Knee Pain Clinic in Dallas

Why Do I Feel Pain in Back of Knee When Straightening Leg?

Primary care physicians report that knee pain is very common. Knee pain accounts for over 4 million primary care visits annually, according to the American Family Physician journal. Our knees are constantly used because they support our body weight and allow us to walk, run, and perform most of our daily activities. However, knee pain can halt progress. The popliteus, a small muscle in the back of the knee, helps our knees function. Several popliteus muscle issues can cause pain in back of knee when straightening leg.

Anatomy of Knee

The knee is a cool and complex joint that helps you move and balance. Its bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage work together like machines. The knee joint has three bones: the thigh, shin, and kneecap. Everything fits snugly. Ligaments and tendons maintain structural integrity and stability. They provide stabilization and support to the knee.Knee ligaments like the ACL and MCL stabilize the knee. However, quadriceps and patellar tendons connect muscles to bones, allowing us to move and be strong. A cartilage cushion in the knee joint absorbs shocks and smooths movements. The meniscus, a horseshoe-shaped cartilage, cushions and stabilizes the knee.

When I Straighten My Leg, What Hurts My Back Knee?

Your outer thigh bone and lower leg bone are connected by the popliteus muscle in the back of your knee. It is also attached to your meniscus is the shock-absorbing cartilage in the middle of your knee. This area may hurt when you straighten your leg because:

  • Leg cramps—Sportspeople and others who stand a lot get leg cramps. Dehydration and improper stretching before a workout can cause leg cramps, which may indicate infection. Leg cramps causes  pain in back of knee when straightening leg.
  • Muscle strain—Excessive stretching can strain the muscles at the posterior aspect of the knee.
  • Overuse—Overusing or overexerting the muscle, like while running or hiking, causes this. They can tear, causing severe pain, bruising, and tenderness.
  • Cyst in the back of the knee—Osteoarthritis and knee injuries can cause excessive synovial fluid production. This fluid lubricates joints, but too much can cause painful cysts behind the knee. Some call this a “baker’s cyst.”

Straight-Leg Knee Pain Symptoms

You may have other symptoms when you try to straighten your knee with pain. Awareness of these symptoms can reveal the cause of the issue. Identifying Pain Knee pain varies in strength, location, and duration. Sharp pain, dull ache, or constant discomfort are possible. The knee may experience localized pain or diffuse discomfort.

Understanding these pain details can help pain management in Dallas diagnose the issue. If your knee hurts when you straighten it, you may have a medial meniscus tear. However, patellofemoral pain syndrome may cause a dull, achy pain that spreads throughout your knee. Additionally, pain duration can provide more information. If knee pain persists and worsens, it may be osteoarthritis. However, sudden and intense pain may indicate a ligament tear.

Related Symptoms

When your knee hurts and you straighten your leg, you may have other issues. Your knee may be swollen or stiff. Moving your leg may cause popping or clicking sounds. Sometimes your knee feels weak and may give out. It may also be difficult to weigh that leg. These extra symptoms can help doctors diagnose your knee. Knees can swell due to inflammation or fluid buildup. If this happens, your knee may bulge or tighten. Stiffness makes it hard to bend or move your leg completely. Different sounds can reveal body processes. A meniscus tear may occur if your knee pops and feels like it’s giving out. If you hear a clicking sound without pain, a tendon may be snapping over a bone.

Advanced Back of Knee Pain Treatment

Some posterior knee pain treatments require more invasive procedures. Surgery often repairs or reconstructs severe ligament and muscle tears. After conservative treatments fail, meniscectomy is often needed for meniscal tears. Baker’s cysts are sometimes surgically removed or aspirated, but they usually return if the cause is not addressed. If anticoagulants fail, a vena cava filter may be placed in your veins to prevent pulmonary embolism.

When to Resume Normal Activity 

Depending on the cause of your knee pain, recovery time varies. First, try walking, stair climbing, and household chores if they don’t hurt. Reintroducing these tasks may allow you to gradually resume exercise. Avoid pushing through pain and start slowly. Consult your knee pain doctor in Dallas before returning to strenuous activities. Starting them too early may worsen your condition and prolong pain.

Summary

Different knee pain centers facilitate non-surgical relief for pain in back of knee when straightening leg . Many people with osteoarthritis knee pain have been treated by skilled doctors. Treatment is effective with digital imaging and FDA-approved gel injections. There are ways to manage knee pain when straightening your leg. Understanding the etiology and manifestations of pain, as well as investigating therapeutic alternatives, is essential. Surgery isn’t always necessary for relief. Quality of life can be improved by lifestyle changes, knee pain prevention, and chronic pain management.

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