What causes pain behind the knee and what to do in each situation

Knee pain is not normal even in elderly people or athletes and therefore can indicate important changes that should be investigated by the orthopedic doctor. Pain located behind the knee may indicate changes such as Baker's cyst, hamstring muscle tendonitis, varicose veins, osteoarthritis or meniscus injury, for example. The diagnosis must be made by the doctor after physical evaluation and tests that cause pain. Treatment may involve taking anti-inflammatory drugs that control pain, and physical therapy sessions.

5 possible causes of pain behind the knee

The most common causes of pain behind the knee are:

1. Baker's cyst

Baker's cyst, also called a popliteal cyst, is a type of cyst filled with synovial fluid located in the region behind the knee, and is usually linked to other diseases such as arthritis, meniscus damage or cartilage wear and, therefore, does not it needs treatment, disappearing when the disease that causes it is controlled. The most common is that it is located between the medial gastrocnemius and the semimembranous tendon. Symptoms include pain behind the knee, there may be some limitation when bending the knee and localized swelling, which forms a painful and mobile 'ball' that can be palpated with the hands.

What to do: There is not always a need for treatment because of the cyst, but if symptoms such as pain or limited movement of stretching or bending the knee are present, physical therapy with electrotherapeutic equipment may be indicated. Aspiration of the liquid that makes up the liquid can also be an option indicated by the doctor. Find out more details on how to treat Baker's cyst.

2. Hamstring tendonitis or bursitis

Pain behind the knee can also be caused by tendonitis located in the hamstring tendons, which are the ones located in the posterior thigh. This region is more prone to injuries in people who practice intense physical activity, such as running, football or cycling, or who are athletes. The symptoms are localized pain in the tendon that is located in the region of the back of the knee, in the most lateral or medial part.

What to do: Performing stretching exercises for these muscles is indicated and placing a crushed ice compress leaving it to act for 20 minutes, just after stretching can contribute to reduce pain and discomfort. It is also recommended to avoid making great efforts, intense physical activity, such as running. Physical therapy can also help to reduce pain and discomfort and normalize daily activities. Check out the following video for some tips that can help you fight tendonitis faster:

3. Varicose veins

When the person has varicose veins in the legs and in the posterior region of the knee, that region can be more painful when there is a greater accumulation of blood in that area. Small varicose veins or 'vascular spiders' can cause pain at the end of the day and a feeling of heavy legs or 'coin'. Varicose veins are easily identified with the naked eye, but the doctor may order tests in the most severe cases for a more thorough evaluation, which may indicate the need to do, even, surgery.

What to do: You should go to the doctor for an evaluation, as in some cases it is possible to carry out a sclerotherapy treatment, which consists of eliminating varicose veins, bringing the cause of the pain behind the knee. If the area looks very swollen and in more severe pain than normal, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible, because it can be severe when the vessels rupture causing bleeding. The use of remedies for varicose veins can be indicated by the doctor and they bring good results, wear compression stockings and avoid staying in the same position for a long time, whether standing or sitting, are also important recommendations for everyday life. Check out some examples of remedies for varicose veins that the doctor may indicate.

4. Arthrosis

Knee arthrosis can also cause pain behind the knee when worn areas of the joint are located in the most posterior region. It is more common in people over 50 years of age and may be associated with other conditions, as well as being overweight, or weak in the thigh muscles.

What to do: The doctor can recommend taking anti-inflammatory drugs for 7-10 days in the most serious situations, when the pain is very intense, creams, ointments and gels that can be applied directly to the knees contribute to reduce the pain, and these can be purchased even without a prescription. To treat osteoarthritis, physiotherapy sessions with electrotherapeutic equipment are recommended to reduce inflammation and allow more efficient healing and strengthening exercises for the knee. See in the video below some exercises that can be performed to strengthen the knee in case of osteoarthritis:

5. Meniscus injury

The meniscus is a cartilage that is found in the middle of the knee between the bones of the femur and tibia. Among the symptoms of a meniscus injury are knee pain when walking, going up and down stairs, and depending on the region where the injury is located, the pain may be in front, behind or on the sides of the knee.

What to do: If you suspect a meniscus injury, you should make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor for an evaluation. Pain provocation tests can be performed, but the best test to view the meniscus is MRI. Treatment can be done with physiotherapy or surgery, in the most severe cases, where the affected part of the meniscus can be sewn or cut. Learn more details of physiotherapy and surgery for meniscal injury.

Remedies for pain behind the knee

Medicines in tablet form should not be taken without medical advice, but the doctor may recommend taking anti-inflammatory drugs for 7-10 days to reduce pain. Corticosteroid infiltration is also an option in the most severe cases when there is no relief of symptoms with medication in the form of pills + physiotherapy. Anti-inflammatory creams, ointments and gels can be used, such as diclofenac diethylammonium, arnica or methyl salicylate, which can be found easily in pharmacies and drugstores.

However, it is not enough to just take medicine or use ointments, it is important to fight the cause of the pain, and therefore, whenever you have knee pain that doesn’t stop in 1 week, or that is so intense that you can’t carry out your daily activities, you should seek an appointment with a doctor or physical therapist.

What doctor to consult

When there is a suspicion that the knee pain is related to the structures of that joint, the orthopedist is the most suitable doctor, when there is a suspicion that the pain is caused by varicose veins, the vascular doctor is more indicated, but when not if you can make an appointment with these doctors, the general practitioner can be appointed. The physiotherapist can be consulted in any situation, however he cannot prescribe drugs that are dependent on a prescription, or infiltrations.