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. Infact, if you are over the age of 65 one in two of you havearthritis with the knee been one of the most common jointsinvolved.

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

Occasionally the knee may catch on the rough uneven surfaces ofyour 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 painbehind the knee might simply be slight micro tears in thecartilage. This can be treated with the same solutions at theend of this article. Tears, if minor, require no surgery andwill heal on their own depending on the time allowed for healingand if the activity that aggravates it is avoided.

3. Baker's Cyst

The cyst usually occurs due to some other problem in your kneesuch as arthritis or even a tear of your meniscus. The swellingfrom this problem causes fluid to build up in your knee. Thisfluid pushes out the weakest point of your joint capsulesurrounding your knee. This is usually to the back portion ofyour knee capsule, and a cyst forms. The cyst has a valve madeout of your joint capsule tissue. This valve can sometimesbecome clogged and the fluid becomes trapped in the cyst. Thus,even when the injury has resolved, you still have the swellingin the back of your knee. This is associated with pain usuallydescribed as dull and aching. The pain is worse with prolongedwalking 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 5minutes at a time. This will help reduce the pain. Do notcontinue to apply ice if a burning sensation is felt.

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

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

Avoid:

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

Rehabilitate:

Talk to a Doctor and make a plan of action to rehabilitate theknee thru controlled motions. Rehabilitation includesmotivation to do the prescribed exercises. The correctexercises as prescribed and the proper equipment to keep themotions in controlled.

Pain behind the knee is very common in some many sports that youcan suffer from this by doing almost anything from snowboardingto racquetball. By taking precautions in your sports andunderstanding what might cause this, will allow not onlyenjoyable sports activities, but a lifetime of activity.

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