Back of Knee Pain (Posterior Knee Pain)

Back of knee pain is any discomfort that feels like it’s coming from behind your knee. This is the part of your knee between your hamstring and calf that creases when you bend your leg.

Healthcare providers sometimes call this posterior knee pain. Posterior is the medical name for the back of a body part.

Knee pain is extremely common. And that includes the occasional ache and pain at the back of your knee. But you shouldn’t feel pain behind your knee constantly, and it shouldn’t hurt every time you move. Visit a healthcare provider if you have pain behind your knee that lasts for more than a few days.

What does posterior knee pain feel like?

Everyone feels pain differently. But describing how the back of your knee hurts or what it feels like can help a healthcare provider diagnose its cause. Back of knee pain may feel:

• Sore
• Sharp or pinching
• Aching
• Stabbing
• Like a pressure or bubble that won’t go away

The pain might come and go. For example, you might feel pain when you’re walking or bending your knee. But it might get better when you sit down or stretch your leg out flat.

You might notice other symptoms along with the pain, including:

• Swelling or a bump you can see and feel
• A feeling of heat or warmth
• Hearing or feeling a click or pop
• Skin discoloration
• Bruising

What causes pain behind the knee?

Many injuries and conditions can cause pain behind your knee, including:

• Arthritis: There are many types of arthritis that can cause posterior knee pain. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two of the most common.
• Baker’s cysts: Baker’s cysts develop when something damages your knee and extra fluid drains into a small bump behind your knee.
• PCL injuries: The PCL is the ligament at the back of your knee. Anything that puts too much force on your knee can tear it.
• Tendinitis: Inflammation in a tendon can cause pain behind your knee.
• Meniscus tears: A torn meniscus can happen when you twist your leg suddenly. It can happen during everyday slips and trips or because of a sports injury.
• Leg muscle injuries: Muscle strains and other injuries can cause pain around or behind your knee. Hamstring strains or calf muscle injuries can send pain into other areas of the back of your leg.

How do you treat pain behind your knee?

A healthcare provider will suggest ways to relieve the pain behind your knee and treat its cause. The best treatments for you depend on what’s causing the pain. You should be able to manage most kinds of posterior knee pain at home. Some of the most common treatments include:

• The RICE or MEAT methods: These are ways to relieve pain and help injuries heal at home. Your provider will tell you which kinds of movements are safe while your knee heals. You might need to avoid certain physical activities.
• Medications: Your provider might suggest medications to relieve pain. Most people can take over-the-counter NSAIDs or acetaminophen. Ask your provider if it’s safe for you to take these medications. Your provider may prescribe corticosteroids or cortisone shots.
• Wearing a knee brace: A brace holds your knee in the correct alignment. This will take pressure off your knee while it heals.
• Physical therapy (PT): PT can help you regain strength and increase your flexibility. This can relieve pain. It can also help you reduce your risk of re-injuring your knee.
• Surgery: You probably won’t need surgery. But you might if you have a PCL tear or meniscus injury. Your provider might suggest a knee replacement if you have severe pain from arthritis that doesn’t get better after trying other treatments.

How can you prevent back of knee pain?

Staying safe when you’re physically active is the best way to prevent any type of knee pain. During physical activities:

• Warm up and stretch before working out or playing sports.
• Stretch and cool down when you’re done.
• Never “play through the pain” if your knee hurts during or after physical activity.
• Give your body time to recover after intense activity.
• Always wear the right protective equipment for any sport, exercise or work.

Follow these general safety tips to reduce your risk of an injury:

• Try to reduce clutter around your home or workspace to prevent trips and falls.
• Always use the proper tools or equipment at home to reach things. Never stand on chairs, tables or countertops.
• Use a cane or walker if you have difficulty walking or have an increased risk of falls.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

Visit a healthcare provider if:

• Pain behind your knee makes it hard to move or bend it
• Back of knee pain is bad enough to make you change your routine or avoid activities
• You have pain behind your knee for more than a few days in a row
• You notice swelling, a growth or a bump you can see and feel behind your knee
• You have pain along with a fever, or your knee feels warm to the touch