What causes a swollen feeling behind the knee, and what should be done about it?
The swelling behind the knee may be caused by physiological factors, or it could result from pathological conditions such as trauma or osteoarthritis. Treatment may include general management or medication depending on the specific cause. The details are as follows:
1. Physiological Causes
If proper warm-up exercises are not performed before physical activity, the muscles around the knee joint may become chilled, leading to muscle spasms and causing the aforementioned symptoms. These symptoms usually gradually subside with appropriate rest.
2. Pathological Causes
1) Trauma
If the back of the knee sustains an injury, soft tissues, ligaments, or the joint capsule may be damaged, resulting in bleeding and edema, which can lead to the symptoms described above. For such cases, patients are advised to use heat therapy or infrared treatment to help improve symptoms.
2) Osteoarthritis
Risk factors for osteoarthritis include congenital deformities, uneven joint surfaces, and injuries. If a person has this condition, inflammatory stimulation may trigger the discomfort mentioned above. In such cases, patients may follow medical advice to take medications such as celecoxib capsules or ibuprofen sustained-release capsules.
In addition to the causes listed above, similar symptoms may also be related to conditions such as Baker's cyst, bursitis, or knee tuberculosis. If symptoms persist or fail to improve, individuals should promptly seek evaluation at a qualified medical facility.