Pain behind the knee aka posterior knee pain can be due to a variety of problems. Often is establishes slowly with time indicating and underlying knee condition and other times it develops unexpectedly due to an injury.
Some peoples complain of a basic achy back of knee pain, others find their leg motions may be restricted by swelling or there may be a sharp/acute pain at the back of the knee.
Here we will take a look at the most common causes of acute pain behind the knee. By thinking of how your pain began, the typical symptoms and how your pain acts, you can work out what is triggering your pain. As you go through each summary, you can decide whether it seems like your issue or not. If it does, click on the link to discover more about treatment options and the recovery procedure. If it doesn’t sound rather like your pain, merely proceed to the next one.
Causes
1. Bakers Cyst & Pain at the back of the knee
A Bakers cyst is among the most typical causes of acute pain behind the knee.
What is it: Inflammation of the popliteal bursa (fluid filled sac) at the back of the knee It is the most common reason for pain behind the knee.
Symptoms: Swelling (like a small water balloon), tightness and pain behind the knee.
Annoying Activities: Bending and correcting the knee, walking, kneeling
Beginning: Can begin after a blow to the back of the knee but normally comes on progressively. Frequently associated with arthritis – fluid from the arthritis leakages back into the bursa causing it to swell
Treatment: Ice, exercises, goal, injection, electrotherapy and periodically surgery
Recovery: Can take a couple of months for the pain behind knee to calm down and they have a tendency to repeat if not dealt with effectively
2. Posterior Cartilage/Meniscus Tear & Pain at the back of the knee
A meniscus tear can cause severe pain behind the knee.
What is it: Tear at the back of the cartilage lining the joint
Symptoms: Pain behind the knee, swelling, locking, instability, trouble aligning the knee
Aggravating Activities: Walking, running, squatting, stairs esp going up
Beginning: Can occur suddenly with a force through the knee, abrupt twisting of the knee or gradually through wear and tear
Treatment: exercises, tubigrip, knee brace and sometimes surgery
Recovery: Can take months to recover as the meniscus has a bad blood supply, which slows healing
3. Arthritis & Pain at the back of the knee
Arthritis is a typical cause of posterior knee pain.
What is it: Changes in the bone normally caused by wear and tear (osteoarthritis) or often by inflammation (rheumatoid arthritis).
Symptoms: Morning stiffness, pain, swelling, clicking/grinding, minimized leg movements.
Aggravating Activities: Worse after extended rest, activity, cold weather.
Onset: Symptoms progressively begin over time. Most typical over the age of 50.
Treatment: Exercises, knee brace, heat, ice, acupuncture, weight reduction, walking aids, gel knee pads, cushioned footwear, medication, injections.
Recovery: The modifications in the bone from arthritis can not be reversed, however treatment aims to lower pain, enhance function and prevent wear and tear.
4. Hamstring Injury & Pain at the back of the knee
What is it: A tear in among the hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh.
Symptoms: General achy pain in back of knee where hamstring tendon attaches to the bone. Sharp pain behind knee with unexpected movements.
Aggravating Activities: Bending the leg, abrupt acceleration or deceleration when moving.
Onset: Sudden onset with an injury.
Treatment: PRICE, exercises, massage, tubigrip.
Recovery: Usually takes 6-12 weeks to totally recuperate.
5. Knee Sprain & Pain at the back of the knee
A knee sprain can cause acute pain behind the knee.
What is it: Overstretching or tearing one of the ligaments in the knee.
Symptoms: General pain, swelling, bruising, occasional paving the way and/or reduced movement.
Aggravating Activities: Depends on the seriousness however can be any exercise or movement of the knee.
Beginning: Sudden twisting motions or a force through the knee.
Treatment: PRICE, exercises, tubigrip, knee brace.
Recovery: There are 3 grades of knee sprain depending upon how much damage there is. It can take anything from 2 weeks to 3 months to totally recuperate, depending on the severity of the injury.
