Behind Knee Pain : Causes

What causes behind knee pain?

Behind knee pain can be due to a fairly mild condition, such as a torn hamstring that responds well to rest and self-care measures. However, behind knee pain can result from a Baker’s cyst or deep vein thrombosis. With both conditions you may have pain, swelling, and bruising behind the knee and calf. In contrast to a Baker’s cyst, deep vein thrombosis is a life-threatening condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible.

Chronic degenerative conditions that cause behind knee pain include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is also an autoimmune disorder.

Common causes of Baker’s cyst and behind knee pain

Behind knee pain may arise from an injury or an inflammatory condition, such as:

• Osteoarthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Overuse injury

• Repetitive motion

• Torn ligament or cartilage

• Torn hamstring muscle

• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg which can break loose from the leg causing a pulmonary embolism in the lung, a heart attack, or even stroke)

• Peripheral vascular disease (PAD, also called peripheral vascular disease, or PVD, which is a narrowing of arteries due to a buildup of fat and cholesterol on the artery walls, which limits blood flow to the extremities)

Serious or life-threatening causes of behind knee pain

What are the potential complications of behind knee pain?

Because behind knee pain may be a sign of a serious disease, failure to seek treatment can result in complications. It is important to visit your health care provider when you experience any kind of persistent pain, redness, warmth, or other unusual symptoms. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, it is important that you follow the treatment plan outlined by your health care provider to reduce your risk of potential complications related to behind knee pain, including:

• Loss of mobility

• Disability

• Poor quality of life from constant pain

• Pulmonary embolism associated with deep vein thrombosis