The popliteal pain behind the knee could lead to many possible issue!
As we know, the knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in our human body. It supports almost all of our weight, and it also responsible for quite a lot of our movement functionality.
Not to mention, we have to walk, run, jump, etc. The amount of workload of knee are heavy for a normal person, so basically knee injuries are very common.
Among many knee pains, there is a special spot that may not particularly in everyone’s attention, that is behind of the knee, which is what we called – popliteal fossa.
The following are the common causes of popliteal pain behind the knee, and we can targeted interventions spot if we understand the causes.
1. Leg cramps
Muscle cramps behind the knee may cause pain in the popliteal area. In this case, the pain can last for several seconds or minutes.
If you often experience leg cramps, you can relieve it by stretching your muscles regularly. You can also try to shorten the length of walking or running to reduce the pressure on the muscles around your knees.
2. Popliteal cyst (Baker’s cyst)
A popliteal cyst is a fluid-filled sac that appears behind the knee. The fluid in the cyst is synovial fluid.
Popliteal cysts sometimes disappear on their own, but we need to determine the cause of the cyst and solve these problems to completely remove the cyst.
3. Popliteal muscle injury
The pectoral muscle is a small muscle behind the knee that is used to unlock the knee when walking. If the popliteal muscle is injured, it is recommended to apply a cold compress for 10 minutes every hour for the first 24 hours, which will help.
4. Hamstring tendinitis
The hamstrings are composed of the semitendinosus and the biceps femoris, which bend the knee. Their tendons are attached behind the knee, so when these tendons become inflamed, they can cause popliteal pain.
5. Gastrocnemius tendonitis:
The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles make up the muscles behind the calf. Excessive tension or strength may cause the muscles behind the knee to be strained or damaged, causing inflammation, and indirectly causing pain.
6. Blood clots
The most obvious symptoms are pain, swelling and tenderness behind the knee.
7. Injury to the posterior of the meniscus
The meniscus is located between the knee joints and plays a role of buffering pressure. If its posterior angle is damaged, it may indirectly cause the symptoms of knee pain.
8. Osteoarthritis
Overtime, the articular cartilage in the knee will gradually wear away, and the articular cartilage acts as a buffer and support. As a result, it is easy to cause osteoarthritis, and the indirectly cause popliteal pain.
Normally, or minor pain, we can handle it by ourselves. But when the pain is unbearable, lasts a long time or the legs are swollen, it is better to consult a doctor in time.
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