Question

What causes pain down front of leg below knee?

Answer 1

The causes of pain down the front of your leg below your knee is often a result of overuse injuries such as shin splints, patellar tendinitis or even patellofemoral pain syndrome, also known as runner's knee.

Other causes of pain down the front of your leg below your knee are stress fractures, nerve damage/irritation and even muscle strain.

Relieving the pain down the front of your leg below your knee involves rest, ice and strengthening your knee, although severe pain down the front of your leg below your knee requires medical attention.

Shin splints or medial tibial stress syndrome often causes aching pain along your shinbone and is caused by repetitive stress.

Patellar Tendinitis also known as Jumper's knee results in inflammation of the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shin and is often a result of running or jumping.

Patellar Pain Syndrome, also known as Runner's knee, results in dull, aching pain in the front of your knee or just below, which is often caused by your kneecap not tracking correctly.

Tibialis Anterior Strain, results in overuse of the muscle in the front of your shin and is common in runners or after sudden increases in activity.

Stress fractures, which are small cracks in your tibia also known as your shinbone caused by repetitive impact and is common in athletes can cause pain down the front of the leg below the knee.

And compartment syndrome, which is a serious condition where swelling occurs in the muscle and results in pressure and restricted blood flow can result in pain down the front of the leg below the knee.

When the top of your calf hurts behind your knee the cause is often a result of a strain of your gastrocnemius or hamstring muscles, popliteal tendonitis or even Baker's cysts.

When your calf hurts behind your knee, it often results from sudden activity or overuse, or even underlying joint issues.

Rest, ice and elevation can help to relieve the calf pain behind your knee.

Although if you have any severe swelling or pain, it requires medical attention.

Strain to your gastrocnemius (top of calf) or hamstring muscles can cause localized pain, stiffness and weakness and inflammation of your popliteal tendon behind your knee, often creates a pulling sensation.

And injury to your meniscus or ligaments like an ACL or PCL injury can cause swelling and pain to radiate to the back of your knee and upper calf.

And another condition called deep vein thrombosis can also lead to calf pain behind your knee, although deep vein thrombosis is a serious condition that involves a blood clot that requires immediate medical attention, which is often accompanied by warmth, swelling and redness in the calf.

The causes of a Baker's cyst is an overproduction of synovial fluid in your knee joint.

The overproduction of synovial fluid in your knee joint that causes a Baker's cyst is often a result of underlying joint damage, like arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or even tears to the cartilage like meniscus injuries.

The resulting excess fluid build up fills a bursa behind your knee and causes swelling.

The most common causes of a Baker's cyst is arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, which leads to chronic inflammation and increased fluid buildup.

Knee injuries like tears in your meniscus or cartilage or other structural knee injuries can also lead to the formation of a Baker's cyst.

Inflammation, from any condition that causes persistent joint swelling or synovitis can lead to formation of a Baker's cyst.

And even inflammatory conditions like Gout can also result in the development of a Baker's cyst.

Your knee joint products a fluid called synovial fluid that is used to lubricate your joints and reduce friction.

But when the joint is inflamed or damaged, it produces too much of the synovial fluid.

The excess fluid that is produced is forced into a small, fluid filled sac called a bursa, located behind your knee, which results in the bulge that is called a Baker's cyst.

Risk factors for a Baker's cyst include being over the age of 40 and being a woman.

Adults over the age of 40 are more commonly affected by Baker's cysts although anyone of any age can get them.

And women are also more affected and more likely to get Baker's cysts than men.

Baker's cysts can be painful and also limit your movement, although they are usually nothing to worry about.

The best treatment for a Baker's cyst is to address the underlying knee issue, like a meniscus tear or arthritis, instead of just treating the Baker's cyst itself.

The most effective treatments for a Baker's cyst is the RICE method, or Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation, as well as taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen and even doing physical therapy to strengthen your knee.

Most Baker's cysts go away without surgery, although they can be persistent and cause pain and may require ultrasound guided drainage or corticosteroid injections.