experiencing pain behind the knees while running there is more than one reason

There is a type of knee pain that has been troubling many runners, and that isposterior knee pain.Below, we will introduce the posterior knee pain that many people are not familiar with.

The professional academic term for the 'hollow' area behind the knee is called the popliteal fossa, which refers to the diamond-shaped depression in the posterior knee region.

The popliteal fossa contains important nerves and blood vessels such as the tibial nerve, common peroneal nerve, popliteal artery, and popliteal vein.

Posterior knee pain should not be taken lightly. Pain in the popliteal fossa is just a symptom, and the following conditions could be common causes of posterior knee pain.

01 Hamstring Insertional Injury

The hamstrings are the primary muscles used in running,and overuse or acute strainscan severely affect the push-off and leg swing actions during running.

Overuse injuriesare generally caused by the gradual accumulation of micro-damage, with pain often occurring at the origin or insertion points of the hamstrings. The origin is located at the ischial tuberosity, while insertional overuse injuries manifest as posterior knee pain because the insertion point of the hamstrings is located at the popliteal fossa.

HamstringsAcute strainsare usually caused by improper push-off force or excessive force during the forward swing of the thigh while running. The most common injury is a strain in the midsection of the hamstrings, but it can also occur at the lower insertion point, causing posterior knee pain.

▶ Symptoms of Hamstring Injuries

● Chronic overuse injuries often present as pain during repetitive movements and pain during passive stretching.

● Acute injuries vary in severity; mild cases only hurt during repetitive movements and not at rest, while severe cases cause pain even while walking.

● Acute strains may be accompanied by a snapping sound, and severe cases may show bruising and swelling on the posterior thigh.

● Pain on palpation and pain when resisting knee flexion.

● Reduced height in straight leg raises and muscle shortening.

▶ Treatment Methods for Hamstring Injuries

● Acute injuries should be treated with immediate cold compresses, elevation of the affected limb, and compression bandaging.

● Acute hamstring strains often recover slowly and require adequate rest; running should not be forced.

● On the day of acute injury, Voltaren can be used. Do not use safflower oil within 48 hours of the injury, but it may be effective later. Acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy can also be used.

02 Popliteus Muscle Injury

Popliteus muscle injuries can also be acute or chronic.Chronic injuriesmostly present as dull posterior knee pain,while acute injuriespresent as severe or relatively severe tearing or pulling pain.

▶ Symptoms of Popliteus Muscle Injuries

● Deep aching pain in the popliteal fossa, difficulty in knee flexion and extension, with increased pain during hyperextension of the knee. Pain is particularly noticeable when squatting, standing up, or climbing stairs.

● Significant pain on palpation slightly to the outer lower side of the central popliteal fossa.

▶ Treatment Methods for Popliteus Muscle Injuries

● Mild cases can use anti-inflammatory drugs like Voltaren and perform knee hyperextension exercises to relax the spasmodic popliteus muscle, along with acupuncture and physical therapy.

● For significant pain, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly.

03 Popliteal Cysts

Popliteal cysts are mainly divided into two types: primary cysts, which are common in adolescents and may be related to genetics, and secondary cysts, which occur in adults and are often associated with meniscal injuries and rheumatoid arthritis.

Additionally, diseases that cause knee joint effusion and increased intra-articular pressure, such as knee joint tuberculosis and gout, may also induce popliteal cysts.

▶ Symptoms of Popliteal Cysts

● Most cases have no obvious pain, but a mass can be felt in the popliteal fossa, which is more noticeable when the knee is extended.

● Larger cysts may cause a feeling of fullness, discomfort, or pain in the posterior knee, and limited knee flexion.

▶ Treatment Methods for Popliteal Cysts

● Generally, surgical removal is required, but conservative treatment can involve aspiration.

● However, if the popliteal cyst is caused by another disease, simply removing the cyst without addressing the underlying issue may result in a high recurrence rate.

The above content aims to help runners suffering from posterior knee pain, allowing those who love running to run healthily.

The above content is from 'Injury-Free Running'

authorized for release by People's Posts and Telecommunications Publishing House.