|
Author: Marc David Article source: http://www.bodybuilding.com/. Used with author's permission.
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.htm
Remember Within
Remember when you were really young? It was an era of inconsequential innocence. Even at this age, your imagination was larger than large. Seemingly effortle...
Creating a Realistic Wedding Budget While Still Having the Wedding of Your Dreams
Perhaps the single most important thing that must be accomplished when you are ready to begin planning your wedding is to first create your budget. Your budget ...
Integrity... Should It Matter?
In our fast paced work culture, manned by technology savvy generation in a globally competitive environment, quality and productivity became the battle cry of c...
Weapons of Mass Distraction
Think of the most dreadful threat in our modern society. Is it the weapons of mass destruction? Think again. It is the weapons of mass distraction, as I like...
Financial Freedom with Home Loans
The main element of financial freedom is the fractional home loan system; under which banks need only to hold the funds deposited in the form of home loans rese...
Blogging For Business - Great Reasons For Every Business To Start A Weblog
If Howard Dean's failed political campaign accomplished anything, I would say that it brought to the mainstream the use of something called a weblog or "blog" a...
Clear Up Blurry Communication
How often do you get frustrated because your customer or coworker doesn't understand what you want them to do? Surprisingly, the problem could be your words! Fo...
The Dangers of Liposuction
One Reality TV show, The Swan, thrives on makeovers. Often viewed as tantamount to having a new life, a lot of people get giddy with the thought of undergoing a...
Get Closer to Your Subject
How and why moving closer to your subject can create some stunning photos.
Golf Equipment Doesnt Work
Golf equipment doesn't work? Did that catch your attention? I hope so. Now keep reading. Just the other day I was watching the Golf Channel and they were ta...
Just Say NO to Your Stock Broker
There is a time to say 'no' to your broker.
Daybreak at Pikes Creek [a Poem]
A lovely poem my husband made in response to our trip to Lake Superior on my birthday this early August. Rosa
15 Hair Care Myths - The Truth and The Lies
This article explores the truth behind a few of the many hair care myths circulating the globe.
Theres Only One Way to Achieve Your Goal
If you're looking to lose weight, build muscle, get fit or whatever you goal may be, I'd like you to go in a straight line towards that goal, whatever it is.
Trading Baskets II: The Crapolio, A Roll of the Dice in the Stock Market
An approach to day trading or swing trading that I had some success with back in the wild and woolly, pinnacle days of day trading that may still work today. Un...
Overview of Cellular Phone Carriers
How many times have you heard of people spending hundreds of dollars on the latest and greatest cell phone only to be disappointed by the bad signal? Dropping c...
Acne Skin Savers Your Mom Never Told You About
You feel it beneath your skin. It's starting to tingle. It's red. What should you do now? Don't play with potential zits, read about acne skin savers and stop t...
Pet Adoption: The Right Choice
Pet adoption is a fabulous option if you're seeking a companion animal. You'll be able to select from a wide variety of different breeds and ages as well as sa...
Building Your Dream Home – Part 2
For most of my adult life I had thought about someday building my Dream Home. Several years ago I finally got the chance.
Your Ultimate Leadership Feedback Loop: Their Leadership
Leaders need feedback to thrive. If they don't constantly evaluate how they are doing as leaders, they face repeated failure. Here is one important feedback m...
Vacation Homes Are Becoming A Reality For More Homeowners
Whether it's a lakefront cottage or a log cabin in the woods, a vacation home often seems to be a dream that only the wealthy can afford. But these days, you d...
Stained Teeth and Teeth Gap
There are two simple ways that you can improve your smile without going to the dentist. If you have stained teeth you can use over the counter whitening systems...
Plymouth Plantation and Mayflower – Links to Our Past Guide, Part 1
Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II ship are major attractions in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Authentic yet entertaining the two are links to our past and the ...
Dealing With Search Engine Stress In A Home-Based Business
As a member of several search engine optimization forums, I have recently noticed (especially since Yahoo recently decided to try their hand at competing with G...
|
Print this page