What causes the pain under the knee
Pain under the knee can be associated with damage to any of the elements of its structure. The complex osteochondral structure of the knee joints is surrounded by a whole system of interlacing of tendons and muscles, ligaments and blood vessels. The tibial nerve, veins, arteries pass through the popliteal fossa. Important lymph nodes are located here.
Performing an important function in the human musculoskeletal system, the knees are subject to constant stress and the risk of various injuries.
Popliteal pain can be weak, aching, sharp, difficult to bear, strong, restraining human movements. They also distinguish between constant pain sensations arising from load and movement or only when palpating the focus. Often accompanied by swelling. The characteristic feature of pain provides an important symptom element in determining the cause of pain.
In the medical examination of the disease, the doctor always takes into account the patient's description of the pain. It is possible to accurately diagnose pain under the knee only with the use of computed or magnetic tomography, which will exclude the reflective pain of the strangulated lumbar vertebrae and other diseases.
The focus of pain can be located in its frontal or lateral zone, as well as in front and behind.
Back knee pain
In ordinary life, the sensation of pain under the knee in the back can be caused by severe muscle strain as a result of long walking, cycling, physical work. It appears the next day with bending of the knees and pressure on the feet. Its characteristic feature is the defeat of both legs. This is due to weakness, lack of muscle flexibility and irregular exercise. Daily exercise can be a preventive measure.
The same pain is a frequent companion in people involved in outdoor sports with a sharp increase in the pace of training, coupled with intense jumping, running, loads on the knees. In this case, the pain under the knees during the treatment with anesthetic warming ointments and the observance of complete rest of the joint is relieved within a few days. If it persists, you need to see a doctor.
Causes of back pain under the knee:
- Overload or injury to tendons. Constant long-term exertion in overweight people causes inflammation of the periarticular mucous membrane, which causes a disease - bursitis. The focus of the disease can be located under the patella. The result of injuries and bruises can be dystrophy or stretching of the tendons - tendinitis, their partial rupture - tendinosis. Rest, cold, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory and pain relievers, elastic bandage are indicated for the treatment of all these diseases. In order to prevent the purulent stage of the development of the disease, for the treatment of bursitis, it is necessary to take antibiotics and drugs of the corticosteroid group;
- Joint damage. It is always accompanied by swelling, stiffness when bending the leg. Pain under the knee can be caused by a Becker cyst, a ruptured back wall of the meniscus, or the formation of meniscus cysts. It is almost impossible to diagnose each of these diseases visually. The exact clinic will be provided with a comprehensive examination of magnetic tomography. Depending on the degree of its complexity, treatment can consist of conservative and surgical methods. Anti-inflammatory injections, tight fixation of the knee joint, complete rest can give a positive result only at an early stage of the development of the disease;
- Disease of blood vessels and nerves. Inflammation of the tibial nerve can cause severe pain under the knee. When walking, it gives off in the sole and on the back of the fingertips, completely fetters the muscles of the lower leg. In case of a feeling of constant, eversion pain under the knee, treatment should be carried out only as directed by a doctor. It involves the introduction of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, B vitamins, and antioxidants into biologically active points. Intensive drug treatment can be continued with a course of light massages. Pain under the knee, tightness in the limbs, the appearance of cyanotic pulsating formations are signs of a popliteal artery aneurysm. It can be caused by vascular erosion or injury. The disease is difficult to diagnose, in addition, it is very dangerous with the possibility of rupture of the artery, therefore, surgical intervention is indicated;
- Inflammation of the popliteal lymph nodes - lymphadenitis. In addition to pain, it is accompanied by swelling and redness. Diagnosis is carried out by a doctor on the basis of a biopsy of the affected area, a laboratory blood test for bacteria. This identifies a possible source of infection. It may be a festering sore on the little toe. This disease progresses rapidly and requires immediate treatment. A cold compress will slow down the inflammation and relieve some of the pain under the knee in the back. If antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are ineffective, surgery is performed to remove the abscess.
Pain under the knee in front
Pain under the knee in front is most often the result of an injury to its frontal zone. Strong impact can rupture the meniscus. A sharp pain under the knee seems to wedge the leg, it does not bend. After visual diagnostics and novocaine blockade of the focus, the doctor can adjust the restrained meniscus with movements opposite to those that led to the injury. But usually its rupture is treated surgically after accurate diagnosis using magnetic tomography.
Pain under the knee can be caused by deformity or inflammation of the knee joint. Arthrosis and arthritis are the causes of frequent ailments in adults.
If the pain under the knee is accompanied by a characteristic crunch, this is evidence of damage to the cartilaginous layer of the knee cap - chondropathy. Impaired joint movement leads to atrophy of its muscle tone. The cause of pain under the knee can be stress or deformity of the patella. The intensity of treatment depends on the degree of wear of the cartilage tissue, always includes drugs that promote the formation and restoration of cartilage. For severe pain, treatment involves local injections of anesthetics. With a neglected form - surgical intervention.
Hormonal disruption, metabolic disorders can cause a chronic disease - osteoarthritis, in which there is a gradual destruction of articular cartilage. The neglected form can lead to complete immobility of the knee joint. Treatment for pain under the knee consists of pain relief and therapy to restore movement. Additionally, the doctor may recommend therapeutic exercises, massage.
If pain occurs under the knee, an urgent need to visit a doctor. This is due to different thresholds of pain in humans. The disease can progress with mild pain. The diagnosis should always be based on the results of magnetic tomography examinations. Only timely diagnosis and proper treatment will give positive results.
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