Should I Be Worried About Pain Behind Knee?
Pain that occurs behind your knee can be confusing. You might feel a dull ache when you walk, or there might be tightness around the knee joint when you straighten your leg. Some people may feel a sharp pain that seems to appear suddenly. Because there are several muscles, tendons, and other structures around the knee, knee injuries may be caused by a number of different things.
If you are asking, "Should I be worried about pain behind knee?," there are many things that are not serious, and some that may simply heal on their own. In other cases, knee pain behind the knee can be very serious, especially when associated with a known injury or accompanied by swelling, warmth, or redness. In rare cases, pain behind the knee is associated with a blood clot, which requires emergency medical attention.
What Causes Knee Pain Behind the Knee (Posterior Knee Pain)?
Pain behind the knee, sometimes called posterior knee pain, can originate from the joint itself or the muscles, tendons, and other tissues surrounding it.
Possible causes include:
Muscle or tendon strains
Meniscus tear or injuries
Arthritis (Osteoarthritis and/or rheumatoid arthritis)
Ligament injuries
Overuse
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
How the pain began can provide an important clue. Pain that develops after running or exercising may have a different cause than acute knee pain and swelling that occurs without an obvious injury.
Could It Be a Muscle or Tendon Injury?
Yes. It's possible pain behind the knee could be a muscle or tendon injury. The hamstring muscles at the back of your thigh and calf muscles below the knee help support movement of the leg. Strains and irritation involving these muscles or their tendons can cause discomfort around the back of the knee.
You may notice pain after running, exercising, lifting, or suddenly increasing your activity level. The area might also feel tight or tender.
Minor muscle strains may improve with rest and temporary activity modification. Pain that persists, becomes worse, or makes it difficult to walk normally should be evaluated.
What Is a Baker's Cyst?
A Baker's cyst, or popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled sac that forms behind the knee.
It can develop when another problem inside the knee causes excess joint fluid. Arthritis and cartilage injuries are among the conditions that may be associated with a Baker's cyst.
You might notice a lump or feeling of fullness behind the knee along with stiffness or discomfort. Symptoms can become more noticeable when bending or straightening your leg.
Some Baker's cysts cause few symptoms. Others become uncomfortable enough to interfere with normal movement.
Because a cyst can be related to another knee condition, identifying the underlying cause may be important.
Can a Meniscus Injury Cause Pain Behind the Knee?
Yes. The menisci are pieces of cartilage inside your knee that help absorb shock and distribute weight.
A meniscus can tear during a twisting movement, particularly when your foot is planted. Degenerative tears may also occur as cartilage changes over time.
Depending on where the tear occurs, pain may be felt toward the back of the knee.
Other symptoms of these common knee injuries can include swelling, stiffness, clicking, catching, or difficulty fully bending or straightening the leg. A knee that repeatedly locks or catches should be evaluated rather than treated solely as routine soreness.
Could Arthritis Cause Pain Behind My Knee?
Arthritis can cause pain in different areas of the knee, including discomfort that may be felt toward the back of the joint.
Osteoarthritis involves changes to cartilage and other tissues within the joint. Symptoms often include stiffness, swelling, reduced range of motion, and pain during weight-bearing activities.
Arthritis may also contribute to the development of a Baker's cyst, which can create additional pressure or tightness behind the knee.
If your symptoms have developed gradually and are worse with certain activities or after periods of inactivity, an evaluation can help determine whether arthritis pain may be what's causing issues.
When Is Pain Behind the Knee an Emergency?
One reason not to dismiss unexplained pain behind the knee is the possibility of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
A DVT is a blood clot that develops in a deep vein, commonly in the leg. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, warmth, tenderness, or skin discoloration. However, symptoms vary, and you cannot determine whether you have a blood clot based on symptoms alone.
Seek prompt medical attention for unexplained leg pain accompanied by swelling, warmth, or redness, particularly if you have risk factors for blood clots.
A clot can become life-threatening if it travels to the lungs and causes a pulmonary embolism. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, fainting, or a rapid heartbeat require emergency medical attention. For more information, A trusted chiropractor in Albuquerque may be able to help.
What Other Knee Symptoms Should Concern You?
A blood clot isn't the only reason knee pain may need prompt attention.
Seek appropriate medical care if you experience severe pain after an injury, cannot put weight on the affected leg, or notice an obvious deformity.
You should also have persistent knee pain evaluated if:
Swelling continues or worsens
The knee repeatedly gives way
You cannot fully bend or straighten it
The joint locks or catches
Pain interferes with normal activities
Symptoms aren't improving
A hot, red, significantly swollen knee accompanied by fever or illness also warrants prompt medical evaluation.
What Can You Do for Mild Pain Behind the Knee?
If your pain is mild, began after activity, and isn't accompanied by concerning symptoms, temporarily reducing activities that aggravate the knee may help.
Cold therapy may be useful when soreness is accompanied by swelling, while gentle heat can sometimes help with muscle tightness or stiffness.
However, these measures primarily manage symptoms. If pain keeps returning, identifying why it is happening is more useful than repeatedly treating it at home.
Depending on the cause, treatment may involve exercises, activity modifications, physical therapy, chiropractic care, or evaluation by another healthcare provider. They can also advise on what is better for knee pain heat or cold.
Can Chiropractic Care Help With Pain Behind the Knee?
Chiropractic care may be appropriate for certain musculoskeletal causes of posterior knee pain.
An evaluation may consider not only the knee but also surrounding muscles and joints. The way your hips, ankles, and feet move can affect the forces placed on your knees during walking and other activities.
Depending on the cause, conservative treatment may focus on mobility, soft tissues, movement patterns, and therapeutic exercises.
If symptoms suggest a blood clot, significant structural injury, or another condition requiring medical care, appropriate medical evaluation or referral is necessary instead.
Don't Ignore Persistent Pain Behind Your Knee
Pain behind the knee doesn't automatically mean something serious is wrong. Muscle strains, overuse, arthritis, and Baker's cysts are among the potential explanations. However, persistent symptoms deserve attention, and sudden pain accompanied by swelling, warmth, or redness should be evaluated promptly.
If you're experiencing pain behind your knee in Albuquerque, Sandia Injury Center can evaluate musculoskeletal symptoms and help determine what may be contributing to your discomfort. Understanding the cause can help you determine the appropriate next steps and get back to moving more comfortably.