Rest, ice, compression, and elevation
If you have sudden, intense pain in the back of your knee, the doctor may recommend that you rest and apply ice to your knee. In some cases, your doctor may also ask you to elevate (prop up) your leg while you’re sitting down to help improve the blood flow in your leg.
Why is the back of my knee so painful?
Two common conditions that cause pain behind the knee are: a popliteal cyst , also called Baker’s cyst. posterior cruciate ligament injury.
Why the back of my knee hurts?
Some of the most common causes of pain behind the knee (posterior knee pain) include, Baker’s cyst, arthritis, infection, injury, tumor, or deep vein thrombosis . Since the knee is the largest and most complex joint in the body, it makes sense that it might hurt sometimes.
What does pain behind knee mean?
Behind knee pain can be due to a fairly mild condition, such as a torn hamstring that responds well to rest and self-care measures. However, behind knee pain can result from a Baker’s cyst or deep vein thrombosis . With both conditions you may have pain, swelling, and bruising behind the knee and calf.
What tendon is behind the knee?
The hamstring muscles are the muscles in the back of the thigh that allow the knee to bend (knee flexion). The hamstring muscles turn into tendons as they come down and attach at the back of the knee. They can get tight and inflamed. This can cause a hamstring muscle strain, which is pain at the back of the thigh.
What does a blood clot in the back of your knee feel like?
The symptoms of a popliteal vein thrombosis include pain, swelling, and tenderness around the area of the clot . While the vein is closer to the surface of the skin in the back of the knee, a clot can form anywhere in the blood vessel. The skin over the affected area may also feel warm to the touch.
What does it mean when the back of your leg hurts behind the knee NHS?
A Baker’s cyst , also called a popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled swelling that develops at the back of the knee. Credit: It’s caused when the tissue behind the knee joint becomes swollen and inflamed.
How do I know if my knee pain is serious?
- Extreme pain.
- Swelling.
- Large wounds.
- Knee deformity.
- Feeling or hearing a popping when injury occurs.
- Joint instability.
- Inability to bear weight on affected leg.
- Inability to straighten leg.
Why is my knee pain worse when I lie down?
When you sleep, your body is at rest. The hours of laying still can cause your joints to feel stiff and less flexible when you wake. While overexertion can cause knee pain, some moderate amount of activity helps keep your joints healthy.
How do you check yourself for a torn meniscus?
- Stand on your affected leg.
- Bend it slightly.
- Twist your body away from your leg.
- Twist your body toward the leg.
- Pain on torsion away from the leg may indicate a medial meniscus injury – the inside meniscus.
Can you pull a tendon behind your knee?
The knee is your body’s biggest joint and one of its most injury-prone areas. It’s made up of bones that can fracture or move out of joint, as well as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons that can strain or tear .
Does sciatica cause pain behind the knee?
Knee pain may be a symptom of sciatica
Common knee symptoms that you may experience when you have sciatica include: A warm sensation, sharp pain, or dull ache in the front, side, and/or back of the knee.
Can you walk with a torn tendon in your knee?
If the tendon is torn, it can become difficult to walk or carry out other everyday activities. If you have a serious tear, you will probably need to have surgery to regain your full range of movement.
Can you get a blood clot in the back of your leg behind your knee?
A blood clot behind the knee is a type of venous thromboembolism . It is a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications, such as a pulmonary embolism. The popliteal vein runs behind the knee and transports blood back up to the heart.
Why is the back of my knee tight?
Tightness in the knee can occur as a result of injury to the tendons, ligaments, or cartilage inside the knee . In some cases, it may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Anyone who experiences tightness in one or both knees should see a doctor for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
