Pain in the back of the knee can be caused by trauma, degenerative changes or inflammation in the knee joint. Depending on the cause, it can be of different intensity and location (pain under the knee in the front or pain under the knee in the back). Pain in the knee sometimes occurs with walking and bending, and in other cases it gets worse at night. How is pain under the knee treated, depending on the cause?

Pain under the knee – causes

Pain under the knee is a very common condition that affects not only young, physically active people, but also seniors. In order to determine the probable causes of such ailments, a more precise division of the pain topography should be made. Namely, it is of fundamental importance whether the above-mentioned pain under the knee is located more in front, behind, or perhaps the most annoying when walking. This is crucial for the initial interpretation of symptoms and for a possible evaluation of the causes of this condition.

Pain under the knee in front

Front knee painis very often associated with ananterior cruciate ligament rupture– ACL. This happens most often during unlucky skiing. In the moment of uncontrolled, explosive, large flexion in the joint combined with the lack of the ski unhooking, this damage occurs. The characteristic feature is then a clearly audible sound, which is compared to a broken branch.

Pain under the knee in front of you bending may also be the result chondromalacia of the patella, damage to the patellar ligament, it can be caused by a dislocation of the patella, jumper’s knee orgonarthrosis(degeneration of the knee joint).

Pain in the back of the knee (pain behind knee)

Pain in the back of the kneecan be a sign of an injury or injury. The most frequently suspected cause ispopliteal inflammation. The ailments then intensify when squatting, kneeling or bending. Another possibility is inflammation of the biceps muscle of the thigh. Most often caused by overload while running or cycling. The pain usually occurs on the outside of the joint and behind the knee.

It is also common damage to the meniscus. Among the causes, there is also inflammation of the gastrocnemius muscle. It is most often the result of overriding during toointense workouts. The complaints then occur in a similar localization as in the case of the previously described inflammatory changes (pain under the knees, pain under the knee in the back, radiating to the calf). The more rare possibilities include: popliteal aneurysm and extensive trauma to the knee osteoarticular elements.

Pain under the knee when walking

Pain under the knee when walking may indicate joint overload. Most often it is caused by the lack of work ergonomics and inadequate load on the locomotor system. In addition, knee pain while walking may be promoted by factors such as: bad footwear, improper running technique or simply a badly positioned bicycle saddle. Such situations are conducive to the formation of microtraumas and damage that may lead to the developmentof inflammatorysymptoms (pain, swelling, redness, joint warming and pain tenderness).

Another cause of leg pain under the knee may bebursitis. Prolonged, intense and violent training may turn out to be particularly favorable here.

Pain under the knee and the cyst

Pain under the knee may also indicatevaricose veins. In addition to the symptoms that appear at that time, the appearance of edema, especially in the evening, and vascular changes in the calf area are characteristic. It may also be caused by a cyst under the knee (Baker’s cyst). Usually the symptoms are most pronouncedwhen the knee extends(although they are also felt when flexing). A characteristic feature is the hardening of such a lesion as the extension in the knee increases. Pain under the knee can then also be generated when walking.

Pain under the knee – diagnosis

The diagnosisof knee painis primarily anamnesis. This means that the patient is subjected to a detailed interview in order to initially determine the cause of the ailments. Subsequently, the specialist conducts a physical examination. The procedure is based on visual and palpation assessment of the relevant structures. In addition, complaints (pain in the tendon under the knee, swelling, pain in the knee above the kneecap, pain in the front knee) may require non-invasive clinical tests.

Imaging diagnostics in the case of damage to the knee joint is an ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan and the most accurate – magnetic resonance imaging. Sometimes a diagnostic method in the form of exploratory artoscopy is also used.

Pain under the knee – treatment

Non-invasive treatment is symptomatic. For this purpose, pharmacological agents administered by various routes (orally, ointments, injections) are most often used. Their result is to get rid of inflammation and pain. If there is swelling due to excess fluid inside the joint (e.g. swelling under the back of the knee, swelling under the front of the knee), it may be necessary to evacuate the joint. Then the puncture is made and the accumulated liquid is drained, and the procedure itself is called puncture.In a situation where symptoms such as pain under the kneecap, pain under the knee radiating to the thigh, pain under the knee radiating to the calf increase and do not respond to conservative management, this may partially indicate the need for surgical procedures.

Pain under the knee – physiotherapy

In this case, the task of physiotherapy is to improve the quality of life byreducing pain and inflammation, and improving healing. For this purpose, a number of physical therapy treatments are used that show such effects. Examples include local cryotherapy, magnetic fields, electrotherapy or ultrasound.

Ailments such asswelling under the back of the knee, pain under the front of the knee when touched, or a knee cyst may also respond well to procedures such as:hirudotherapy, dry needling, pinopressure,manual therapy, sulfur baths, tensegration massage, rolling orflossing.

Home remedies for pain under the knee

Home remedies for pain under the kneeto help fight such ailments should include both the use of pain relief measures, as well as a number of activities related to limiting physical activity. Packages made of ice packs, performed 6–7 times a day for 10–15 minutes, have a very good analgesic (analgesic) effect. This results in a significant reduction in pain. The use of a bath with Epsom salt. According to experts, it allows you to relax, relieve inflammation. Often it is enough to take 2-3 baths to feel relief.

Applying aloe and comfrey compresses can be helpful. The use of pharmacological preparations containing sulfur can significantly affect the regeneration of possibly damaged parts of the joint. A well-balanced diet helps to supplement the deficiencies of minerals that are important for the proper functioning of the entire bone and joint system.