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The knee is the largest joint in the body and plays an important role in leg movement. It is also one of the areas under the most pressure, making it highly susceptible to injury. Among these, pain behind the knee is quite common and can affect a person’s ability to walk. So, what causes pain behind the knee, and how can it be quickly and effectively treated?
1. Symptoms of Pain Behind the Knee
Pain behind the knee refers to discomfort that originates at the back of the knee. It can be a dull ache or sharp pain, sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation. In most cases, the pain tends to lessen when the person is at rest and becomes more severe with frequent movement or when bending the knee.
In addition, the pain may be accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Swelling in the knee joint or a feeling that the knee is deformed
- Stiffness in the joint, pain when bending the knee, or difficulty in fully straightening it
- Redness and warmth at the back of the knee when touched
- Sometimes accompanied by tingling or numbness, and a sensation that the knee is weaker than before
2. What Causes Pain Behind the Knee?
Understanding the causes of pain behind the knee can help you take timely and appropriate action. Below are the common causes of this condition:
2.1. Muscle Cramp
A cramp is a sudden and involuntary muscle contraction that can last from a few seconds to several minutes. Cramps can occur in many parts of the body, but most commonly affect the calf, foot, hamstring, or thigh muscles near the back of the knee.
Cramps are mainly caused by overuse of muscles, dehydration, pregnancy, nutritional deficiencies, standing for long periods, or as a side effect of certain medications (such as statins or diuretics).
Although pain behind the knee due to cramps usually comes on suddenly and disappears shortly after, if it occurs frequently, you should consult a doctor.
2.2. Hamstring Strain
The hamstring group consists of three muscles: the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus, which connect the thigh bone to the knee. When these muscles are overstretched or strained, they can cause pain behind the knee.
This condition often occurs due to intense leg movements, overexertion during work or exercise, or playing sports that heavily engage the hamstring muscles, such as soccer or high jump.
2.3. Hamstring Injury
A hamstring injury refers to the tearing or rupture of the muscles at the back of the thigh. When the hamstring is injured, you may feel sudden pain behind the knee, often accompanied by swelling, bruising, and leg weakness.
This type of injury is common among athletes who play soccer, basketball, tennis, or hockey. If the hamstring is completely torn, surgery may be necessary, and recovery can take several months.
2.4. Anterior and Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Injuries to the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments are also common causes of pain behind the knee.
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): The ACL is a band of tissue running across the front of the knee joint, connecting the thigh bone to the shinbone. When the ACL is injured, you may hear a “pop” sound, followed by pain and swelling that restricts the ability to bend or straighten the leg. ACL injuries often occur when you suddenly stop or change direction while running, land awkwardly after jumping, or experience a strong impact from an accident.
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL): The PCL, similar to the ACL, also helps stabilize the knee joint but is less prone to injury. PCL injuries are usually caused by accidents, twisting of the knee, or missing a step while walking, and are characterized by severe knee pain, swelling, joint looseness, and difficulty moving the knee as usual.
2.5. Baker’s Cyst
A Baker’s cyst (also known as a popliteal cyst) forms due to the accumulation of synovial fluid, creating a lump behind the knee. This condition is often caused by knee injuries during exercise, joint infections, and other related issues.
When experiencing a Baker’s cyst, besides feeling pain and tightness behind the knee, patients may also feel stiffness in the joint and find it difficult to bend the knee. The pain worsens with frequent movement, and in some cases, the cyst may even rupture.
2.6. Patellar Tendinitis
Patellar tendinitis, also known as jumper’s knee, is a condition that occurs when the knee is overused or when proper warm-up exercises are not performed before training or playing sports.
Common symptoms of patellar tendinitis include dull or sharp pain that may affect both the front and the back of the knee. Additionally, the knee may become swollen, feel tight, and be difficult to move.
2.7. Arthritis
Knee arthritis is a condition in which the tissues within the joint deteriorate over time, causing the smooth cartilage to wear down, becoming rough and coarse. This reduces the cartilage’s elasticity, leading to the bones rubbing against each other and causing persistent, uncomfortable pain.
Additionally, arthritis can cause swelling and stiffness in the knee joint. The area around the joint may feel warm and appear red, and the knee’s ability to bend and straighten can be significantly restricted, affecting mobility.
2.8. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein inside the leg. DVT usually affects one leg, and the clot can be located in the pelvis, thigh, or calf, but it can cause pain anywhere in the leg, including behind the knee.
Besides pain, DVT may also cause swelling and a warm sensation in the affected area. This is a dangerous condition because blood clots can obstruct blood circulation and damage the valves within the veins.
3. When Should You See a Doctor for Pain Behind the Knee?
If the pain behind the knee is caused by muscle cramps, muscle strain, or improper running posture but shows signs of improvement after resting and applying cold compresses, then a doctor’s visit may not be necessary.
However, if the pain does not subside despite resting and using home remedies for pain relief, you should see a doctor immediately, as it could indicate a tendon or muscle injury or be a warning sign of a more serious condition.
You should seek medical attention promptly if the pain behind the knee is accompanied by any of the following symptoms: signs of infection, severe pain that prevents you from moving, sudden swelling or warmth in the leg, fever, or difficulty breathing.
4. Treatments for Tendon and Muscle Pain Behind the Knee
To diagnose the severity and cause of the condition, doctors will conduct a clinical examination (checking the knee’s range of motion, movements that cause pain, etc.) and may also request additional tests (such as ultrasound, X-ray, or joint imaging). Based on the results, the doctor will recommend an appropriate treatment method.
4.1. How to Relieve Pain Behind the Knee at Home
For mild pain behind the knee, you can try the following methods to improve your condition:
- Rest: Resting helps reduce pain and gives the bones, joints, and ligaments in the knee time to heal.
- Cold Compress: Applying a cold compress not only helps with pain relief but also effectively reduces swelling. You can apply a cold pack to the painful area for about 20 minutes, 4–6 times a day, for 2–3 days. Be careful not to apply ice for too long or too often, as it can cause frostbite.
- Wearing a Knee Brace: Using a knee brace can help stabilize the knee joint, prevent further misalignment, and support pain relief. However, ensure the brace is not too tight, as it may affect blood circulation.
- Using Crutches or a Cane: This helps reduce the body’s weight load on the knee, supporting pain relief and speeding up the healing process.
- Doing Exercises to Relieve Pain Behind the Knee: Performing appropriate exercises at home can help reduce pain behind the knee and restore the flexibility and strength of the knee muscles. Good exercises for knee pain include calf stretches, squats, and hamstring stretches. Note: If the pain worsens during exercise, you should stop immediately and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
*The above methods only provide temporary pain relief, and their effectiveness depends on the severity of your condition.
4.2. Using Over-the-Counter NSAIDs
Some over-the-counter pain relievers can provide temporary relief from pain behind the knee, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. However, it’s important to use these medications with caution, as prolonged use can lead to side effects like stomach bleeding and damage to the liver and kidneys.
Before taking any medication, you should consult with a pharmacist or doctor and use the correct dosage to ensure safety.
4.3. Chiropractic Care Combined with Physical Therapy
Chiropractic therapy is considered a safe and natural method for treating musculoskeletal pain by stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities without the need for medication or surgery.
Through gentle manual adjustments, chiropractors help realign misaligned bones and joints to their natural positions. This relieves pressure on nerves (a major cause of pain), allowing pain to subside quickly and even disappear completely.
When combined with physical therapy techniques—such as the use of ultrasound, heat, and electrical stimulation—treatment can penetrate deep into bone tissues, regenerate cells, accelerate recovery, and provide effective pain relief.
Pioneering the use of this combined treatment approach, ACC Chiropractic Clinic has successfully treated many patients with pain behind the knee caused by muscle strain or joint misalignment.
At ACC, patients can feel assured knowing that 100% of the chiropractors are international specialists. All doctors are certified, experienced, and provide customized treatment plans tailored to each individual’s pain condition to ensure optimal recovery results.
The physical therapy program at ACC is also specifically designed with the support of advanced equipment such as high-intensity IV laser therapy, Shockwave therapy, etc. These treatments target damaged tissues, help reduce pain, regenerate tissues and cells, and shorten recovery time.
Moreover, throughout the treatment process, ACC doctors will closely monitor the patient’s symptoms and provide timely recommendations to help with quick recovery. Doctors also offer advice on proper diet and lifestyle, as these factors positively impact treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of future pain recurrence.
Treating pain properly from the start helps effectively heal the pain, saving time and treatment costs. Contact ACC for consultation.
Pain behind the knee can occur for many reasons, including muscle strain, injury, or potentially underlying serious conditions. Therefore, if the pain does not subside, patients should seek medical consultation for early treatment.
To prevent knee pain, you should maintain proper posture when standing, walking, and especially when running, avoid overexertion, and wear appropriate footwear. Additionally, maintaining a stable weight with a normal BMI helps avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the bones and knee joints.
