What causes pain behind the knee and down the calf?

Deep vein thrombosis, tendonitis, muscle spasm, and a Baker's cyst are some of the reasons of discomfort below or behind the knee and calf. Although these are frequent illnesses that might cause discomfort, other medical disorders can also cause discomfort in certain areas of the legs.

Why is my knee pain radiate down my leg?

Sometimes this tendon can become inflamed as a result of too much activity. The pain is localized to the outside of the knee and occasionally radiates down the outside of the shin. People with weak hip muscles and over pronation are more likely to develop this condition.

What does it mean when the back of your leg hurts behind the knee NHS?

A Baker's cyst, also called a popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled swelling that develops at the back of the knee. Credit: It's caused when the tissue behind the knee joint becomes swollen and inflamed.

What does it mean when the back of your leg hurts below the knee?

A hamstring strain happens when the muscle is stretched too far. The muscle can completely tear, which can take months to heal. When you injure your hamstring muscle, you'll feel a sudden pain. Injuries to the biceps femoris — called biceps femoris tendinopathy — cause pain in the back of the knee.

How do you relieve pain in the back of your knee?

Rest, ice, compression, and elevation

If you have sudden, intense pain in the back of your knee, the doctor may recommend that you rest and apply ice to your knee. In some cases, your doctor may also ask you to elevate (prop up) your leg while you're sitting down to help improve the blood flow in your leg.

What is Causing the Pain Behind Your Knee, How to Tell

What does a blood clot in back of knee feel like?

While the vein is closer to the surface of the skin in the back of the knee, a clot can form anywhere in the blood vessel. The skin over the affected area may also feel warm to the touch. The pain, which can start in the lower leg, may feel like a cramp.

Can arthritis cause pain behind the knee?

Osteoarthritis is a condition that wears down the cartilage of the joints over time. This condition can easily cause pain in the back of the knee. People with osteoarthritis in the knee may experience other symptoms, such as loss of motion or difficulty bending the knee.

Can sciatica cause pain behind the knee?

Knee pain may be a symptom of sciatica

Common knee symptoms that you may experience when you have sciatica include: A warm sensation, sharp pain, or dull ache in the front, side, and/or back of the knee.

When should I be concerned about calf pain?

See your doctor as soon as possible if you have: Signs of infection, such as redness, warmth or tenderness, or you have a fever greater than100 F (37.8 C) A leg that is swollen, pale or unusually cool. Calf pain, particularly after prolonged sitting, such as on a long car trip or plane ride.

Can a torn meniscus cause pain down the leg?

There may also be a feeling of weakness in the leg and a sense of the knee buckling or “giving way.” This is because displaced, fragmented tissue from a torn meniscus and swelling in the knee can affect the thigh muscles that support knee function.

Can knee pain travel down the leg?

There's only one nerve going through your knee that's at risk of being compressed. It's a branch of your sciatic nerve called the peroneal nerve. This nerve goes around the outside of your knee before traveling down the outside of your lower leg.

When should I be concerned about knee and leg pain?

Make an appointment with your doctor if your knee pain was caused by a particularly forceful impact or if it's accompanied by: Significant swelling. Redness. Tenderness and warmth around the joint.

Can knee problems cause calf pain?

Can bad knees cause calf pain? Yes. A number of knee problems can strain the muscles and tendons that run along the calf. A common issue is a Baker's cyst, a complication of arthritis in the knee joint.

Can knee arthritis affect calf muscles?

Patients with knee OA may demonstrate weakness in the calf muscle. Calf muscle strength should be included in the management of patients with knee OA.

How do I get my sciatic nerve to stop hurting?

How long should knee pain last before seeing a doctor?

Generally, athletes should see a healthcare provider for pain lasting more than 48 hours and other adults should see an expert if there seems to be no change for three weeks. Generally, most healthcare providers recommend that you schedule an appointment as soon as you notice that your symptoms impact the way you live.

Does sciatica cause calf pain?

Classic sciatic pain starts in the low back and buttocks. It affects one leg traveling down the back of the thigh, past the knee, and sometimes into the calf and foot. The pain feels worse in the leg than in the back. It may range from a mild ache to severe burning or a shooting pain.

What does a blood clot feel like in your calf?

Signs that you may have a blood clot

leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. swelling in the affected leg. redness or discoloration of the sore spot. the affected area feeling warm to the touch.

How can you tell the difference between a blood clot and a leg cramp?

Timing: DVT symptoms are usually subtle at the start and then gradually increase over days. Cramps are the opposite. They typically start suddenly and feel severe but go away just as quickly and last only seconds to minutes. Cramps also most commonly occur in the middle of the night.

Can a pinched nerve cause pain behind the knee?

Yes. The sciatic nerve, which is one of the spinal nerves, connects from your low back, through your leg into your knee. Sciatica feels like a shooting pain running from your lower back, down your leg, and can contribute to knee pain.

Is walking good for sciatica?

Walking is a surprisingly effective approach for relieving sciatic pain because regular walking spurs the release of pain-fighting endorphins and reduces inflammation. On the other hand, a poor walking posture may aggravate your sciatica symptoms.

What is the best painkiller for knee pain?

Over-the-counter medications — such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) — may help ease knee pain. Some people find relief by rubbing the affected knee with creams containing a numbing agent, such as lidocaine, or capsaicin, the substance that makes chili peppers hot.

What does rheumatoid arthritis in the knee feel like?

If a person has RA in their knees, they may have symptoms such as: stiff, swollen joints that are difficult to bend and straighten. pain and swelling, which may be worse after periods of rest. pain that increases with vigorous physical activity.

What does osteoarthritis of the knee feel like?

Your knee feels stiff, particularly when you first get up or when you've been sitting for a long time. Your knee looks swollen or feels puffy. You hear a cracking or grinding noise when you move your knee. Your knee feels wobbly, as if it could buckle or “give out."

Is walking good for arthritis in the knee?

Walking is a fantastic option for many patients with knee arthritis because it is a low-impact activity that does not put undue stress on the joints. Furthermore, walking can increase the knee's range of motion and keep it from becoming overly stiff.