Amelia Grant

The knee is a complicated structure composed of bones, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons that are vulnerable to tearing and straining. Besides, your knee is the biggest joint in the body and has to endure enormous stress since it bears the weight of your entire upper body. Knee pain is among the most common problems in adults. Causes of knee pain can range from simple overuse of the joint to a long-term disease like arthritis. 

Keep on reading to discover the seven most common sources of pain behind your knee and ways you can treat them. 

1. Leg cramps

A cramp-like sensation occurs as your muscle tightens. Dehydration, nerve issues in your legs, infections, toxins, and even liver disease can all result in cramps behind your knee.

Leg cramps can be relieved quickly or avoided altogether. Mild varieties of knee cramping can be successfully treated with regular massages, proper hydration, heating pads, and stretching. 

2. Baker’s cyst

Synovial fluid normally serves as a lubricant for your knee joint. When too much synovial fluid is produced, a Baker's cyst can develop, resulting in a fluid-filled sac behind your knee.

Baker's cysts can be caused by arthritis or a knee injury. You may experience pain, swelling, and stiffness. A Baker's cyst can sometimes subside on its own. Steroid injections, physical therapy, or cyst drainage may be required for bigger or more severe cysts.

3. Bursitis

Swelling, stiffness, and burning sensations in the knee are all symptoms of bursitis. Overexertion of the joints is the most common cause. This condition occurs when the little, fluid-filled sacks that normally cushion your knee get inflamed and irritated.

Bursitis is typically treated with rest, cold compresses, and pain medications. If these therapies fail to improve your symptoms, your knee pain specialist may inject a medication into the area near the inflamed bursa.

4. Iliotibial band syndrome

The IT band (iliotibial band) is a ligament that runs from your pelvis to the knee. It can become bloated and irritated when it presses on the bone, resulting in IT band syndrome.

Exercise is the most common cause of this condition. Resting the injured area and allowing it to heal is the recommended way of treating an irritated iliotibial band.

5. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common ailment that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee joints in older people. The degradation or breakdown of joint cartilage between bones causes this “wear and tear” type of arthritis, which can impair your range of motion.

Gentle movement can be used to manage OA. Yoga, swimming, or riding a stationary bike at the gym may also help relieve your OA symptoms.

6. Inflammatory arthritis

Inflammatory arthritis types, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or psoriatic arthritis, are another cause of knee pain. Preventative medication can help control your arthritis symptoms and prevent additional joint damage.

If you have inflammatory arthritis, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) may be prescribed to help reduce inflammation and relieve joint discomfort. Steroids, like prednisone, can also be used to decrease inflammation and halt the progression of joint deterioration. However, steroids are rarely a long-term treatment option.

7. Infection

A septic joint develops when germs contaminate the lubricating synovial fluid in your knee. Knee infections typically result from botched surgery or inflammation.

A knee infection is a dangerous condition that generally requires prompt and acute treatment. Your knee infection treatment options will vary greatly depending on the culprit.

The bottom line

If you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, avoid hesitating and reach out to an experienced knee pain doctor to determine their precise cause and undergo appropriate treatment.