To determine why there is knee pain, it is crucial to comprehend how the joints work. This joint an important joint because of its anatomical location as well as its role.
There are a variety of hard as well as soft tissues join on this joint to carry the the body and permit mobility.
Ailment or injury to cartilage, ligaments, tendons muscles or bones (kneecap or thigh bones etc.) may manifest as knee pain. The frequency of knee pain was measured at 46.2 percent in a study.
The site of knee pain is sufficient to establish the diagnosis that is different for the root cause.
The pain of the knee posterior is a typical complaint in health facilities. It is a pain that occurs behind the knee after you straighten your leg may be caused by a variety of knee injuries.
Understanding The Anatomy Of Pain Behind Knee
Before we begin to discuss the reasons for the pain in the posterior knee it is vital to have a sense of the components that comprise the back of our knee.
A vast web of soft tissues i.e. ligaments, muscles and tendons are found in the rear of the knee, which provide assistance to knee joints. They can be active or passive.
The knee ligaments that are important (passive stabilizers) include:
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
The ligaments join your knee with the bones of the leg (tibia).
Active stabilizers of joints include:
- Hamstring muscles
- Popliteus muscle
- Extensor muscles
Causes Of Pain Behind Knee
A list of knee problems which can cause discomfort on the inside of the knee follows:
Hamstring Injury
According to an study that was published in the year 2016 the hamstring injury is rising in athletes and players since. The particular problem is the main reason for keeping athletes away from the field.
Hamstringrefers to the trica muscle groups that traverse to the back part of the thigh. The muscles involved include the semitendinosus muscles, the semimembranosus muscles, and the biceps fascia muscle.
Injuries from sports or overstretching to any muscle is referred to as a hamstring injury. If the biceps-femoris tendon is affected, it is more precisely identified as biceps tendonitis biceps the femoris tendinopathy.
This kind of injury to soft tissues is related to knee pain that is posterolateral. If muscles tear, the healing process can be tiring and painful process.
Read more about Reasons for pain in left arm
Calf Strain
The lower part of your lower leg i.e. the calf muscle is comprised by two muscles.
- Soleus muscle
- Gastrocnemius muscle
The strenuous activities of standing and running for a long time (such as long tennis) can cause injuries to the muscles involved and cause tears in the muscle of the gastrocnemius.
Senior athletes and those who have been injured in the leg must exercise caution since they are at an increased chance of developing calf strain.
Gastrocnemius tendonitis/tendinopathy causes pain in the posterior region while soleus injuries are felt on the lateral side of the knee.
Arthritis can be a source of knee pain
Chronic degenerative disorders of the joints and bones may manifest as musculoskeletal symptoms.
Osteoarthritis of knee is a common condition in people over the age of 50 which is characterised by joint pain and stiffness, as well as diminished level of living.
It’s the most common reason for the pain that you feel when straightening your leg. It isn’t just osteoarthritis that cause the pain in the posterior knee.
According to the findings of a study that looked at rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, they are also known to have painful knees in the posterior. Psoriatic arthritis and psoriatic arthritis may suffer from the same symptoms.
Sprains
Knee injuries are commonplace in the young, active members of society. A leg sway or striking a hard kick during football can result in irritation and pain in the rear of the knee.
Sprains are a common occurrence in daily life and any pain that results from a sprain typically is relieved by the required amount of rest.
Patellar Tendonitis
Also known as jumper’s kneepatellar tendonitis is an indication caused by a tendon injury. It is not to be confused with runner’s elbow which causes pain on front of knee.
The patellar tendon is a crucial structure which is the link between kneecap (patella) to the shinbone.
Injuries from sports (mostly) or strenuous actions can trigger microtears within the tendon that expand due to.
The statistics show that 40% to 50 percent of players have the problem of jumper’s knees. Therefore, it is considered an overuse injury.
It may start as a mild ache, but it transforms into a debilitating pain when the tendon is further damaged. The most noticeable pain is when standing up straight.
Chondromalacia
Another issue that can affect the knees is the chondromalacia(cartilage breaking down). This condition is typically caused by anterior knee pain However, severe damage caused by arthritis over time could result in the development of discomfort while straightening your leg.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury/Tear
An in-depth analysis of postolateral knee injuries has shown ligament injuries and tear as an important reason.
Anterior ligament injury to the cruciate is a different sport-related injury that may cause discomfort in the leg’s extension.
In extreme cases there could be tears or tearing of the ACL.
The most evident symptoms of an ACL injury include pain on stretching/straightening the leg which interferes with walking. The swelling due to ligament injuries is also apparent.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury (PCL injury)
Repeatedly intense sports (overstretching your knee) may also cause injury to the ligament of posterior crutch however, the odds of this happening are less (as when compared with ACL).
Injuring the PCL isn’t an easy task. Most people who aren’t athletes suffer PCL injury following a severe hit on an area in front of your knee.
The ligament may be damaged by pressure that causes extreme pain in the backside. Pain in the knees posterior to the knee is an medical sign in the case due to PCL injury.
Meniscal Tears as a source of knee pain
The damage to cartilage in the knee area could cause knee pain in the back. Meniscusis special cartilage that helps stabilize the joint, while also providing cushioning effect.
In the case of overly enthusiastic athletes, they can damage the meniscus when they squat. When the cartilage weakens and prone to injury as we age, the increase in age is a risk cause for meniscus tears.
Meniscus tear can leave patients with extreme pain across different areas that are located in your knee. In the study that included 69% of the patients had medial, lateral and posterior knee pain.
There have been reports of the sound of popping sounds when straightening or moving the leg. The condition is typically not apparent initially, but it gradually gets more painful.
Fractures And Misalignment
A dislocated or misaligned patella could cause leg straightening painful for you.
The knee is prone to stress fractures as well as leg bone (femur and tibia.) can cause the back of the knee painful and painful.
Research studies suggest that fixing the damaged, obliterated, and avulsed tissues eases the pain in the posterolateral knee.
Fractures of the femur as well as the tibia are referred to as flopping knee injury that require treatment.
Baker’s Cyst (Popliteal Cyst)
The knee’s specialized structures known as bursathat reduce friction and cushion the joint. These structures are vulnerable to develop cysts.
A cyst that is located on the back of the knee could affect your daily activities and daily activities.
A common fluid-filled cyst growing on the rear of knees is known as the popliteal cyst (due to its location in the fossa of popliteal).
If you’re a woman (aged more than 40) suffering from knee pain, there’s an excellent chance that it is caused by the baker’s cyst.
It’s sometimes referred to as a baker’s cyst , and causes discomfort in the rear of the knee when bent the leg. The onset of this disorder is often attributed to the degeneration of the soft tissue (cartilage tear) and arthritis.
The most frequent manifestations of baker’s syphilis include discomfort in the back of the knee, accompanied by stiffness. The swelling can be seen in most patients.
Many complain of being unable bend or straighten the knee.
Studies has suggested that cysts could be a result of trauma or juvenile Idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and are usually resolved in a natural way.
A popliteal cyst is typically related to ailments like:
- Meniscus tear
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
Deep Venous Thrombosis is a cause of knee pain
The human body is numerous veins that run throughout its course.
The legs are connected to an intricate network of deep veins which may develop blood clots (thrombus). The condition of blood clots forming in the veins deep to the legs is referred to as deep vein the thrombosis (DVT).
DVT may cause knee pain, mainly at the back of the knee. Workers who perform tasks that require prolonged sitting (such in the use of guards) are more at risk of developing DVT.
The symptoms are an increase in temperature and swelling in the area.
It is important to be identified and treated promptly since it may result in the formation of clots within arteries with a high risk of injury like the lung (pulmonary embolism) or the heart (myocardial infarction).
A knee injury could result in DVT. A study conducted in 2010 identified a young man aged 26 suffering from DVT caused by an infected knee.
Infection
The most common cause of knee infections results from the presence of synovial fluid within the joint of knee. This joint is known as a Septic joint.
Infection of the knee joint typically results from surgery. The most prominent symptom of a post-surgical knee injury is extreme pain, accompanied by redness, swelling and stiffness.
Referred Pain
There may be pain at the back of your knee, even if there is no problem with the knee itself. This type of pain is called refer knee pain.
It is a painful sensation that is felt (has its source) in a different part within the human system (lower lower leg, the shins hip, etc.) however it is felt in the knee area.
Diagnosing Pain Behind Knee
The diagnosis is determined by various tests and results from imaging. The doctor generally takes the complete medical background of the patient followed by a physical exam.
Sportsmen and athletes are prone to soft tissue (cartilage and meniscus, tendon and) inflamation or tear (tear). The elderly suffer from painful knees in the posterior due to an injury or cysts.
The X-ray system, MRIs as well as ultrasonography can be used to find the cause of abruptions.
Treatment Options
The majority of cases of knee pain in the back, when stretching the leg are eliminated simply by resting the legs. It is possible to follow easy methods at home to rid yourself of knee pain in the posterior:
Home Remedies (RICE Principle)
- Rest (R)
- Application of ice for 20 minutes (I)
- Compression (via a bandage)
- Lift the knee with pillows
Crutches can be used to prevent weight from putting pressure on the knee. The over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen may also provide relief.
Pharmacological And Surgical Management
A conservative approach is suggested for instances of injury to ligaments (ACL, PCL, etc.). Meniscal tear repair can be done in the case of severe pain.
The treatment of the gastrocnemius and muscles of the hamstring involves a variety of procedures such as:
- NSAIDs
- Immobilization
- Cryotherapy
- Electrophysical therapy
- Surgery (in extreme cases)
The majority of the time, the orthopaedic doctor prefers to tackle the problem in a more moderate manner. The use of aggressive surgery is reserved for serious cases that are not refractory.
Advanced osteoarthritis can be treated using intra-articular injections of corticosteroids. The most effective treatment method of Baker’s Cyst is the sclerotherapy.
Therapy for physical injuries is an efficient treatment method for relieving the pain of the knee’s posterior.
Conclusion
A throbbing pain at the back of the knee after moving the leg forward can result from a variety of causes. Athletes who are young and eager to play can injury the soft tissues of the knee joint when they exercise or play.
The most common injury to soft tissues that result in knee pain in the posterior region include ligament injuries, sprains (ACL PCL, MCL, ACL etc. ) Hamstring injuries, patellar tendonitis and calf strain, as well as meniscal tears.
Chronic arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) can also be linked to knee pain.
Baker’s cyst may also be an underlying cause of stiffness and pain at the knee.
Stress fractures, infections, deep vein thrombosis may cause pain and stiffness on the back of knee. The best course of treatment is to adhere to the RICE principle (Rest, Ice Compression and elevation).
The most effective treatment is conservative but surgery may be needed to repair ligaments that have been torn or tendons, cysts, and more severe arthritis cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does the Back of My Knee Hurt When I Straighten my Leg?
There are several causes that can make the rear of your knee become painful when a person moves their legs.
This could be due to the formation of blood clots or blood vessels, injuries to muscles, injuries on the tendon or arthritis in the knee or formation of cysts.
But, in most instances, these signs can be alleviated by taking proper rest, icing the area affected idea, and taking medication for pain.
Should I Be Worried About Pain Behind the Knee?
The knee pain may be due to a variety of causes, such as the development of blood clots, the formation of cysts, injuries to the tendon, injury to the muscles or arthritis.
Although some of the causes might be less severe however, others could be more serious and require an immediate medical consult.
This is why it’s frequently recommended to see with a physician when a person notices a sudden and unpredictably painful sensation in the knee area.
How Do You Know if You Tore Something Behind Your Knee?
The signs of a tear in the tissues are usually marked by intense and sudden pain. The pain could be of the most intense intensity when an patient tries to twist or turn their knee.
It is possible that they have difficulties in straightening their knees completely. Therefore, if a person feels a sudden pain or feeling as if their knee is locked into position, they’re likely to suffer from the result of a tear to their tissue.
How Do You Treat Tendon Pain Behind the Knee?
Patients who feel tendon pain in the knee could be advised to rest. This includes avoiding intense physical activity, and utilizing the knee as much as it is.
A patient may be required to rest their knees for 20 minutes at a stretch.
This can be done several times per day. An elastic bandage frequently suggested to keep the tissues in place and stop swelling as well as improper deformation of the body to make the condition worse.
If a patient is suffering from swelling, they could be instructed to keep their leg elevated using an incline stool on a chair directly in the front or with a pillow under the feet while lying down.
What Is The Back Of the Leg Behind the Knee Called?
The region at the rear of your leg and more specifically, behind the knee is also known as the popliteal fosse. It is a diamond-shaped area formed by muscles in the posterior leg and the thighs. This is a vital location through which the leg and thigh muscles traverses.
What is it? When your back Leg hurts behind the Knee?
A person who complains frequently of pain in their legs as well as behind their knees could be suffering from osteoarthritis.
This is because this sign is typically experienced by patients suffering from osteoarthritis due to the increase in inflammatory activity within their joint.
But, it is important to consult a doctor who will assess the patient and give them an precise diagnosis.