts to sound strange.
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What Should I Do When I Feel Pain Behind My Knee When I Straighten It
Pain in the back of the knee, often called posterior knee pain, can result from a variety of reasons. The structures of the knee, consisting of muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and vascular system, can each be affected, resulting in a variety of injuries.
Some conditions may only require rest, pain medication, knee elevation above the heart and a warm compress to get better. However, others may need surgical interventions and may become worse over time if left untreated.
It is always best to seek a doctor if the pain does not resolve with rest and pain medication, if the swelling worsens, if there are considerable changes in the appearance of the knee, or if daily activities involving the knee become difficult.
You Felt Or Heard A Pop
Sometimes, a popping sound after a movement can indicate something is out of place.
Oftentimes this type of sound upon injury is indicative of a ligamentous injury, says Schwabe. Not all ligamentous injuries are full tears, though, and not all require surgery.
However, if you also experience excessive swelling and instability, get it checked out by an M.D. If you only have a mild sprain then you will be able to rehab it with physical therapy, he says.
The pop is what you hear as a result of a ligament tear, a meniscus tear, strained tendons, or a dislocated kneecap. Usually what happens is youll simultaneously hear and feel the pop.
If youre not familiar with the meniscus, its the cartilage in the knee that functions as a shock absorber. Each knee has two menisci, and theyre shaped like horseshoes. The medial meniscus is on the inside of the knee, and the lateral meniscus is on the outside.
The popping sensation can be difficult to explain, but youll certainly know it when it happens to you. Though the sound originates in the knee, youll hear it as though it was directly in your ear. Its as if the sensation travels up your body, and when it gets to your brain, it becomes audible.
If the pain is severe, youll want to visit a doctor as soon as possible. Surgery is often the recommended course of action, but physical therapy and other non-invasive remedies may be prescribed as alternatives.
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Can Knee Pain In Teens Be Prevented
Most knee pain that is caused by injury or overuse can be prevented with some attention and work by your teen, including:
- Make sure your teen wears proper shoes for the activity/sport and wears knee pads and leg guards . Replace worn out footwear and gear.
- Engage in muscle strength training exercises. Check with a trainer to make sure proper form and body alignment are being followed. Always do warm up and cool down exercises before and after workouts.
- Keep your muscles flexible by proper stretching exercises or yoga.
- Dont engage in activities that cause or worsen knee pain.
You Experience Greater Than Normal Movement
If you feel like your range of motion in the knee is higher than usual, something might be out of place or injured. This is known as joint instability.
You may feel like your knee will buckle or fold with walking, twisting, or weight-bearing.
The sensation of the knee giving away may occur with simple daily activities or upon return to sport following what was thought to be a minor injury, explains Dr. Brown.
Additional episodes of joint instability may worsen the condition of a knee after an injury. Tears of the ACL or MCL and patellar dislocations could also create joint instability, he says.
Hundreds of thousands of exercise injuries occur each year. Among these, knee injuries are the most common.
The best plan of action is to make an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.
Wear a compression-sleeve-type brace or a knee brace with hinges in the interim, says Dr. Brown.
This may provide some comfort or level of support. Use crutches if you feel like you could fall and suffer additional injury because of knee joint instability.
Another type of hypermobility can occur when the kneecap moves out of place. This condition is called a patella dislocation. Its usually painful when it happens, and it might be sore the next day. If it pops back in by itself, the injury might not be serious. The true test is whether you feel confident that you can resume regular activity later that day or the next day.
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