Do you frequently experience persistent pain behind your knee? 

Studies show that 46.2% of people experience knee pain at some point. Posterior knee pain, commonly called pain behind the knee, is associated with discomfort at the back of the knee joint. The term ‘posterior’ denotes the rear aspect of the knee. 

People experiencing discomfort in the back of their knee may also notice swelling. The swelling can be limited to just the back of the knee or extend down into the calf area. In severe cases, the swelling can make it difficult to bend the leg properly.

Why does pain lurk behind your knee? What could be causing this discomfort? Can this pain be managed at home? At Orlando Orthopedic Center, we diagnose posterior knee pain and help patients with treatment plans. Here is how we look at pain behind the knee and what you can do to manage discomfort.

Pain behind the knee can stem from various health conditions, with two prevalent culprits being a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury and a popliteal cyst, also known as Baker’s cyst.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament

A PCL injury occurs when the ligament, spanning from the thigh to the shin bone, undergoes overstretching or tearing, often resulting from a forceful impact to the front of the bent knee. Instances like hitting the knee on a dashboard during a car accident or hyperextension, where the leg is over-straightened, can lead to this injury.

Baker’s Cyst

On the other hand, a popliteal cyst is characterized by a collection of fluid or material within a thin tissue layer in the shallow pit at the rear of the knee. Typically associated with other knee-related conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or cartilage injuries, this cyst can develop when the knee undergoes injury, leading to fluid accumulation. Sensations of this fluid collection are often felt in the depression at the back of the knee.

Osteoarthritis

Adding to the roster of causes, knee osteoarthritis emerges as a common source of knee pain. This condition involves the deterioration of the smooth and shiny cartilage lining the knee joint, resulting in discomfort and long-term damage. Predominantly affecting individuals over 50, the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis increases.

Pain behind the knee can be attributed to various factors, such as:

• With age, degeneration of the knee joint leads to conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Knee injuries, including ligament damage or torn cartilage.
• Uncommon occurrences like benign or cancerous growths.
• Rare instances of infection, as seen in septic arthritis.

During your medical evaluation, your doctor will thoroughly examine your knee and inquire about your medical history and symptoms. Key points of discussion may include:

• The nature of the pain, its onset, and whether it is intermittent or persistent.
• Your level of physical activity.
• The pain may be linked to specific activities, accidents, or injuries.

In cases where a posterior cruciate ligament injury is suspected, your doctor might recommend diagnostic imaging such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. If there are indications of a popliteal cyst, your healthcare provider may suggest an ultrasound scan.

In the event of a knee injury, it is advisable to adhere to the POLICE and HARM protocols.

POLICE:

Protect: Protect the area that has been injured.
Optimal Loading: Apply the appropriate amount of stress to encourage healing.
Ice: Utilize ice to alleviate symptoms.
Compression: Apply compression to manage swelling.
Elevation: Elevate the injured leg to reduce swelling.

HARM:

Heat: Avoid applying heat to the injured area.
Alcohol: Minimize alcohol consumption during the recovery period.
Running: Refrain from engaging in running activities.
Massage: Avoid massaging the injured knee temporarily to prevent further damage.

If you find it challenging to bear weight on your leg, crutches may be necessary.

While popliteal cysts often resolve independently without requiring specific treatment, consulting a doctor is recommended, especially if you experience pain in the knee. This discomfort could indicate a more serious condition, such as a blood clot in your leg. Neglecting medical attention for a posterior cruciate ligament injury may lead to complications later on.

Seek medical attention if you: 

• Have difficulty walking and bearing weight on your leg
• Experience severe pain, even without putting weight on it
• Buckle at the knees
• Hear your knee clicking
• Lock up in knee pain 
• Notice your knee looks deformed or misshapen
• Feel heat see redness, or experience significant swelling
• Develop a fever along with knee pain 
• Notice pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, or a bluish discoloration in your calf 

If you grapple with persistent pain behind the knee, it’s time to take action. If you are ready to enhance your quality of life, don’t hesitate to consult with one of our specialists at the Orlando Orthopaedic Center. Schedule your appointment today and let our orthopaedic doctors guide you toward a healthier, more active life.

Are sports a part of your child’s life? Millions of youth athletes actively participate in various sports, reaping the benefits of physical activity, teamwork, and discipline. However, along with the excitement of competition comes the risk of injury. 

How prevalent are sports injuries among young athletes? There are more than 3.5 million sports injuries in children annually. This statistic underscores the importance of injury prevention and education. So, how can parents and coaches ensure the safety of their young athletes while fostering their love for sports?

At Orlando Orthopaedic Center, we strongly believe that every athlete, regardless of age or skill level, is entitled to exceptional sports medicine care, just like professional athletes. We are here to assist you in comprehending the nine most prevalent sports injuries common in young athletes.

Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are among the most common sports injuries in children. They often occur during activities that require sudden changes in direction or awkward landings. Sports such as basketball, soccer, and football, which require cutting or twisting actions, pose a higher risk for ankle sprains. 

When the ligaments that support the ankle are stretched or torn, it can result in pain, swelling, bruising, and instability. Although many sprains can heal with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), some cases may require intervention from an orthopedic specialist.

ACL Tears

The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is a vital stabilizing component of the knee joint and is prone to injury during sports requiring rapid direction or jumping changes. Basketball, volleyball, tennis, and soccer are some activities that pose a higher risk of ACL tears. A torn ACL can cause pain, swelling, and limited knee movement. 

Treatment options include conservative measures like rehabilitation or surgical intervention for more severe tears.

Osgood-Schlatter

Inflammation of the growth plate at the top of the shin bone is a common symptom of Osgood-Schlatter, which causes knee pain in active adolescents. Due to tight muscles and high activity levels, this condition frequently develops due to repetitive stress on the knee joint. Symptoms may include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Visible bump below the knee. 

Effective management typically involves a combination of rest, activity modification, and orthopaedic evaluation.

Little League Elbow

Little League elbow is a common injury among young baseball and softball players caused by repetitive stress on the growth plate inside the elbow. Pitchers, catchers, and infielders are at high risk because of the repetitive throwing motions involved in their positions. 

Early recognition, rest, and proper pitching techniques can help prevent long-term complications and preserve elbow health.

Little League Shoulder

Compared to Little League elbow, this condition impacts the shoulder instead. It involves repetitive stress or micro-trauma to the growth plate of the shoulder, typically afflicting children aged 11 to 14. Aptly named, this ailment is prevalent among softball and baseball pitchers, although it can also manifest in swimmers and tennis players.

Shin Splints

Shin splints are a condition characterized by pain and discomfort in the front of the lower legs that commonly affects children who engage in high-impact activities such as running or jumping. Factors such as overtraining, inadequate conditioning, or wearing improper footwear can contribute to the development of shin splints. 

To prevent and manage shin splints, it is important to follow a gradual progression of activity, perform proper warm-up routines, and use supportive footwear.

Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis is a stress fracture that usually occurs in the lumbar spine and commonly affects young athletes who engage in sports that require repetitive hyperextensions of the spine, such as weightlifting or gymnastics.

Lower back pain is a symptom of this condition, which results from repeated stress on the vertebrae that causes tiny fractures. The treatment for this condition usually involves taking rest, modifying activities to avoid further injury, and performing targeted exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles and support spinal health.

Turf Toe

Turf toe is a condition commonly seen in athletes in sports like football or soccer. It requires them to forcefully push off the ground. The condition is characterized by the hyperextension of the big toe joint, which causes pain and swelling. It is important to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment to avoid long-term complications and ensure a quick recovery.

Conclusion

Concussions are a major cause of concern in youth sports, primarily resulting from direct blows to the head during athletic activities.

If a young athlete experiences headaches, dizziness, confusion, or visual disturbances following a head injury, it is important to seek prompt medical attention. Proper evaluation and management by a healthcare professional are important for ensuring the safety and well-being of young athletes and preventing potential long-term consequences.

Youth Athlete Injury Prevention 

As parents and coaches, we are responsible for prioritizing the safety and well-being of young athletes. By familiarizing ourselves with the common injuries associated with youth sports and taking preventive measures, we can help reduce the risk of injury and ensure that our children continue to enjoy and benefit from their participation in sports.

If your child experiences sports-related injuries or concerns, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with Orlando Orthopaedic Center for expert evaluation and personalized care. Let’s work together to keep our young athletes safe and thriving on the field, court, or track.

Are you waking up with knee pain but haven’t had an injury? Studies show that nearly 1 in 4 adults experience knee pain at some point, even without a clear injury. 

If your knee bothers you first thing in the morning, it could be due to a lack of movement throughout the night. This causes the muscles and tissues around the knee joint to tighten. However, if the knee pain remains consistent, there could be an underlying cause.

When you experience knee pain without a specific injury, it’s incredibly confusing, and several conditions may be causing the issue. Non-injury-related knee pain can often stem from underlying conditions like arthritis or inflammation.

Bursitis

Bursitis is a condition that involves the inflammation of the bursae, which are small fluid-filled sacs located throughout the body, including around the joints. These bursae act as cushions between bones, tendons, muscles, and skin, reducing friction and allowing smooth movement of these structures. Activities or professions involving repetitive motions or prolonged pressure on specific joints can increase the risk of bursitis.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis, or tendonitis, refers to the inflammation or irritation of a tendon, which is the thick fibrous tissue attaching muscle to bone. It typically occurs due to overuse, repetitive movement, or sudden injury, causing pain, tenderness, and sometimes swelling near the affected tendon.

Baker’s Cyst

Baker’s, or popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled swelling that develops behind the knee. This cyst occurs when excess joint fluid collects and forms a lump, leading to a bulge at the back of the knee. It’s often associated with conditions like arthritis or knee joint injuries.

In many cases, Baker’s cysts resolve on their own, but treatment might be necessary if they cause significant discomfort or limit mobility.

Osteoarthritis 

Osteoarthritis is commonly known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis. It occurs when the protective cartilage cushions the ends of bones within a joint and gradually wears down over time. This condition might be due to aging, joint injury, obesity, overuse of the joint, or genetic factors. 

Research shows that over 30 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, making it a prevalent cause of knee discomfort.

Rheumatoid Arthritis 

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis can affect multiple joints simultaneously. It typically causes inflammation, pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints, particularly the smaller joints in the hands and feet. Over time, it may lead to joint damage and deformity. 

This condition is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium, the lining of the membranes surrounding the joints. The cause of this immune response is not fully understood, but it’s believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

If you are experiencing persistent knee pain without a clear injury, it is advisable to seek professional guidance. But if you are trying to manage the pain for the time being or seeking treatment, here is what you could do: 

• Rest
• Ice
• Use anti-inflammatory medication 
• Rehabilitation/Physical therapy
• Targeted exercises/stretches
• Weight management
• Orthotic support 

In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to enhance mobility and quality of life. Here are some procedures that could be a treatment option: 

• Arthroscopic Surgery: a minimally invasive procedure to diagnose and treat issues like damaged cartilage.
• Total Knee Replacement: Replace damaged joints with artificial parts to reduce pain and improve function.
• Partial Knee Replacement: Replaces only the affected portion of the knee joint.
• Knee Ligament Reconstruction: Repairs or rebuilds torn ligaments for stability.
• Cartilage Repair: Various techniques stimulate new cartilage growth or replace damaged areas.
• Lateral Release: Addresses patellar issues by releasing tight structures around the kneecap.
• Synovectomy: removes the inflamed joint lining (Synovium) to reduce pain and swelling.

These surgeries are only considered based on the specific condition, its severity, and when conservative treatments aren’t effective.

We are excited to announce Bruce R. Hoffen, M.D., has joined the Orlando Orthopaedic Center team and is now seeing patients at our Downtown Orlando, Lake Mary, and Winter Park locations.

Dr. Hoffen completed his residency training in clinical neurophysiology and is board-certified in Neurology. He specializes in headaches, memory disorders, neuromuscular diseases, and EMG/NCV studies.

After growing up in Chicago, Dr. Hoffen studied Biology at the University of Illinois. He received his Doctor of Medicine at The Chicago Medical School, where he received the Dean’s Award for service. Upon graduation, he completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Illinois Medical Center. He then went to the Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, IL, where he completed his neurology residency and clinical neurophysiology fellowship.

Desiring warm and sunny winters, Dr. Hoffen moved to South Florida and was a partner in a single specialty neurology group. In 1997, he relocated to Orlando and established Florida NeuroHealth, a solo neurology practice he managed for 26 years. He has been a principal investigator on multiple clinical trials in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Since 2009, he has maintained a teaching affiliation as a neurology assistant professor at the University of Central Florida Medical School. Moreover, he is actively involved in the American Academy of Neurology, serving on the Sports Neurology Sub-Section and Clinical Neurophysiology Sub-Section since 2011 and 2009.

Dr. Hoffen’s practice focuses on diagnosing and treating headaches, memory disorders, and nerve and muscle diseases. He specializes in and performs Botox for headaches and EMG-NCV testing of nerves and muscles. Dr. Hoffen has extensive experience managing worker’s compensation and sports neurology cases.