Ive Been Going Through This Again This Again
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Hurting behind genu: what should you practice?
In full general, pain behind the knee is one of the more challenging musculoskeletal problems. There are then many possible causes – muscle tear, tendon, nerve damage, and blood clots. Similar most other problems, the key to managing information technology correctly is an early and authentic diagnosis. So, what are the causes of pain behind the knee, and how do sort out what is causing the problem?
What's behind the knee?
The dorsum of the knee has complicated beefcake.
As well as the human knee that sits in the middle, there are muscles from the thigh and calf that pass through this area. Firstly, the large hamstring muscles start from the pelvis and pass across the knee to attach to the lower leg basic. In addition, the large dogie muscles start at the bottom part of the thigh and cross the knee to form the large Achilles tendon.
Finally, there are important nerves and blood vessels that cross the dorsum of the articulatio genus to supply the lower leg and pes.
Common causes of pain backside knee
Where practise we start with making an accurate diagnosis?
Generally, most doctors utilise a methodological process to confirm or dominion out causes. Firstly, we perform a thorough assessment to test the joints, ligaments, and tendons that pass across the dorsum of the knee. Then, we consider imaging to confirm our thinking. X-rays often pick up major arthritis in the human knee. MRI tin can detect soft tissue problems such every bit tendonitis or muscle tear. Occasionally, we perform other tests such equally blood, ultrasound, or nerve studies depending on the presentation.
Generally, the more mutual causes of pain backside the knee include:
Arthritis of the knee causing pain behind knee
Osteoarthritis is a common cause of pain backside the knee. Typically, arthritis causes bone spurs leading to inflammation at the back of the knee. Oft, you lot feel tight and restricted in the motion of the genu joint.
Generally, the best course of handling for knee arthritis is exercise and load direction. Also, wearing a knee joint sleeve tin help. Occasionally, we utilize injection therapy to aid with arthritis such equally cortisone or platelet-rich plasma.
Meniscal tears
Meniscal or cartilage tears of the knee can cause hurting behind the genu – unremarkably more than on the within or outside. Near of these tears are degenerative. Sometimes, all the same, the 'root' of the meniscus tears, where the meniscus attaches to the eye of the knee joint, tears. In these cases, the meniscus stops acting every bit a true daze absorber leading to increased stress on the knee joint joint.
Primarily, treatment of degenerative tears including degenerative 'root' tears is conservative. Exceptions include meniscal tears in younger patients later on trauma, root tears, or any knee that causes mechanical symptoms such as locking or giving way.
Baker's cyst
A Baker's cyst is a drove of fluid at the back of the knee. This cyst arises from the articulatio genus joint, so swelling of the genu joint will brand the cyst bigger. By and large, bigger cysts put pressure on the joints, muscles, and fretfulness leading to pain.
Typically, a Bakery's cyst is confirmed by an ultrasound. Occasionally for cysts that are painful, we drain the cysts using a needle under ultrasound.
Tendon and musculus injuries causing pain backside knee joint
Tendon injuries often occur in runners due to overload. The tendons most probable to be affected include the hamstring on the within (semimembranosus) or outside (biceps femoris). Rarely, a small tendon called the popliteus wrapping around the outside of the knee articulation can become swollen and painful.
In addition, hamstring muscle tears can occur close to the exterior of the human knee. Normally, these tears occur about 5cm above the human knee. It is important to define the exact location of the tear, as location determines the time to return to sport.
Finally, a pulled dogie muscle well-nigh the knee tin can likewise cause hurting in this area.
Nerve damage
Pinching of fretfulness in the low back (sciatica) or the buttock (piriformis syndrome) can cause pain radiating down the leg and into the back of the articulatio genus. However, pain isolated to the back of the knee is not usually associated with nerve damage.
DVT (deep venous thrombosis)
Similar to nerve harm, it is rare for deep venous thrombosis or DVT to cause pain at the back of the knee. Usually, pain from DVT extends to the dogie and inner thigh. Frequently, the ankle and calf are swollen. Some people have an increased adventure of DVT such as obesity, cancer, recent surgery, and long booty travel.
Common questions related to pain behind the genu
Why is the back of my knee swollen?
By and large, swelling at the back of the knee is due to a Baker'south cyst. However, Baker'southward cysts are not usually painful. If you experience severe pain and swelling behind the knee, then yous must encounter your doctor. Sometimes, large Baker'south cysts tin can become painful. Other causes include DVT or popliteal aneurysms.
What causes pain behind the articulatio genus and in the calf?
If you become pain in the knee and calf, then you likely take a problem unrelated to the knee joint. Possibilities include nervus pain from the lumbar spine or piriformis or DVT.
MRI of my knee didn't show annihilation. What does that mean?
A normal MRI scan doesn't necessarily rule out all problems in the knee articulation. Yet, we would consider other causes such as DVT or hurting from the spine.
Concluding word from Sportdoctorlondon about pain behind the knee
Hurting behind the knee is not straightforward. Some conditions tin can be life-threatening such every bit a DVT. Other conditions may need further investigations and treatments. We suggest yous encounter a sports medicine consultant to get an accurate diagnosis and management programme.
Related conditions:
- Torn meniscus
- Meniscal injections
- Bakery's cyst
- Injections for human knee arthritis
- Pulled calf musculus
- Piriformis syndrome
Dr. Masci is a specialist sport doctor in London.
He specialises in muscle, tendon and joint injuries.
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Source: https://sportdoctorlondon.com/pain-behind-knee/
My husband and I walk two miles a day. About every fifteen minutes I have to stop because the pain in thigh and shin is so bad. If I elevator my foot up to my thigh it seems to release something and information technology is similar I never had hurting, but it just lasts fifteen to twenty minutes
Howdy Nancy, exercise-related pain could be due to trapping of nerves from your spine or blockage of blood vessels to your legs. i suggest you see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis.
Howdy
Tin can u help with Backside the knee pain is a bit high and outer border with a small-scale nodule between the two muscles attachments pretty deep. Non a baker cyst… too modest( I recall) relieved with massage.
Pain worse afterwards extension from a prolonged flexed position . Can't walk for a few minutes later on?
How-do-you-do I am suffering with bad aching pain I back of my knee I get hurting on side on my knee I get shooting pains I carnt walk to far I become pain in my groune
I had a 100lb dog run full forcefulness into the front of my knee pushing it to over extend. I am able to walk on it merely not to long or it volition kickoff hurting again. The problem is when I squat or bend the genu more than than 90 degrees it feels like someone hits me in the dorsum of the knee joint with a sledge hammer and the hurting radiates downward my calf to my toes. Is this concerning or will it be fine afterwards resting a while more.
hi, a few possibilities
1) you've stretched the capsule at the back of the knee joint
ii) you've damaged the cartilage and bruised the bone
iii) you've damaged the ligaments in your knee
I'd encounter physician to get a more specific diagnosis if your knee doesn't settle within ii weeks of the injury
Lorenzo
How-do-you-do
I have a Baker's cyst merely as well with constant pain backside left knee on the distal (outside) that hurts more with knee joint flexion. No initiating trauma except it started right after pulling leg up out of deep snowfall.
Hullo, two weeks ago I was trying to play football with my sons and their friends. I tried to make a cut to the left and immediately my correct articulatio genus was in pain. It has been sore ever since and I limp most of the time since and so; it doesn't seem to exist getting better. I'chiliad 48 years old but have kept myself in good physical status by and large through weightlifting and good nutrition. I remember the pain is mostly from the back of my right knee joint. In that location seems to be a crunching sound if I endeavour doing a squat. Whatever thoughts? Give thanks yous.
Hello..Happy New year…had total human knee late Baronial..model patient..when I finished therapy final month..developed crippling hurting I've both legs..backside knees..esp knee that wasn't operated on..later two weeks my hurting mgmt medico prescribed methoprednisone pack..did not help..I can stand no problem…stairs are terrible..upwardly and down..I am wearing pinch hose..assistance a niggling..taking hydrocortisone acetaminophen two x mean solar day..naproxen..gabopenten twice..Tylenol pm to sleep..starting new PCP on 19th…what can I practise in meantime..I would greatly appreciate any advice..ty
Hi Susan, sorry to hear almost your bug. I presume you lot've had a scan for your (not-operated) knee. It'southward difficult to advise without knowing the crusade. LM
Hi. After sitting for an extended period, and I stand up, I have a bad pain just in a higher place the back of my human knee. It's in a targeted area. Later I have several steps, it goes abroad until the next time I sit down and and so stand. The longer I sit, the worse the pain will exist when I stand up. I had foot reconstruction surgery (apartment foot) in Oct on that leg, and this pain started when I was finally able to put my foot downwards 3 months subsequently. Right upwards to that surgery I had been going to PT for a dislocated kneecap. There is also tiresome aching in my lower buttocks.
howdy Colleen, you could have a degenerative meniscal tear in your genu. The other possibility is referred pain from the dorsum. I'd advise you lot see a medico to become a proper diagnosis.
Lorenzo
How-do-you-do Lorenzo,
Cheers for your blog, information technology is very informative for knee pain and It's useful for my mother in police knee issues. But you desire to add together how many days to take this recovery this pain!
Could I share this postal service?
Hi there!
I am a ballet teacher last calendar week while didactics I had a sharp pain run down through my knee to my calves. Since then my knee has been very swollen behind the human knee and very very painful I can't straighten my knee completely and when I bend information technology , it is extremely tight can you help me? What could this exist I went to the doctor got x-rays they showed nothing. They had no diagnosis for me. It's Kaiser 😵💫.
Hi, in 2019, after walking for several hours around London, the back of my left knee became very painful. Thinking I had strained something I assumed that information technology would over fourth dimension get easier. Still by the fourth dimension I realised that it was getting no better, the Pandemic lockdown was imposed so I was unable to get to encounter a doctor. The trouble still persists and every evening there appears to be a lot of fluid effectually the joint.
Hey at that place!
I was playing softball and I was running difficult to 1st base of operations, I felt the tendon backside my knee on the right side pop. I could barely walk for a few days. I have been slowly getting dorsum into concrete activities and was playing basketball the other dark "this is 4 months subsequently softball" i still can't make my cuts considering that tendon gets tight and feels similar it's going to pop again. What are some stretches I tin can exercise and what causes this to happen? It besides was hobbling the start fourth dimension. I didn't go to the dr.
hi Cody, the popping is a little more of a concern to me. You could have injured your knee articulation – cartilage or ligaments. I think it's fourth dimension yous encounter a doctor. Lorenzo
Information technology's been almost ii years since whatever happened to the back of my knee, happened. Ive been a runner for a long time but this time particularly my knee swelled. I thought I had over washed information technology then I laid off. A couple weeks later on later the initial swelling episode, I was doing sit ups for fourth dimension, and when i got upwards i felt the back of my knee "pull" and since then but non all the time it will flare upward and i don't necessarily accept hurting simply information technology "pulls" and i cant open my leg all the fashion. It is uncomfortable, merely not painful. Is this inflammation or something more? I've had an MRI and was told i have some arthritis but naught else. Could information technology be a hamstring injury. i'm 41 yrs. old. Any incite would be appreciated.
Hi Rebecca, I recall your pain is related to your arthritis and human knee joint swelling. I don't think your description fits. hamstring injury. Lorenzo
I've worked on my knees for years wearing knee pads I have got cartilidge bug anguish side and dorsum of knee I'one thousand in my seventies and still working on roofs apartment exercise knee joint pads straps strangle your joints she working struggle getting upwards and downwardly which goes with job. Tony
Hi…I take pain in back of my left genu. Information technology occurs when I become into a deep squat coming out of the whole. I have a sharp pain and I accept to take hold of on to something to get support. Pain is very local and zip radiating upwardly or down. It merely occurs when I squat.
Hello Ramsin, I suspect y'all accept an issue with the cartilage in your knee joint. see this blog on meniscal tears:
https://sportdoctorlondon.com/torn-meniscus-in-knee joint/
Often, tears in the posterior horn of the meniscus can cause hurting at the back of the knee.
Regards
Lorenzo
Hi there,
About 5 days ago I was in the dog park and slammed past a pack of running dogs below my left knee joint. My shin went backwards with the impack and I brutal forrard- I caught myself on the way downwards with my correct leg. The first few days I could put very picayune weight on it. At present I can walk ok (some tinges of pain if I twist) but bending (stairs/ knee flexion hurts) likewise if I don't walk a lot/ sit for a long period of time in a day I showtime limping again due to hurting. Not sure i should get to a medico or if it will just get ameliorate with time? Thoughts?
Ho Jenna, You might take hobbling or torn the cartilage in your knee. I suggest anti-inflammatory measures – ibuprofen and ice. If information technology doesn't settle with these unproblematic measures, then I suggest y'all see your dr..
https://sportdoctorlondon.com/torn-meniscus-in-knee/
Lorenzo
The hurting is on the back inner side of my knee.
I have bakers cysts that have non been painful. What procedure can become rid of them?
hullo noel, So every bit a general rule, I suggest y'all exit the Baker's cyst alone unless ane) you don't similar the cosmetic appearance or two) it becomes painful.
If you want to get rid of a Baker'due south cyst, I suggest a trial aspiration. See this blog – explains the options:
https://sportdoctorlondon.com/bakers-cyst-drainage/
Lorenzo
Hi, I accept pain in the dorsum of my right knee joint when I sit down on my heels. Does not hurt at whatsoever other fourth dimension?
I am 75, a very active, lifelong cyclist and I had triple bypass surgery exactly two years agone. (100% recovered, but I am on a statin) Four days ago I began to accept a severe pain behind my knee. Information technology is in the very center of my knee/leg – just slightly below the hollow of my human knee simply I practise not think it is the calf muscle. Information technology is a severe hurting when I outset get up in the morning or if i sit for a while. Information technology loosens up when I walk or bike but the hurting is still at that place. I have used Voltaren cream on it the past two+ days but that does not seem to assistance. This morning, the same pain, less astringent so far, began in my other leg. I have read your (and other) explanations of sources for back of knee pain and none seem to lucifer my state of affairs. Wondering if it could chronicle to the statin, or if you accept other suggestions?
Hi Ted, Mostly, pain occurring in both knees increases the likelihood of referred pain from above – normally the lumbar spine. I'd see your doc if the pain doesn't settle. Lorenzo
I have excruciating hurting backside my knee when I am walking. It hurts more going up the stairs than down the stairs. It is very painful bending my genu dorsum towards my buttock. . I had a a scan and it is not a bakers cyst. Do you have any ideas what this could exist from?
Hello it could be related to a problem in the articulation (cartilage/meniscus). Yous should encounter your physician.
Lorenzo
Wonderful article..Thank-you . Last night I twisted in sleep and awoke with sharp hurting to knee. I could not curve it and felt afraid to straighten it. The inner area but below my human knee cap had a "crispy, crinkly cord" under the skin and after I massaged it for a moment information technology disappeared merely all day my knee feels loose and I need to walk carefully to forbid instability and quick jabs of pain. Can you tell me what the odd crinkly string was and why it disappeared when I rubbed it? My knee did bend afterwards. Tin I permit this "injury" heal up on its ain or practice I need help?
Thank-y'all so much.
Denise
Hi Denise, it'due south hard to know what information technology could be without seeing your knee and examining information technology. I'd propose you run into your doctor if your knee doesn't settle. It could be inflammation of the tendons on the inside of your knee https://sportdoctorlondon.com/foot-anserine-bursitis/ or a cartilage injury. Lorenzo
Having pain in the dorsum of the left articulatio genus, it feels full but no swelling. Hard to stretch my leg. No crash-land. Doesn't hurt when I rub or massage.
Your commodity was very informative. Just I can't decide which is my cause. For 3 weeks I haven't been able to put weight on my right leg. Back of the knee is extremely painful. I put a brace on information technology because this did thiss a year ago. Going down a slope or stairs just kills me. Been to chiropractor for 3 weeks he keeps telling me it is sciatica. I feel similar I'chiliad getting no where. Final year I was given 2 injections before I felt relief. Stick with chiropractic or suck it up and become to a Doctor?
I remember it needs further investigation. I'd see a doctor.
Howdy. I accept a knot on the inside role of my knee. The pain is a called-for hurting until I get upwards to walk. When Walking at that place is pain in my upper calf and pain that goes up into my inner thigh. Sometimes the knee feels like it bends backward some. When this happens I accept to cease walking for the hurting to ease. I work at a desk all solar day and am quite obese (morbidly). Could this exist muscle related, nerve or DVT? I likewise accept arthritis in that knee joint and h/o knee and ankle tendon tears back in 2009.
Hullo Michelle, I suspect it's related to your human knee joint. However, you'll need to encounter a doctor to ostend.
hi i'thou 39 years old and I get pain in the back of my left knee after a few minutes of walking but when I stretch out my knee joint equally far equally it can go and hold it at that place for a few minutes the hurting eventually goes away at present i don't ride a bicycle or do a lot of sports that require a lot of running and this problem happen only a few days ago from writing this i'thousand thinking of getting a knee pad joint support will that help me anyway if you can tell me what you recollect is going on with my knee and how to fix information technology i would exist extremely grateful
Hello Jamie, If your hurting settles with a calf stretch, then it might exist muscle tightness rather than other more serious pathology.
I'd endeavor to stretch before walking or activity.
I'd encounter a medico if information technology doesn't settle.
Lorenzo
Over three years now my knee has got really bad it's in the dorsum off the in pain all fourth dimension doctor gives me all sorts of medication but no skillful I've got a job to walk now the pain is terrible if I Straighten my legg it kills
Howdy Nigel, I doubtable you accept a problem with your knee articulation. I'd encounter a md to get it investigated.
LM
Hi, I had a hip replacement 14 years ago with no troubles at all. Now I have episodes of pain behind my knee in same leg, which tin last for a week to 10 days or longer. It hurts when I become up and put weight on it, but hurts much more when I endeavour to lift my leg to take a step. I hobble to the toilet and back, sit down down and brace myself as it hurts more and radiates down shin to my outer talocrural joint. It takes about a half 60 minutes for it to settle and finish hurting. Then I'm comfortable until I need to get up again. I'm 63 yr old. My Dr simply said it'due south arthritis without even examining me. Practice you think it's just knee arthritis or could information technology be related to my hip replacement? (I sure hope not but do wonder).
Thanks
Hi Lesley, It could be knee arthritis. I'd advise you get imaging – X-ray to brainstorm. Lorenzo
My husband was walk8 g down the steps outside n when he got to the lesser his knee gave out n now he has severe hurting backside the knee n it'due south swollen due north ruby due north feverish what can we practice to lessen the hurting
Hello I am 66 yrs old and am experiencing extreme hurting by and large behind my knee with some radiating above and down into my calf. I also accept pain along the inside of my lower leg with some in the front. I visited an ortho Dr and 10-rays showed naught am currently waiting for appt to have MRI trying to deport weight is almost incommunicable. Should I try to go on bending my leg even though very painful? Also should I wear an ace cast?? The Dr did
Give me a shot that independent novacain(then) simply with piffling reduction in pain. Thanks for listening!!
Yes I'd proceed with range of motion exercises and a brace.
I take an intense pain in the back of the knee and to the outside. Information technology gets worse with stair climbing, over extension & general increased activity. I've had an X-ray & MRI and nothing specific has been detected ( fat pad impingement & a trivial articulation degeneration). Could a meniscus tear be missed on a scan & if so how tin can I get it diagnosed?
Helo. Im a 46 year erstwhile lady. The last iii months of 2021 i was decorated with exams and about of the time i would sit down and when i feel tired i stretched my right leg and placed it on to another chair. Around January 2022 i started experiencing hurting especially at the dorsum of my correct knee and backside my thighs. The pain is still persistant now but at that place is no swelling nor loss of balance. sometimes information technology disturbs my sleep. could it be arthritis.
Hi, If y'all're developing pain at the back of the thighs, then you might accept hurting coming from your spine or hip. Y'all need to see a md who can examine you and refer you for imaging if clinically indicated.
LM
HI, I am an 82 year old homo 6'- one" alpine. I have had hurting on the back side of my right human knee and down part of my calf for over a month. The pain goes away when I am in bed or sitting. When I leave of bed in the morning it will usually click. I cannot stand on my leg for more than a few minutes. Sometimes it gives fashion suddenly when I am walking. I take to rely on my left lag when getting upward out of a chair.
I am on a claret thinner and so I can't have ibuprofen. I have seen my primary care Dr. He ordered an x-ray. The impression was of degenerative changes. No acute abnormality. I also had an ultrasound to check for DVT. They found a pocket-sized Bakers cyst. I accept had a Concrete Therapist cheque me over and she was stumped. I recall what I need is an MRI but this would take to come from an Orthopedic Dr. In this medical desert where I live I can't become an appointment to even see the Physicians Assistant for quondam in May. Any help would be appreciated. .
Yeah I think an MRI would be appropriate. Simply I'd speak to your doctor.
Lorenzo
I accept, I thing, pulled a musculus at the back of my knee. its higher up the dogie and just behind the right knee. probable from hamstring curls or toe raises, very painful. How do I ready information technology?
If it'due south a pulled muscle, then it should reply to exercises for the hamstring such as hamstring curls and bridges.
Hi,
I have pain behind the knee that happens intermittently. Unremarkably it lasts in 1-three seconds sometimes 30 seconds. It is quick but painful. I walked a lot but also have 6hours in average fourth dimension in sitting position due to work. The pain I believe is somewhere inside behind the knee., not swollen, no redness, but quick pain and I dont know why it happens…
Hi I think you lot need farther imaging – it could exist intra-articular – X-ray and MRI.
Lorenzo
Good morn, A calendar week ago I was walking and felt a dull pop feeling in my right knee followed past a dull wearisome moving pain downwards to my foot my toes got tingly and and then went numb. I took my boots off and socks my foot all white and no feeling in my toes. Everything went dorsum to normal in just a few minutes. Walked effectually again and my right calf started getting really tight, to wear I could non fifty-fifty walk on it. The hurting in my genu comes from the dorsum and center of my knee. I have tried stretching in and ice and hot packs makes nor departure. I tin only walk a round ten-xv minutes
Hi Robert, Your trouble sounds intra-articular. Perhaps a cartilage tear with a Baker's cyst. You should see a doctor.
Should an mri or cast scan be down to find out why my genu has been like this for 3.v year. For they don't know what going on. The pain is ecruseating.
Hullo, I slipped over in the bath about 2 years agone, and my full body landed on my aptitude knee. At the time it was a little sore, but I was upwardly and well-nigh as normal within a few days. Since then though I have institute it hard to crouch or kneel and when |I attempt to get up I demand support/help. I am a keen walker and usually do virtually iii-iv hours walking in the countryside, merely have done very footling since covid. It has simply been the last calendar month that I am walking/rambling again just now I can only do virtually 1 hr of irksome walking earlier pain at the dorsum and side starts. I too experience weakness of the knee making walking really difficult. The strange thing is that if I take a short rest of about 10 – 15 minutes just sitting on a bench or chair, information technology seems to recover and I can almost walk normally again, that is for about another 40 minutes.
There is no obvious swelling or redness. I am 66 and do not want to stop my countryside walking exercise, any thoughts?
Hi it could exist the knee joint or referred pain from your dorsum. You need to see a doctor to assistance with a diagnosis.
How-do-you-do
I am 43 and over the last yr I started experiencing pain at the back merely not inside my knee when I did deep squats. The pain would then go away and would sometimes trigger again. Over the final couple of weeks I oasis't been able to exercise as much and it's started hurting more and feeling tight even without any exercise. There is a tiny chip of swelling but no lump.
Hi Kate, It could be a cartilage tear. I'd suggest you encounter a physician for further investigations.