Table of contents:
- What causes pain behind the knee?
- 1. Cramps in the legs
- 2. Dislocated knee
- 3. Injury tendinitis of the knee
- 4. Iliotibial band syndrome
- 5. Baker's cyst
- 6.Arthritis (inflammatory joint disease)
- 7. Hamstring muscle injury
Pain behind the knee is not normal even if you are active in sports. This condition can actually be a sign of muscle injury, torn tissue, and inflammatory disease in the area. In order not to mistreat it, here are various conditions that can cause pain in the back of your knee
What causes pain behind the knee?
1. Cramps in the legs
Cramps in the legs can be the cause of pain behind the knee. People who experience disorders of the nerves in the feet, liver disease, infections, and dehydration are more prone to experiencing this.
The typical pain from cramps can last from a few seconds to ten minutes. Even if the pain has disappeared, you may still feel pain in the leg muscles for several hours afterward. Try applying warm compresses and relaxing your feet to treat cramps in the legs and prevent them from recurring.
2. Dislocated knee
Accidents, collisions, or falls can shift the position of the bones and connective tissue of your knee, causing pain. If the pain behind the knee is caused by you sprained it, get your condition checked by a doctor to prevent more severe complications.
3. Injury tendinitis of the knee
Also known as patellar tendonitis , knee tendinitis occurs when the connective muscles of the kneecap and calf bones are injured. Conditions that have other designations jumper's knee this usually occurs when you jump or change direction suddenly. Because of this, athletes and people who exercise actively are more prone to experience it.
4. Iliotibial band syndrome
Those of you who are very fond of cycling may need to be more careful, because you are more at risk of experiencing it iliotibial band syndrome . This condition is characterized by rubbing of the ligament tissue on the outside of the thigh with the bone at the back of the knee. Over time, this friction causes irritation, swelling, and pain behind the knee.
5. Baker's cyst
Baker's cysts form from a buildup of fluid in the joint lubricating behind the knee. This lubricating fluid is actually useful for protecting the knee joint from friction, but its production can become excessive if you have arthritis or knee injury.
The extra fluid then coagulates and forms a cyst. These cysts may still go away on their own. However, if the cyst is large enough and is accompanied by pain, you may need to consult a doctor for proper treatment.
6.Arthritis (inflammatory joint disease)
In people with arthritis, the cartilage tissue that supports the joints between joints is damaged, causing pain behind the knee. Based on the cause, arthritis can be divided into rheumatism and osteoarthritis.
Rheumatism occurs due to errors in the immune system so that it attacks the healthy tissue in the knee joints. Meanwhile, osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease in the joints that affects the elderly and obese people.
7. Hamstring muscle injury
The hamstring muscles are a group of muscles found at the back of the thigh. If you pull it too far, you can injure or tear the hamstring, causing pain, including in the back of the knee. The recovery process for the hamstring muscles can usually take up to months.
Pain behind the knee generally occurs as a result of an injury, torn muscle, or disease in the knee joint. You can relieve the pain with the RICE method which consists of resting (rest), icing (apply a cold compress), compressing (pressing the injured area with a bandage), and elevating (lifting the injured leg).
However, if the pain does not go away, you should see a doctor. The doctor can suggest further tests or determine the necessary therapy.