Can Knee Pain Cause Low Back Pain

Knee osteoarthritis remains a significant problem among US adults 60 years and older. A recent study suggests knee arthritis rates are as high as 37 % with women showing higher rates vs men and higher rates among those with significant weight problems.

As a result, many of these patients opt for a total knee replacement. However, patients often suffer from pain and have difficulty walking for many years before deciding to proceed with such surgery. Living with pain for an extended period typically causes changes in how a patient walks in an attempt to relieve the pain associated with knee arthritis. Sometimes this is even done subconsciously, but it can lead to additional problems, such as low back pain . An example of how knee pain can cause low back pain would be a knee flexed position that leads to a patient leaning forward when walking. This changes at the pelvis and contributes to low back pain.

Can A Knee Protrusion Cause Lower Back Pain

While the discomfort can be due to a knee condition, it can also be the result of a disc protrusion or a pinched nerve in your lower back. Working with your doctor and a physical therapist can help determine if that is the case. The nerve roots that transmit the sensation of pain to the legs and feet are located in the lower back.

Hot And Cold Treatments

Many people have found that hot and cold treatments help relieve back pain. You might try both to find out which works better for you. Heat relaxes muscles and soothes painful areas. There are many ways to apply heat. Some people like hot showers or baths, while others prefer using heat lamps, heating pads or warm compresses. If you have arthritis, heating your muscles first might make it easier for you to do back exercises. Be sure not to fall asleep while using heat. Cold has a numbing effect. This often helps relieve pain. You might try one of these methods for applying cold:

• a large ice cube used to massage the area
• a frozen package of vegetables
• a commercially made cold pack.
• Be sure not to leave ice on after the skin becomes numb. This could lead to localized frostbite. Do not use cold if you are especially sensitive to it or
• have decreased circulation or sensation. Read the pain management article for more information about heat and cold.

Don’t Miss: Bible Verses About Physical Pain And Healing

What Vitamin Is Good For Back Pain

Often referred to as the vitamin C, vitamin B12 is not only an excellent source for building energy through its vitamin action but also contributes to immune function, health of nerve and blood cells, and the functioning of DNA. An additional benefit of vitamin B12 when compared to low back pain could be its ability to ease pain in a few muscles, as shown in a study conducted in 2000.

Read Also: Whiten Knees Fast

What Are Sciatica Causes

Sciatica is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. Usually, there is no specific injury that is related to the onset of sciatica. Occasionally, the pain will suddenly begin after lifting something heavy or moving quickly. The following are causes of sciatica:

• A herniated disc : Disc herniation is the most common cause of sciatica. When a disc herniates near the spinal nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve, it can cause pressure on the nerve, or irritation, which results in the symptoms of sciatica.
• Discs are the cushions between the bones in the back. They act like shock absorbers when we move, bend, and lift. They are the size and shape of checkers.
• There is a tough ring around the outside of each disc and a thick jellylike center inside . If the outer edge of the disc ruptures, the center can push through and put pressure on the sciatic nerve, leading to the pain of sciatica .

You May Like: Pain In Elbow When Extending

Lower Back And Knee Pain Related

There are many possible causes of lower back and knee pain. It is often difficult to determine the exact cause without a thorough medical examination. However, some possible causes include: arthritis, bursitis, nerve compression, and muscle strain. Treatment for lower back and knee pain often depends on the underlying cause. However, some common treatments include: anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and pain relief techniques.

Is lower back pain related to knee pain? You may not be aware of it, but there is a direct link between your knee and your back pain. Lower spine nerves drive the muscles of the knee. It is possible for problems with the nerves in the back to affect the function of these muscles and cause pain in the knees. A damaged sciatic nerve can cause tingling in the lower back, hip, buttocks, knees, and feet, in addition to causing numbness in the back, hip, buttocks, knees, and feet. As a result of the herniation, sciatic pain is frequently accompanied by other symptoms. A stiff back can be managed by adjusting your posture.

Knee Pain Comes With Back Pain

When you are experiencing knee pain along with back, or neck pain. Its one of the easiest symptoms to determine. Even though these two are unrelated, do not neglect them. As we mentioned above, even a pinched nerve in the lower spine might lead to knee pain. Whats more important, even very mild pain, or discomfort in the back, which may seem unrelated, can be connected to your knee pain. Dont ignore it! In particular when you sit a lot.Whether you travel a lot for a living, or have a desk job, thus spend most of your day sitting down, you should consider the correlation between knee and back pain. Remember that sitting shortens the disc height and increases the disc bulge by pushing water out of the disc. Thats why its more likely that both knee and back pain are linked and your spine is the cause.

Also Check: Le Pain Quotidien Nyc Locations

Chill It Lower Back Pain And Knee Weakness

Ice is best in the first 24 to 2 days after an injury because it minimizes inflammation. Despite the fact that the heat really feels good since it assists cover up the pain and it does aid kick back the muscular tissues, the warmth really irritates the inflammatory procedures. After two days, you can change to warm if you like. Whether you utilize heat or ice take it off after around 20 mins to provide your skin a rest. If pain continues, talk with a medical professional.

Dont Miss: Advil For Lower Back Pain

> > > 1 Unlikely Stretch Wipes Out Sciatica

How acupuncture worksBroadly, acupuncture involves stimulation of points along these energy flows through a range of techniques. Stimulation is typically performed using very fine needles that create gentle sensations. Each of these needles are inserted into specific points along these energy pathways or meridians.

Can acupuncture help my back PainAcupuncture is considered useful in treating such conditions as lower back pain, sciatica, stiffness, and strains. In traditional acupuncture theory, pain arises due to blocked energy along energy pathways or meridians of the body, which are cleared when acupuncture needles are inserted. In modern medicine, scientific reasons have been put forward for the apparent benefits that acupuncture provides for the sufferers of lower back pain. One observation is that acupuncture stimulation causes the releases neurochemicals and hormones, regarded as producing signals that soothe the sympathetic nervous system and release natural opioids which provide back pain relief.Can Knee Pain Cause Back Pain

Can Alexander Technique help my back painBy becoming more aware of how the body works and learning how to undo bad body practices, those suffering with long term or chronic back pain are able to soothe and ease their symptoms. Pupils of Alexander technique can learn how to pupils how to liberate needless muscle tension and, freer means of movement which impose less strain and therefore back pain relief.

Recommended Reading: Can Smoking Cause Chest Pain

When Are Diagnostic Tests For Lower Back Pain Necessary

Many patients do not need X-rays in the first few weeks of pain because their pain will end up resolving. Many more do not need CT scans or MRI imaging, which are overly sensitive and often reveal abnormalities not related to the patients pain. These forms of imaging can be extremely useful, however, if a person has chronic or severe pain, and/or neurological symptoms. Blood tests may be ordered if an infection or tumor is suspected.

Treatment For Back And Knee Pain In Kansas City Missouri

If you are experiencing back or knee pain, the experts at Advanced Bone & Joint can help. We can alleviate your pain and restore good bodily functions through advanced pain management methods and customized rehabilitation techniques. We also offer orthopedic urgent care to patients who suffer injuries that need immediate care.

To make an appointment, call at 229-4222 or fill out our appointment request form.

Recommended Reading: Minnesota Head And Neck Pain Clinic

How Does Knee Pain Cause Back Pain

Knee pain can alter the way you walk. Walking with limp changes how long you place weight on each leg. This can alter the movement at the hip joints and cause the low back to twist or side bend more with walking activity.

When abnormal movement happens at the knee, the forces are transferred through the hips, pelvis, and lumbar spine or low back. Over time, this can cause excessive wear and tear in the low back and lead to pain.

What Are The Specifics Of Sciatic Knee Pain

Symptoms: If your sciatic nerve is causing your knee pain, youll likely experience any or all of the following symptoms:

• Buckling of the knee when youre standing or walking
• Dull ache, sharp pain, paresthesia, or feeling of warmth in the knee which can be in the front, back, or the side
• Knee lacks the ability to bear weight
• Weakness when straightening the leg

Causes: If your sciatic nerve is contributing to your knee pain, you may also have pain in your buttocks, calf, foot, or thigh. Tight hamstring muscles which are the muscles at the back of your thigh can alter the normal curvature of your lower spine, which places stress on your spine. Some health issues such as spinal stenosis or a herniated disc can compress the L4 spinal nerve root and cause knee pain.

Treatments: Treatments for sciatic knee pain differ depending on the cause. However, alleviating the pressure or discomfort on the sciatic nerve is usually the starting point.

Sciatic pain can develop gradually or suddenly, so you may not notice the pain immediately. If your pain occurs due to arthritis or a similar disease, then it may have a gradual onset, but if its caused by a sudden condition such as a herniated disc, then it may have a sudden onset.

Don’t Miss: What Causes Chest Pain If Ecg Is Normal

What Is The Pain At The Back Of My Knee

A swelling at the back of the knee and calf causing pain, and a feeling of tightness when straightening the leg. This may be due to a Bakers Cyst, which is an accumulation of synovial fluid in the popliteal fossa. The synovial fluid is over-produced, due often to a trauma to the knee or in conditions such as arthritis

Diagnosis Of Back Pain

Regardless of what type of doctor you see, there are some things you can expect your doctor to do during your visit. Your doctor first will ask you a number of questions, the most common of which are listed as follows:

• What are your symptomsthat is, what aches or pains do you have?
• Exactly where is the pain?
• Where is the pain the most severe?
• When did the pain begin?
• How long have you had it?
• Did something specific cause your back pain, such as an accident or injury?
• What home treatments have you used?
• Were you under any additional stress when the pain began?
• Do you have any other health problems?
• What kind of work do you do?
• In what types of recreational activities do you participate?

Think about these ahead of time so you can answer them easily. You also may have questions youd like to ask the doctor. As you think of questions at home, jot them down and take them to the appointment.

Next, your doctor will give you a physical exam. During the exam, the doctor may perform any of the following: observe your muscles and joints ask you to sit and lie down ask you to move your back in different positions observe and feel the area of most pain and/or check to see if other areas of your body are tender or painful If the doctor can identify the likely cause of your back pain at this point, no further tests will be needed.

Also Check: Lower Back Pain And Missed Period Negative Pregnancy Test

Protection Rest Ice Compression And Elevation

Rest, ice, compression, and elevation may help treat mild knee pain that results from a soft tissue injury, such as a sprain.

Protection refers to protecting the knee from further injury, for example, by taking a break from the activity that caused it.

Rest can reduce the risk of further injury and give tissues time to heal. However, stopping all movement is not advisable, as this can lead to stiffness and, in time, muscle weakness.

Ice can help reduce swelling and inflammation. It should be wrapped in a cloth and applied for 20 minutes several times on the first day of injury. Never put ice directly the skin, as this can lead to further damage.

Compression with a knee support, for example, can increase comfort levels. The support or bandage should be firm but not tight.

Elevation, or keeping the leg raised, will encourage circulation and reduce swelling. Ideally, the knee should be above the level of the heart.

Is Surgery Necessary For Sciatica

If, despite doing everything one is instructed to do, the pain continues and the CT or MRI shows a problem with the disc or bone, back surgery may be recommended. Back surgery is generally performed for patients who have tried all other methods of treatment first. There are exceptions to this, such as people with ongoing nerve damage or cauda equina syndrome.

You May Like: Dcf Knee Compression Sleeve

Recommended Reading: Will Tylenol Help With Tooth Pain

Treatment Tips You Can Follow To Manage Knee Pain

Depending on your physicians diagnosis, they can create a specific treatment plan which will address the root cause of your problem and help you relieve knee pain. Surgery is often not the first option a specialist will propose for your treatment.

You can expect your doctor to recommend physical therapy, postural correction, and self-care to help you heal. Here are a few treatment tips you can follow to help you care for your body:

The Risks Of Hip Replacement Surgery

There are numerous advantages to knee replacement surgery. It is important to remember, however, that while knee replacement surgery can cause only minor pain in the knee, it can cause pain throughout the body. Hip replacement surgery can also cause pain in the hips and lower back. Hip replacement surgery can cause serious pain. In fact, it is frequently so severe that it is difficult for patients to continue with their daily activities. As a result, it is critical that patients are aware of the risks of hip replacement. It is also critical to note that not all hip replacement surgeries are created equal. Hip replacement surgery has a greater chance of causing pain. As a result, it is critical that you choose the right hip replacement procedure. If you are experiencing pain after knee or hip replacement surgery, you should consult with your doctor. The doctor may be able to recommend ways to alleviate the pain. They could also refer patients to other pain treatments if the pain worsens.

Also Check: Yeast Infection Lower Back Pain And Abdominal Pain

Sciatic Nerve Links The Back To The Legs

The most common back ailments that cause pain in the knees are related to the sciatic nerve. If you have back pain and feel a shooting sensation originating from your lower back running down your leg and through your knee, your sciatic nerve is to blame.

As the longest and largest nerve that runs through the body, the sciatic nerve if damaged or compromised can cause debilitating pain. The condition is called sciatica, and it is often the byproduct of a degenerative nerve condition or an injury .

When any part of the spine puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, the result may be shooting pain or a tingling sensation that travels from the back down to your hips, buttocks, knees, and feet.

Lower Back And Knee Facts

The sciatic nerve is responsible for providing neurological signals to much of the lower anatomy, including the knee. The nerve roots which compose the sciatic are sourced in the lumbar spinal region. Therefore, there can certainly be a spinal relationship which causes pain in the back and sciatica symptoms in the legs, including the knee. This is also a very common diagnostic theory and is sometimes accurate. I suffer from this combination myself .

However, ischemia is known to attack the soft tissues and nerves in the back as one of its favorite targets. Ischemia can cause widespread and severe back pain and the effect on the sciatic nerve and its peripheral branches can cause chronic knee pain, as well. Dr. Sarno speaks of this combination of symptoms existing in many patients, either in successive bouts or even concurrently with one another.

Lower Back and Knee Pain Analysis

If there is no obvious injury or functionality concern causing the pain, then something else must be responsible. In most cases, spinal MRI will turn up some structural condition in the lumbosacral region to blame the pain upon. This is simply due to the universality of arthritis and disc desiccation in the region and the virtual universality of herniated discs. In the majority of cases, this diagnostic therapy turns out to be unenlightened and downright incorrect. The abysmal curative results offered by most back pain treatments and many knee surgeries support this fact 100%.

You May Like: Painful Lump In Groin Female