Back Of Knee Pain When Straightening Leg – The 14 Best & Safe To Follow Tips
Back of knee pain when straightening leg is a common problem for runners. The most likely cause of this is iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). ITBS occurs when the IT band becomes tight and rubs on bone or bursa in the area, causing inflammation and pain.
This happens because, over time, repetitive movements like running can lead to the shortening of muscles and tendons which pull on joints such as your hip or knee.
Fortunately, there are some simple exercises you can do to help alleviate back of knee pain while stretching out your IT band.
While it may take some time before you see improvement, these exercises will keep your body flexible and strong so that you can continue running without further injury.
If you’re having back knee pain while straightening your leg might be caused by a tight hamstring or iliotibial band (ITB). Both of these muscles attach to the pelvis and cross the knee, so they can cause pain when stretched.
This is most common in people who run, but it could also happen if you sit with your legs crossed for long periods of time. If you want to learn more about this condition and how to fix it, read on!
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Underlying Problems With Back Of Knee Pain When
There are many underlying problems that can cause knee pain. This is especially true with the back of the knee pain which can be caused by many different things. It’s important to go to a doctor and find the root of the problem so you can begin treating it right away. The longer you wait, the worse things might get!
Iliotibial band syndrome is an overuse injury that results in inflammation of the iliotibial band, which runs along outside of the thigh from the hip to the knee. Tight ITB will lead to pain on the outside of the knee when the runner straightens his/her leg after bending it for running or cycling.
Similarly, hamstring tightness can cause back knee pain when straightening the leg because the hamstring attaches just above the knee joint and pulls on the lower part of the thigh bone (femur) when you straighten your leg.
If the cause of back knee pain is not clear, you should visit a physical therapist or sports medicine doctor who can help pinpoint what is causing your pain and offer suggestions for reducing it.
Treatment Options For Back Of Knee Pain
There are some at-home treatment plans that you can try which may help to reduce your back knee pain.
These include:
*Resting the leg by elevating it when needed and avoiding activities that irritate the knee (such as running, bicycling, squatting)
*Applying ice to the back of the knee for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours
*Taking anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve swelling around the joint
*Treating hamstring tightness with static stretching exercises
If you are experiencing chronic back knee pain, see a doctor who can prescribe stronger medication if necessary. A cortisone injection can be used in some cases to relieve inflammation in and around the knee joint. This is normally only reserved for those who are not responding to other forms of treatment.
If the back of your knee is constantly experiencing pain, it may be time to take a break from your activities, especially if you’ve noticed swelling around the joint. This can help prevent further damage and allow the knee time to heal before more serious injuries develop.
Steps Doctors Usually Take To Treat Back Of Knee Pain
If you want to know in advance the treatment plan most doctors will take if you are experiencing then knee pain, then keep reading. A doctor will first find out if the knee pain is part of a larger existing health condition, such as arthritis.
They will take x-rays to determine whether there are any abnormalities in your bones or surrounding structures. If it’s determined that you have no underlying conditions but the pain persists, then they may prescribe NSAIDs or stronger medications for pain relief.
Many doctors will conclude that back of the knee pain is caused by inflammation in and around the knee joint.
If the knee pain continues for over 6 months then surgery may be an option to help repair damaged cartilage. Once the damage has taken place, restoring this can be difficult so prevention should always be the first option when it comes to knee pain.
Many people will go to the doctor with back of the knee pain and they will be told that there is nothing wrong with them, and in most cases, they will be right.
The muscle at the front of your thigh (quadriceps) is responsible for straightening your leg and also holds the patella (knee cap) in place. The quadriceps can become tight if you spend too long sitting which would affect performance.
It could also lead to a condition called “patellofemoral pain syndrome” where you experience discomfort or pain under or around your kneecap. Patellofemoral pain syndrome is more common in women and those involved in sports.
If your patellofemoral pain syndrome has advanced far enough it will also produce a clicking sound as you try to straighten your leg because muscles are moving over each other near to where they connect with the knee cap which causes friction.
At this point, the treatment option will likely be to wear a patellofemoral knee brace that stabilizes the kneecap. If this is not enough you have to have surgery where your tendons are tightened or you move your kneecap into a different position, this stops it from slipping out of place.
So if you want to avoid back of knee pain when straightening your leg then stay active and keep moving, do knee bends while sitting in class, get up for walks around campus even if it’s only every half an hour or so.
However if this doesn’t work there are other options available, try wearing compression socks or taping your knees during sporting activities. This will help to reduce the load on the tendon by taking some strain off it.
Another approach is using a knee brace; this will take the load off your patella tendon which relieves back of knee pain.
Many people with patella tendonitis see good results after taking glucosamine supplements, these are believed to reduce inflammation and can be bought in most health food stores.
However, if you do get back of knee pain when straightening your leg then seek medical advice or contact an orthopedic surgeon or sports therapist for help.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to knee pain, the cause is often not as simple as one thinks. For example, when people first think of their knee being sore or painful because they are bending too much while working out or sitting for long periods of time at work, it might actually be due to a different issue in the body that leads to pinching nerves around your spine and hips.
If you have been experiencing this type of lower extremity pain on one side only (usually the right) then you should schedule an appointment with your doctor so that they can diagnose what’s going on and find a solution!