The back of the knee hurts a lot. There are a lot of things that could make your knee hurt or hurt all the time when you extend it. Tendons, cysts, torn ligaments, and nerve issues can all cause pain in back of knee when straightening leg. Why does the Back of your Knee Hurt When you Extend? Following are the few causes:
Baker’s Cyst
Baker’s cysts happen when too much synovial fluid builds up in the knee because of osteoarthritis, meniscal degeneration, or ligament tears. The joint capsule lets this fluid out, and it builds up in the back of your knee. Baker’s cysts can grow quickly or slowly, and they can cause these signs:
- A hard bump that you can press on behind your knee
- A pain when extending the leg
- Swelling in the knees or legs
- Back of the knee pain
Muscle Strain or Tears
When you extend your leg, pain in back of knee when straightening leg can be caused by a number of muscle strains or tears. Most of the time, they are:
- This is a big muscle in the calf that bends the knee and flattens the foot.
- Three muscles in the back of the thigh are called hamstrings. They flex the knee and expand the hip.
- There is a muscle in the back of the knee called the popliteus that helps the joint bend.
- Usually, strains or tears happen when you work out. Sports where you have to sprint or cut, like tennis and basketball, can be very dangerous if you aren’t flexible or don’t warm up. When you cut or jump, you often tear the gastrocnemius muscle.
Damage to Ligaments
Back-of-knee pain can be caused by multiple injuries to knee ligaments. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and the posterolateral corner ligaments are part of this. Usually, these structures are hurt quickly by traumatic events like falls or blows to the leg. In addition to pain in the back of the knee, ligament injuries often make the leg unstable and make it hard to walk.
Nerve Damage
Pain can also come from nerve damage in the back of the knee. It’s mostly the common peroneal nerve that’s hurt. Most of the time, this nerve is hurt by blows to the knee, which hurt many muscles and ligaments. Not only do common peroneal nerve injuries hurt the back of the knee, they can also:
- Have trouble walking
- Dropped foot (pain in the top foot)
- Some people feel tingling and numbness in their lateral leg or foot.
- Weak muscles in the foot or ankle
Meniscus Tear
The meniscus is a C-shaped ring of cartilage that protects and supports the knee. Most of the time, meniscal tears hurt the knee, but sometimes they hurt the back. In these situations, the posterior meniscus (horn) is most often torn. Tears in the meniscus can happen slowly or quickly after a twisting injury. Not only does this condition hurt, but it can also:
- Problems with walking
- Joint pain and swelling
- Getting caught or locking
- Not enough mobility
Blood Clots
Sometimes, the pain in the back of your knee could be caused by a blood clot or DVT. Some groups are more likely to be hurt, such as
- Women who are on birth control or hormone therapy
- People over 65
- People who are overweight or obese
- People who are pregnant or who have recently had surgery
- People who smoke
- These signs can be caused by medical emergencies like:
- Blood clots
- Pain or discomfort in the back of the knee or calf
- Skin that is red or discolored
- Swelling
- Veins that are thick or swollen
It is very important to see a doctor right away if you think you might have a blood clot.
When you Should Call a Doctor
If the pain is severe, the knee is swollen and inflamed, or the person gets a fever, they should see a knee pain doctor in Dallas. If someone has had blood clots in the past, they should also make an appointment to see a doctor. They should see a doctor right away if they have any symptoms of a DVT, such as pain, swelling, or red, itchy skin. People who think they might have a DVT should get help right away. This is because pulmonary embolisms can be caused by blood clots that get to the lungs. A pulmonary embolism happens when a blood clot gets in the way of a blood vessel in the lungs.
How to Take Care of Minor Knee Pain?
A lot of different kinds of back knee pain can be treated without surgery. If your doctor thinks you have a minor muscle strain, a degenerative meniscal tear, a low-grade ligament tear, or a Baker’s cyst, they will probably tell you to start with conservative treatments. Some common at-home treatments that don’t involve surgery are medicines that stop blood clots (blood thinners).
- Putting ice on the hurt area
- Avoiding things that make you feel bad
- NSAIDs are pain relievers and inflammation killers like Advil, Motrin (ibuprofen), or Aleve (naproxen).
- Physical therapy
- Supporting or immobilizing the body
If any of the following apply to your knee pain, you may need to see a pain management in Dallas:
- In the wake of a serious injury or car accident
- If your knees aren’t stable, you’re having trouble walking, or your legs feel weak,
- If you suspect the presence of deep vein thrombosis or a blood clot,
- If the pain in your knee is getting worse or not getting better with simple treatments.
How to Diagnose?
When a doctor examines your knee, they will usually ask you where the pain is coming from and if you have any other symptoms that go with it.
- Electromyography (EMG) to check how well your nerves are working.
- An MRI scan is used to check for damage to a ligament, tendon, or meniscus.
- A scan to look for blood clots or Baker’s cysts
- X-rays to check for broken bones
Conclusion
There are many reasons for pain in back of knee when straightening leg, such as blood clots, injuries to muscles or tendons, arthritis, or cysts. Many of these problems can be fixed with physical therapy, rest, and painkillers. But sometimes, surgery is the only way to fix the problem.
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