Four Things A Pain Behind The Knee Could Mean
Having a pain behind your knee could mean anything from a subtle thing such as a muscle strain to something more serious like arthritis.
To determine what your pain behind the knee means, pay attention to the type of pain you experience since some causes for pain behind the knee warrant a trip to the emergency room. Watch out for blood clots, numbness and weakness in the leg, and fevers and redness associated with swelling.
Blood clots should be quickly evaluated, and tingling or numbness that makes it hard to walk are also a sign to go to the ER. Although swelling in the knee has many causes, in rare cases, it could be a sign of an infection, so it’s a good idea to seek immediate care.
Meniscus Tear
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries. The meniscus act as “shock absorbers” between your thigh and shinbones. If you have a torn meniscus, you might feel a “pop” along with pain, stiffness, and catching or locking in the knee.
Arthritis and gout
Arthritis and gout could cause pain behind the knee as well as a few other types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type and breaks down the cartilage or cushioning between joints.
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation and Johns Hopkins Medicine, Psoriatic arthritis also contributes to knee pain as well as autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Baker’s cyst
It’s named after the surgeon who first described it, William Morrant Baker. Baker’s cyst as a collection of fluid that goes from the front of the knee to the back of the knee and is accompanied by arthritis or a meniscus tear.
Baker’s cyst is often a sign of an underlying knee problem and can be quite uncomfortable. “This will typically go away with management of the underlying source of the swelling; treating the arthritis, etc.
Calf or hamstring strain or cramp
Sudden activity and overuse are two leading causes of pain behind the knee due to a calf or hamstring strain or cramp. Movements that require pushing off or severe knee bending cause this calf and hamstring pain, respectively.
Both conditions can be managed with ice, rest, gentle stretching and anti-inflammatories; however, you should seek care if there is swelling or persistent pain associated with this to rule out blood clots.