Pain in Back of Knee When Walking: What Could Be Causing It?

Walking isn't supposed to hurt. However, those who have pain in the back of the knee when walking are quickly reminded that there could be an issue with their knee or leg. Some people who have knee pain in the back of their leg notice a dull ache. Others might feel a pulling sensation. Yet there are more people who may have sharp pain behind the knee when they walk up stairs or walk for long periods.

There are a number of common reasons for people to have pain in the back of their knees. These range from muscle strain or tendon issues to arthritis, a Baker's cyst, or even an injury within the knee joint. The location and the type of pain, how the pain started, and if there are other symptoms, like swelling, can all offer clues about what might be happening.

If pain in the back of the knee doesn't get better, or you can't relieve pain even though you have tried conservative remedies, it could be time to see a medical professional. They can advise on knee pain when straightening leg too. Before you do, however, better understanding this type of pain might help you find permanent knee pain relief.

Why Do You Have Pain Behind Your Knee When You Walk?

The knee is a very complex joint that includes bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and other tissues. Pain behind the knee can actually come from the front of the knee, or it can come from surrounding structures.

When you walk, your joint is repeatedly bending and straightening. This requires the muscles and tendons around it to move and shift, too, so that the joint will support your body weight. If any of these structures are irritated or injured, it could make the back of the knee hurt, sometimes even when you are sitting or laying down.

Common causes of pain behind the knee include:

• Hamstring or calf muscle injuries

• Tendon irritation

• Baker's cysts

• Arthritis

• Meniscus injuries

• Ligament injuries

• Overuse

  
  

Determining the cause generally requires considering other symptoms along with the pain itself.

Could the Knee Pain Be a Hamstring Injury?

Your hamstring muscles run down the back of your thigh, and there are tendons that attach around the knee. If you strain these muscles, you can feel discomfort around the back of the knee. One of the most common knee injuries, a hamstring injury might occur suddenly when being active, or it can become irritated with overuse.

You may notice pain when walking, bending your knee, or straightening your leg. Tenderness or tightness along the back of the thigh may accompany the knee pain.

Mild strains, or an overuse injury, can sometimes improve with conservative care, while significant or persistent injuries should be evaluated.

Can a Baker's Cyst Cause Pain Behind the Knee?

Yes. A Baker's cyst, also called a popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled sac that develops behind the knee. They are common, and can definitely cause pain behind the knee.

The knee naturally contains fluid that helps the joint move smoothly. Certain knee problems can cause excess fluid to accumulate and form a noticeable bulge behind the joint.

A Baker's cyst can cause tightness, stiffness, swelling, or discomfort, particularly when you fully bend or straighten your knee. Some people notice symptoms more during activity.

The cyst itself is often related to an underlying knee problem such as arthritis or a cartilage injury. Treating the condition contributing to the excess fluid may therefore be an important part of addressing the symptoms. It can also be tough to deal with pain on inside of knee when bending and straightening.

Could Arthritis Make My Knee Hurt While Walking?

Arthritis is another possible cause, particularly when knee pain develops gradually.

Osteoarthritis occurs as cartilage within a joint deteriorates over time. Knee osteoarthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility. Symptoms may become more noticeable during weight-bearing activities such as walking or climbing stairs. Rheumatoid arthritis is also possible in the knee.

Arthritis pain isn't necessarily limited to the front or sides of the knee. Changes within the joint can sometimes contribute to discomfort felt behind it as well.

If your knee feels particularly stiff after resting or you have recurring pain and swelling, an evaluation can help determine whether arthritis may be contributing.

What About a Meniscus Injury?

The menisci are pieces of cartilage inside the knee that help absorb shock and distribute weight across the joint.

A meniscus can be injured during a sudden twisting movement, but degenerative meniscus tears can also occur over time.

Depending on the location of the torn meniscus, pain may be felt toward the back of the knee. Other symptoms can include swelling, stiffness, clicking, catching, or difficulty fully bending or straightening the joint.

Some meniscus injuries improve with conservative treatment, while others may require additional medical evaluation. Persistent locking or significant difficulty moving the knee should not be ignored.

Can Overuse Cause Pain Behind the Knee?

You don't necessarily need to experience a dramatic injury to develop posterior knee pain.

Increasing your walking distance, beginning a new exercise routine, running more frequently, or repeatedly climbing stairs can place additional stress on muscles and tendons around the knee.

Even changes in footwear or walking mechanics may contribute to irritation.

Overuse pain often develops gradually rather than appearing immediately after one specific event. Rest and modifying the activity may help mild symptoms, but recurring pain can indicate a biomechanical or musculoskeletal issue that deserves attention.

When Is Pain Behind the Knee More Serious?

Most knee pain isn't an emergency, but certain symptoms require prompt medical attention.

Pain and swelling behind the knee or in the calf can sometimes occur with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot in a deep vein. A DVT can become dangerous if the clot travels to the lungs.

Seek prompt medical attention if pain is accompanied by significant swelling, warmth, redness, or tenderness in the leg, particularly if symptoms appeared without an obvious injury.

Difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood, fainting, or a rapid heartbeat can be signs of a pulmonary embolism and require emergency medical care.

You should also seek appropriate medical attention for severe pain following an injury, inability to bear weight, significant swelling, or an obvious change in the shape of the knee. For more information, Chiropractic support in Albuquerque may be able to help.

Can Chiropractic Care Help With Knee Pain?

Chiropractic care may be appropriate for some musculoskeletal causes of knee pain, depending on the diagnosis.

An evaluation may look beyond the painful area itself. Problems involving hip, leg, ankle, or foot mechanics can sometimes influence how forces travel through the knee while you walk.

Treatment may focus on improving joint mobility, addressing surrounding muscle or soft-tissue dysfunction, and helping restore comfortable movement.

However, chiropractic care isn't appropriate for every cause of knee pain. Symptoms suggesting a blood clot, significant structural injury, infection, or another medical condition require appropriate medical evaluation or referral.

Getting Help for Knee Pain When Walking

Occasional soreness may improve with rest, but persistent pain behind the knee shouldn't simply become something you learn to walk around. Changes to your gait can place additional stress on other parts of your body, while an untreated underlying condition may continue causing symptoms.

If you're experiencing pain in the back of your knee when walking in Albuquerque, Sandia Injury Center can evaluate your musculoskeletal symptoms and help determine what may be contributing to your discomfort. Identifying the source of the problem can help guide an appropriate treatment plan and get you moving more comfortably again.