Top 3 Reasons Why You Suffer From Pain In The Back Of The Knee

Pain behind the knee is something many of us have or might experience if we play sports that involve bending at the knees, running, tennis, or any activity that puts strain on the area.

Here are some things you need to keep in mind if you ever experience such pain behind the knee:

1. Possible Arthritis

This is one of the most common causes of pain in the knee. In fact, if you are over the age of 65 one in two of you have arthritis with the knee been one of the most common joints involved.

The pain of arthritis is usually a dull tooth ache pain that is occasionally sharp with sudden movements. The pain is usually located over your joint line (where the tibia meets the femur) and in the front of the knee. Mild and sometimes severe swelling is associated with this pain. The pain is worse when you exit a chair or car. It is also worse with any prolonged walking or standing. The pain is usually better with rest, heat (sometimes ice), wrapping the knee and pain medication.

Occasionally the knee may catch on the rough uneven surfaces of your cartilage. Patients often complain of grinding in the knee, and occassional popping.

2. Minor Tear of the Cartilage Surface

Rather then a cyst or fluid build-up, the causes of the pain behind the knee might simply be slight micro tears in the cartilage. This can be treated with the same solutions at the end of this article. Tears, if minor, require no surgery and will heal on their own depending on the time allowed for healing and if the activity that aggravates it is avoided.

3. Baker's Cyst The cyst usually occurs due to some other problem in your knee such as arthritis or even a tear of your meniscus. The swelling from this problem causes fluid to build up in your knee. This fluid pushes out the weakest point of your joint capsule surrounding your knee. This is usually to the back portion of your knee capsule, and a cyst forms. The cyst has a valve made out of your joint capsule tissue. This valve can sometimes become clogged and the fluid becomes trapped in the cyst. Thus, even when the injury has resolved, you still have the swelling in the back of your knee. This is associated with pain usually described as dull and aching. The pain is worse with prolonged walking or standing. It is sometimes improved with rest, elevation and taking pain medication.

Many people agree that when it comes to pain behind the knee, the best plan of action is Control, Avoid, and Rehabilitate.

Control:

Cryotheraphy which involves putting ice on the area for 5 minutes at a time. This will help reduce the pain. Do not continue to apply ice if a burning sensation is felt.

Heat from a heating pad for 10-20 minutes on a lower setting may help reduce pain. Alternative methods include creams that create a heating sensation like Icy-Hot or AST BioFreeze gel.

Bracing from a comfortable knee brace can provide some needed relief and stability to the area, reducing the pressure on the area and thus; reducing the pain. There are many knee braces available that can be worn during activity or at any time where the area becomes bothersome.

Avoid:

There's nothing special about this old saying. Simply avoid the activities that aggravate the pain and participate in ones that seem to help it. Making a list of things NOT to do and a list of things TO DO will be helpful in determining what makes the pain worse. Avoid activities that continue to make the pain worse or no better. This is typical advice. Pain is a warning signal.

Rehabilitate:

Talk to a Doctor and make a plan of action to rehabilitate the knee thru controlled motions. Rehabilitation includes motivation to do the prescribed exercises. The correct exercises as prescribed and the proper equipment to keep the motions in controlled.

Pain behind the knee is very common in some many sports that you can suffer from this by doing almost anything from snowboarding to racquetball. By taking precautions in your sports and understanding what might cause this, will allow not only enjoyable sports activities, but a lifetime of activity.

Marc David is a bodybuilder, writer, and author of the the e-book "The Beginner's Guide to Fitness and Bodybuilding" (BGFB): What Every Beginner Should Know but Probably Doesn't. Marc has written over 20 articles and has been featured in several health and fitness websites. Marc's opinionated and informative articles on bodybuilding, weight loss and training are featured regularly on: http://www.freedomfly.net

To subscribe to Marc's free b-weekly e-zine, visit the Freedomfly website here: http://www.freedomfly.net/fitnessnewsletter.h tm

---

A Constipation Remedy Using Potassium and Prunes

Potassium and prunes are a natural constipation remedy that you... Read More

Why Detox?

For most of my life I considered myself fairly healthy.... Read More

Application Methods For Aromatherapys Essential Oils

BATH: Add 10-12 drops of a single oil or a... Read More

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental and emotional condition that... Read More

Herbology

Herbology is one of the oldest healthcare sciences known to... Read More

As The Primary Care Giver for an Alzheimer?s Patient, How Can I Get a Break?

Taking care of a loved one who has Alzheimer's is... Read More

Green Tea: An Oriental Panacea Revived

A medicinal beverage in Asia for almost 4000 years, green... Read More

Making Your Lungs Work Better With Water

All of us know when our lungs aren't quite working... Read More

How to Use the Subconscious to Cope with Body System Triggers of Your Pain

The musculoskeletal, immune and endocrine systems can all be potent... Read More

Reduce Asthma And Breathe Free

Asthma can be a serous and often frightening condition that... Read More

Liver Spring Cleansing

The liver is the second largest organ in the body... Read More

Gearing Up for Flu Season

Well, flu season is coming upon us quickly, and most... Read More

Aspergers Syndrome and its Symptoms

Asperger's syndrome is a condition common in young children who... Read More

Roundworm and Parasitic Infections

A parasite is an organism that lives off, and generally... Read More

Top 10 Trends in Healthcare

America is undergoing a dramatic shift in healthcare. Actually, ten... Read More

Not Now, I Have A Headache

Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?That's what I recently asked... Read More

Natural Remedy for Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is a normal response to real, perceived, or... Read More

Top Ten Reasons Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy Works

Studies and research show natural HRT really works. By using... Read More

Acid Reflux and Heartburn Natural Remedies Part II

If you have acid reflux or heartburn, using natural remedies... Read More

YARROW TEA (Achillea Millefolium)

An amazing tea that can help with colds and flu,... Read More

Alternative Medicine vs Conventional Medicine - Part 1

The term 'alternative medicine' that is so commonly used today... Read More

Some Tips on Stopping Smoking

Are you looking for tips on stopping smoking? And would... Read More

How to Use Natural Remedies for Ulcers Caused by Helicobacter Pylori

One of the bacteria that live in your mouth and... Read More

Tobacco Hypnosis: Cigarettes Are My Friend

Practicing hypnotherapists hear many peculiar statements from smokers who ask... Read More

Natures Way To Relieve Arthritis Pain

PINEAPPLE AND PAPAYASMedical authorities say that pineapples and papayas can... Read More

Buyer Beware: Is That Ergonomic Chair Really Ergonomic?

Not everybody knows exactly what ergonomic means, but it's getting... Read More

Aromatherapy ? Part II: Mind and Emotions

The Sense of Smell forms the greater part of our... Read More

How to Use a Footbath with Herbs

Recently I read a book by William L. Fischer called... Read More

More Fruit Constipation Remedies Part II

Here are some more constipation remedies using fruits. Try to... Read More

Tai Chi Breathing Reduces Residual Air in Ineffective Retention Space

Breathing is the source of life: if breathing stops, do... Read More

Hyaluronic Acid - The Natural Face Lift?

If So What Is It and What Does It Do?In... Read More

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Symptoms

Urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria in one of... Read More

Pros and Cons of Isopropyl Alcohol

Recently, the term "isopropyl alcohol" has been liken to poisonous... Read More