Pain Behind the Knee (Posterior)
Posterior knee pain refers to the pain occurring at the back of the knee. This pain may occur due to a number of causes, and appropriate treatment can be provided once the underlying cause is determined. Biceps femoris tendonitis (hamstring tendonitis) is considered to be the most common injury arising out of overuse, and resulting in pain at the back of the knee.
Different causes of swelling are also likely to contribute to posterior knee pain. Timely treatment can help to prevent serious complications in this injury. Board certified orthopedic surgeons at the Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute provide cutting edge treatments for posterior knee pain to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding communities in this part of The Sagebrush State.
Gastrocnemius Tendinopathy or Tendinitis
This condition relates to inflammation or degeneration of the tendon of the calf muscle, which becomes the cause for the pain at the back of the knee. This is an overuse injury, commonly occurring among sprinters and runners.
Biceps Femoris
The biceps femoris tendon is one of the hamstring muscle tendons. If this tendon gets injured, it will lead to pain on the outside, back part of the knee.
Baker’s Cyst
A Baker’s Cyst or Popliteal cyst refers to a significant swelling occurring at the back of the knee. An underlying injury or condition of the knee joint will usually cause this swelling.
Tennis Leg
Pain in the leg, which may caused by a tear of the inner head of the big calf muscle, or the plantaris muscle, or both, is commonly described as a Tennis leg.
Posterolateral Corner
Pain at the back and outside of the knee may be caused due to these injuries. The injuries are not common, but may occur due to sports injuries or car accidents.
The Popliteus
This is a minor muscle located at the back of the knee joint. Posterior knee pain may occur if this muscle or tendon sustains an injury or strain.
Common Symptoms
Some of the common symptoms to identify posterior knee pain may include:
- Aching knee
- Audible snap in the knee
Bruising - Burning pain
- Gradual onset knee pain
- Impact to the knee
- Instability
- Knee joint pain
- Pain when kneeling
- Pain while running
- Pain while sitting
- Kneecap pain
- Localized swelling
- Rapid onset swelling
- Swollen knee
- Twisted knee
Less Common Causes
Posterior knee pain may occur as ‘referred pain’ when an injury or problem elsewhere leads to this pain. This may occur from the lower back or lumbar spine and pain is referred down into the knee through the sciatic nerve. Pain from the patellofemoral joint or between the kneecap and thigh bone may also sometimes refer pain into the back of the knee.
Symptoms of Popliteus tendonitis include pain at the back of the knee joint with tenderness when pressing in. Gastrocnemius tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon of the large calf muscle at the point it originates at the back of the knee. Remarkable, percipient, and board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada and other communities and neighborhoods in this part of the country for treatments of posterior knee pain.
If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. call (702) 933-9393; Physical Therapy (702) 933-9393.