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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Pain Behind The Knees Indicate?

I’ve had pain on back of left leg for several weeks behind knee. There’s a lump that comes and goes. It’s a dull ache that makes my calf and lower thigh feel a burning sensation. Lump is outer left where kne bends. Back of leg. It’s making me miserable. I get some relief stretching leg out. I’m housebound and often don’t move around much. Eg. Have not left house but once in ten days.
Fri, 1 Dec 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Some knee injuries eventually heal on their own with rest and care. Others require surgery or other medical interventions. Sometimes pain is a sign of a chronic condition like arthritis that damages the knee gradually over time.

Here are some of the conditions that can cause pain in the back of your knee,

In addition to pain behind the knees, you may also experience some of these symptoms:

Swelling behind the knee
A lump behind the knee
Fluid around the knee
Clicking knee
Sensation that the knee is locking
It is important to note these symptoms to discuss with your physician during your visit.

CAUSES;

The following are the most common causes of behind knee pain:

Baker's cyst- Also known as a popliteal cyst, a Baker's cyst is one of the most common causes of pain behind the knee. Throughout the body there are fluid-filled sacs called bursa which help lubricate and cushion our body parts as we move. When the bursae behind the knee (popliteal bursa) becomes inflamed, this is known as a Baker's cyst.

Arthritis - The natural wear and tear of our knee joint (osteoarthritis) or inflammation in the knee joint (rheumatoid arthritis) may cause pain behind knees. The pain may be more severe in the morning, when the joint is the most stiff.

Meniscus Tear - The menisci of the knee are the pieces of cartilage that cushions the knee joint. When the posterior portion of the meniscus is torn, it may cause pain behind the knee (or all over the knee with more acute pain toward the rear).

Other causes - Direct trauma to the knee may also cause behind knee pain. Your doctor will diagnose whether it is a knee sprain (overstretched ligaments) or a ligament tear
Treatment may include:

PRICE (protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation)
Over the counter medications to reduce inflammation, such as aspirin or ibuprofen (NSAIDs)
Wearing a knee braces
Exercise
Physical therapy
Weight loss
Cortisone injections (to reduce pain and inflammation)
Surgery

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What Does Pain Behind The Knees Indicate?

Some knee injuries eventually heal on their own with rest and care. Others require surgery or other medical interventions. Sometimes pain is a sign of a chronic condition like arthritis that damages the knee gradually over time. Here are some of the conditions that can cause pain in the back of your knee, In addition to pain behind the knees, you may also experience some of these symptoms: Swelling behind the knee A lump behind the knee Fluid around the knee Clicking knee Sensation that the knee is locking It is important to note these symptoms to discuss with your physician during your visit. CAUSES; The following are the most common causes of behind knee pain: Baker s cyst- Also known as a popliteal cyst, a Baker s cyst is one of the most common causes of pain behind the knee. Throughout the body there are fluid-filled sacs called bursa which help lubricate and cushion our body parts as we move. When the bursae behind the knee (popliteal bursa) becomes inflamed, this is known as a Baker s cyst. Arthritis - The natural wear and tear of our knee joint (osteoarthritis) or inflammation in the knee joint (rheumatoid arthritis) may cause pain behind knees. The pain may be more severe in the morning, when the joint is the most stiff. Meniscus Tear - The menisci of the knee are the pieces of cartilage that cushions the knee joint. When the posterior portion of the meniscus is torn, it may cause pain behind the knee (or all over the knee with more acute pain toward the rear). Other causes - Direct trauma to the knee may also cause behind knee pain. Your doctor will diagnose whether it is a knee sprain (overstretched ligaments) or a ligament tear Treatment may include: PRICE (protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation) Over the counter medications to reduce inflammation, such as aspirin or ibuprofen (NSAIDs) Wearing a knee braces Exercise Physical therapy Weight loss Cortisone injections (to reduce pain and inflammation) Surgery I hope you happy with information kindly rate it. thank you.