What Is Posterior Knee Pain?
The knee is your body's largest joint and among the most vulnerable to damage. It is composed of bones that can break or move out of place, as well as cartilage, tendons, and ligaments that can be strained or torn. Multiple muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and other tissues make up the knee, which is a very complex joint. Because the knee joint has many moving parts, it is very usual for people to suffer various types of discomfort in and around it.
Ligament sprains, muscle or tendon strains, and bone fractures are common causes of acute pain below the knee. Many people suffer pain immediately behind the region of the knee, but because there are many possible causes, they frequently obtain inaccurate diagnoses. With rest and care, some knee injuries recover on their own. Others necessitate surgeries or other medical procedures. Pain might be a symptom of a long-term illness like arthritis, which causes the knee to deteriorate over time.
What Are the Causes Behind Posterior Knee Pain?
Depending on the reason, diagnosing pain behind the knee might be simple and clear or challenging. Some of the most common reasons for posterior knee discomfort are as follows:
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Deep Vein Thrombosis
A blood clot formed deep in a vein causes deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The clot is most commonly found in the thigh, calf, or pelvis, but it can occur anywhere in the leg, including behind the knee. Deep vein thrombosis is a potentially fatal disorder. Blood flow can be blocked if a piece of the blood clot bursts off and passes back to the lungs. If the clot remains in place, it might damage the veins' valves, resulting in discomfort, swelling, ulceration, and other dangerous symptoms.
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Tumor
Tumors are uncommon causes of knee discomfort; however, both benign and malignant tumors can grow near the knee. Liposarcoma is a malignancy of the fat tissue that can develop behind the knee. Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that develops in the long bones of the leg. Synovial sarcoma is a misnomer for a malignancy that occurs in large joints but is not caused by synovial fluid.
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Infections
Aside from infection in the joint of the knee, there are a number of different illnesses that can cause posterior knee pain, including infection of the skin, known as cellulitis, inflammation of the bone or osteomyelitis, and infection of the bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs known as septic bursitis. The causes and symptoms of these infections vary, but most infections include discomfort, redness, heat, and swelling.
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Injury
Back knee portion discomfort can be caused by damage to a muscle, ligament, tendon, or other surrounding connective tissue. These injuries might be severe or result from overuse. Three injuries that can cause pain at the back of the knee are meniscus tears, hamstring injuries, and injuries to the posterior cruciate ligament or PCL.
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Baker’s Cyst
A Baker's cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms behind the knee as a result of an injury to the knee joint and its soft tissues. Though the fluid is a harmless natural reaction, it takes up space behind the knee, reducing a person's ability to stand, squat, or do tasks that require knee flexion. Baker's cyst can cause posterior knee pain in some persons. It presents itself as when the person feels a "ball behind their knee.” The soreness behind the knee is caused by the surrounding tissues and structures compensating during activities that necessitate knee flexion.
While the cyst is relatively harmless, it causes enough discomfort that the biomechanics must accommodate for limited knee flexion. Fortunately, treating a Baker's cyst usually does not take long. To increase motion and functionality, conservative methods such as ice, wrapping the knee in a bandage, and physical therapy can usually help. The fluid may need to be aspirated in some situations, but it may return depending on the underlying pathology that caused the swelling initially.
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Arthritis
The term arthritis refers to a group of disorders that affect the joints. Arthritis in the knee, including that of the back region of the knee, can cause pain. Osteoarthritis, a kind of arthritis caused by aging or overuse, is the most common cause of knee discomfort. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause knee pain, although it usually affects both knees at the same time. Gout is an arthritic condition that starts in the big toe and progresses to the knees. An infection that settles in a joint, generally the knee, causes septic or infectious arthritis.
What Are the Symptoms of Posterior Knee Pain?
The symptoms of discomfort behind the knee can vary due to the fact that it can be caused by a variety of diseases. The following are the most common signs and symptoms:
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Pain: There are various sorts of pain experienced. Sharp, dull, or scorching pain is possible. It can happen suddenly or can occur gradually. It could be continual or just happens when weight is being put on the leg, or the knee is bent. This information can assist a doctor in determining the cause of your knee pain.
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Warmth and Redness: The back portion of the knee may feel heated when touched, or redness may be apparent in specific conditions. The person can possibly be suffering from a fever. If they merely had pain, these signs would indicate a different cause.
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Stiffness and Swelling: The knee may appear enlarged or crooked. If weight is put on the knee, it may lock, pop, or collapse, making it impossible to bend. These signs and symptoms usually suggest that the person has been hurt, although there are alternative possibilities.
How to Diagnose Posterior Knee Pain?
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When it comes to assessing posterior knee discomfort caused by injury or arthritis, a physical examination is crucial. The doctor will move the legs to determine which movements cause pain and to examine rotation, flexion, and stability.
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If the doctor suspects an infection, a tumor, or deep vein thrombosis, they will use a physical examination, lab tests, and imaging techniques. A doctor can typically diagnose a Baker's cyst by appearance, but an imaging procedure may be used to confirm the diagnosis.
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X-ray, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, arthrography, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are some of the imaging modalities that the doctor may utilize. The doctor may take a sample of the fluid from around the knee for laboratory testing.
How Is Posterior Knee Pain Treated?
The diagnosis determines how to treat posterior knee discomfort. Rest, medicines, injections, surgery, or physical therapy may be used to address the problems. Some Baker's cysts disappear on their own, while others require treatment, which may include cyst drainage. Other reasons for pain behind the knee, such as an infection, tumors, or deep vein thrombosis, will necessitate highly tailored treatment.
Conclusion:
Just because you are having discomfort behind your knee does not mean you have one of these exact conditions which are mentioned in the article. There are numerous other causes and diseases that might cause comparable symptoms. But, perhaps, it is essential to determine the type of pain someone is experiencing and its possible severity. For concerns about general posterior knee discomfort, what your specific symptoms imply, and what viable alternatives exist for long-term relief, a local physical therapist is the best resource to consult.
