Do you feel an annoying pain behind your knee? It can often hinder and hamper your routine. However, it is not a serious condition, unless you are feeling the pain for long.
Almost 15 million people were estimated to be suffering from posterior knee pain (by CDC in 2016), with 25% being adults still in their 20s and 30s.
The knee is one of the largest known joints in the human body. It has many muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, which can become painful over time or due to pressure or injury.
Causes
This is a prevalent condition reported widespread by many people. Both men and women say complaints of posterior knee pain. Often this pain is accompanied by a couple of other symptoms such as:
- Swelling
- Lumps
- Fluid accumulation
- Knee click
- Knee lock
A correct diagnosis of what all conditions are causing you trouble can be helpful in treating you better.
The most common reasons known to cause pain behind the knee are:
Leg Cramp
The tightening of knee muscles when there is rigidity and is still not relaxed from the pressure can lead to posterior knee pain. Pregnant women or heavily weighted people may experience it more.
Baker's Cyst
Fluid pockets are formed in this condition. Usually, the size is small and so undetectable initially. Still, as it grows, the surrounding muscles start becoming painful and painful.
Osteoarthritis
With age, the joints wear down, and people start feeling discomfort. People experience loss of movement and problems in bending the knee. In some cases, joint inflammation can cause unbearable pain.
Runner's Knee
When people run, the cartilage wears off, and bones start rubbing each other. People experience weakness and shivering in this condition. Often self- treatable in a few days, this problem can get serious if care is not taken correctly and cartilages wear off further due to prolonged running.
Hamstring Injury
Tear or strain in one or many muscles in the thigh's back can cause this pain. When the muscles push too far, the pressure felt is the hamstring. In some cases, the condition may worsen, and the muscles can pull too much and take several months to heal.
Meniscus Tears
The meniscus is a cartilage piece on each side of the knee. The movements, gestures, or exercises that need knee sidewards' stiff movement can often wear off the cartilage and lead to this condition. People hear a pop sometimes as a result of the meniscus tear.
Precautions
It is highly recommended to take due care of your knee muscles from a very early age. However, people in their 50s or later are believed to have joints and knee issues. But even the people in their 20s and 30s can have posterior knee pain. The reasons can vary anywhere between heavy workout to careless lifestyle or some injury.
It is highly recommended to have sufficient muscles around the knee. Avoiding aggressive exercise and taking ample supplements to aid muscle growth can be good too.
Remedies
The most advised technique to relieve pain behind the knees is RICE. Resting properly, Icing the affected area, Compressing and massaging the paining muscles, and Elevating the legs.
These methods are painless and have no side-effects. You can also use a soothing pain balm like Premium Hemp Cooling Balm. While these methods can be beneficial, using a balm to massage gently is prescribed even by the medical practitioner. It is proven to be very effective in treating from mild to severe pains.