There are various reasons for why people feel pain in the back of the knee. One of which is the natural aging of a person. Often times, elderly people suffer pain in the back of the knee since the body has naturally become weaker and has worn out over time.
Our knee joint is the largest joint in the body and is also one of the most complicated. Thus it needs to become strong to take enough weight and lock itself in position to allow better posture. Likewise, it serves as hinge to allow a person to walk and carry on strenuous activities such as sports.
Causes of Back of the Knee Pain
However, not only the elderly are prone to having pain in the back of the knee. Athletes, mostly runners, are also among those who suffer this kind of complaint. Knee pain may also be a result of an injury such as ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. These often occur due to the excessive stress, twists and turns while running or playing sports. Symptoms may include aching, burning sensation, weak knee, stiffness and inability to move freely.
But not only ruptured and sprained ligaments may cause discomfort and pain in the knee. A swelling caused by fluid from the knee joint protruding to the back of the knee may cause discomfort and pain too. This is known as Baker cyst or popliteal cyst. Baker cyst refers to a sac filled with fluid which is formed when the fluid from the knee joint is squeezed by the weight of the body between the bones in the knees. This sac traps the excess fluid and breaks away. The most common cause of the formation of Baker cysts is Arthritis. Usually pain is felt when the knee is extended or fully flexed and often times the pain can be very excruciating.
Treatment for Pain in the Back of the Knee
Several treatments can alleviate the pain in the back of the knee and heal it, some of the most effective ones involve three plans of action – control, avoid and rehabilitate. Controlling the pain can help ease down the discomfort. It is suggested that putting ice on the injured area for 5 minutes can be very effective. Putting a knee brace may also provide comfort thus lessening the pressure and pain. Other methods include heat compress using a heating pad for 10-20 minutes on a lower setting or application of creams that provide a warm sensation.
The second plan of action is to avoid activities that may worsen the condition. As simple as that, the recovery process will be faster. Keeping a list of to-do’s and not-to-do will also help identify pain aggravators.
To fully speed up the recovery, it is also advisable to seek a doctor’s help for rehabilitation measures. By identifying rehabilitative tasks and treatments, the pain in the back of the knee will be treated and further injuries may be avoided as well.
Pain in the back of the knee may be temporary or recurring. Should the pain become bothersome, professional medical help is needed so as to identify the cause and to be able to come up with a treatment regimen that is appropriate for the root cause as well. Also read about knee joint pain treatment
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