Leg muscle pain may be located above or below the knee. Doctors at the Yusupov Hospital use modern examination methods to determine its cause. Complex treatment is aimed at eliminating the factors that caused muscle pain, influencing the mechanisms of disease development and eliminating the pain syndrome. For this purpose, the Yusupov Hospital uses the latest drugs that are highly effective and have minimal side effects.
Professors and doctors of the highest category use their own methods of restorative therapy. Rehabilitation specialists prescribe effective physiotherapeutic procedures, use modern manual therapy techniques, and conduct acupuncture sessions. The high professional level of specialists, a patient-oriented approach to the treatment of diseases that cause pain in the muscles above or below the knee, and the use of the latest techniques allow the doctors of the rehabilitation clinic to consolidate the effect of drug therapy and prevent exacerbation of the pathological process.
Causes and development of joint arthrosis
The degenerative-dystrophic process of joint destruction can be caused by a variety of reasons. These may be congenital disorders of the connective tissue structure, trauma, chronic inflammation (arthritis), as well as age-related changes.
Among the factors predisposing to the appearance and development of arthrosis, it is worth noting:
- physical inactivity (sedentary lifestyle),
- heavy physical activity (sports, hard work),
- excess weight,
- endocrine and hormonal pathologies,
- venous insufficiency,
- bad habits,
- unhealthy diet
- hereditary predisposition.
Under the influence of any of these factors, cartilage tissue begins to slowly deteriorate. The cartilage becomes thinner, loses elasticity and cracks over time. The bone tissue located under the cartilage grows, this limits the mobility of the joint and leads to its deformation. The destruction of cartilage tissue is accompanied by inflammation, as a result of which the process of death of hard tissue cells intensifies.
Since there are no nerve endings in the cartilage, the patient does not feel pain for a long time, although the process of destruction of the joint has already begun. That is why it is important to take preventive measures and undergo a timely examination by an orthopedic traumatologist.
The appointment is conducted by traumatologists
Denis Ivanovich Burmakin - Deputy Director for Medical Affairs, orthopedic traumatologist. Extensive experience in emergency traumatology, pediatric orthopedics, and rehabilitation after injuries.
Ask a question Read more...
Bryukhanov Anatoly Valentinovich - microsurgeon.
Ask a question Read more...
Bryukhanov Vladimir Innokentievich - traumatologist-orthopedist, highest qualification category, Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, work experience of more than 35 years.
Ask a question Read more...
Zotov Vyacheslav Viktorovich - orthopedic traumatologist.
Ask a question Read more...
Pospelov Yuri Vladimirovich - orthopedic traumatologist.
Ask a question Read more...
Klimov Vladimir Aleksandrovich - orthopedic traumatologist. Operating traumatologist-orthopedist.
Ask a question Read more...
Dmitry Anatolyevich Shcherbovich - orthopedic traumatologist, chiropractor, physiotherapist, first medical category, 13 years of work experience. Head of the rehabilitation department.
Ask a question Read more...
Stages of development of joint arthrosis
There are the following degrees of joint arthrosis:
1. Initial . Weak dull pain with prolonged exercise, sometimes a crunching sound when bending the joint.
2. Lightweight . Increased pain, joint stiffness in the morning.
3. Moderate . Muscle pain at night, sometimes mild swelling.
4.Heavy . Constant aching pain that intensifies during movement, severe crunching, deformation, muscle atrophy.
Read also[edit | edit code]
- Knee orthoses
- Hyperextension of the knee joint
- Femoral-patellar syndrome
- Knee sprain (treatment)
- Meniscus tear: symptoms and treatment
- Osteochondrosis dissecans
- Injuries and damage to the quadriceps femoris muscle
- Quadriceps tendon rupture
- Patellar ligament rupture
- Avulsion of the tibial tuberosity
- Knee ligaments Collateral ligament rupture
- Anterior cruciate ligament rupture
- Posterior cruciate ligament rupture
- Chondromalacia patella: symptoms and treatment
Pain in the leg muscle below the knee
Pain in the muscles below the knee is a sign of many diseases:
- mechanical damage to muscle fibers and tendons;
- varicose veins of the lower extremities;
- obliterating atherosclerosis and endarteritis;
- inflammation of muscles and nerves.
Most often, the leg muscles hurt below the knee due to high physical activity. Minor tendon injuries do not cause severe clinical symptoms, with the exception of periodic paroxysmal pain when walking. Mechanical damage to muscles over time with constant physical activity is complicated by inflammation, so swelling appears below the knee.
The second most common cause of pain in the knee muscles is diseases of the spine, in which the nerve endings are compressed:
- intervertebral hernia;
- severe osteochondrosis;
- spondylosis.
It intensifies when palpating the back of the lower leg and sharp turns of the body. The reason why the leg muscles below the knee hurt is bursitis (inflammation of the popliteal muscle sheaths). It occurs due to arthrosis of the knee joint or damage to the meniscus. With a pronounced narrowing of the joint space of the knee joint, the cartilaginous structures are damaged with the formation of inflammatory fluid. It accumulates in the tendon sheaths, which is why swelling of the popliteal fossa is observed.
Pain in the muscles below the knee can occur for the following reasons:
- nerve damage (polyneuropathy),
- inflammation of the bones (osteomyelitis);
- taking pharmaceuticals (statins);
- decreased levels of calcium, potassium, magnesium in the blood;
- impaired bone formation in children and adolescents (Osgood-Schlatter disease).
Muscle pain below the knee is not localized. It extends 10-15 cm, which indicates extensive damage to the anatomical structures of the lower limb. The pain syndrome intensifies with physical activity and weakens when it stops. Pain in the muscles below the knee bothers smokers. Severe pain occurs with thrombosis of the deep veins of the leg. It is localized below the knee and intensifies with dorsiflexion of the foot and compression of the lower leg in the anteroposterior direction.
With osteomyelitis of the tibia or fibula, pain below the knee is combined with purulent discharge on the surface of the skin through an open fistula. Its intensity depends on the state of the person’s immune system. When the meniscus is damaged, the pain is combined with limited mobility in the knee joint.
In case of inflammatory changes, doctors prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the severity of pain. Drugs in this group are used in the form of tablets, creams or ointments. For varicose veins, venotonics and wearing compression stockings are prescribed. Treatment of spinal diseases that cause pain below the knee is carried out by doctors at the Neurology Clinic. Vertebrologists prescribe chondroprotectors (Teraflex, Alflutop), muscle relaxants (Mydocalm), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to patients and perform blockades with local anesthetics. Rehabilitation specialists provide complex therapy using innovative methods of physical therapy, various types of massage, physiotherapeutic procedures, and reflexology.
Diagnosis and treatment of arthrosis
We invite you to the multidisciplinary medical center KIT for examination and subsequent treatment of arthrosis! We carry out diagnostics using:
- laboratory tests (blood test, intra-articular fluid if necessary);
- Ultrasound, radiography, arthroscopy.
The research results will help identify signs of inflammation, causes of pathology, changes in tissues, and make a diagnosis.
Treatment of joint arthrosis is prescribed individually, based on the medical history obtained. We practice an integrated approach, so the optimal set of medications and non-drug therapies will be selected for you.
Medicines are selected by the doctor taking into account the characteristics of the disease. These can be painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors, vitamins, antispasmodics. You will also be recommended exercise therapy, massage, physiotherapy (electrophoresis, laser therapy, electrical stimulation or another type chosen by the doctor).
We advise you not to delay your visit to a specialist and get examined as early as possible! In case of severe pain and loss of mobility, conservative treatment may not help, then surgery will be required to replace the destroyed joint with an artificial one.
Types of arthrosis
Depending on the location, there are knee, hip, interphalangeal, ankle, shoulder and other types of arthrosis.
Coxarthrosis is arthrosis of the hip joint , the most severe type, in which ligaments and muscles quickly become involved in the degenerative-dystrophic process. The onset of inflammation leads to partial or complete immobility. The pain is so severe that many patients are forced to agree to endoprosthetics.
Gonarthrosis - arthrosis of the knee joint , occurs most often. It goes unnoticed for a long time, then pain appears, which worsens when walking, climbing stairs, or standing still.
Arthrosis of the ankle joint is often post-traumatic in nature. Joint immobility rarely occurs, but without treatment the patient suffers from pain and stiffness when walking.
Arthrosis of the finger joints often develops in people engaged in small types of work (embroidery, knitting, etc.). Overgrowth of bone tissue leads to the appearance of nodules on the joints; pain is rare.
Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is typical for athletes and people involved in heavy physical labor. The pain radiates to the neck and shoulder, the joint crunches when moving, and stiffness is felt.
Arthrosis can also be observed in any part of the spine, temporomandibular and any other joint.
Secondary arthrosis develops against the background of injuries and various diseases . The causes of secondary arthrosis can be:
- Trauma . Inflammation can lead to joint deformation, dysfunction and pain.
- Gout . In the first years, the disease does not affect the joints in any way, but then the degenerative process begins.
- Diabetes . A prolonged increase in blood glucose levels causes metabolic pathology, which begins to destroy joints. Every second type 1 diabetic suffers from arthrosis. The disease mainly affects the metatarsal and tarsal bones, feet, and less commonly, the knees and hip joints.
- Orthopedic pathologies . Congenital or acquired hip dislocation, dysplasia (impaired formation), necrosis of the joint head, etc.
- Chronic arthritis . Osteoarthritis can result from arthritis caused by infection, rheumatism, psoriasis and other causes.
Pain above the knee
Muscle pain above the knee joint occurs when the quadriceps muscle is damaged, diseases of the spine, pathology of blood vessels and peripheral nerves, and inflammation of the femoral muscle. It appears after excessive physical activity, training or physical education, in which the thigh muscles received the main load. Traumatic injuries that cause muscle sprains, tears, or tears can also cause pain.
If the cause of pain in the leg muscles above the knee is an injury, a hematoma may appear at the site of the injury. The patient is prescribed rest for the sore limb, ice is applied, and the site of injury is fixed with an elastic bandage. At first, bed rest is necessary, then a gradual increase in load. Severe damage to muscle fibers requires surgical intervention.
Pain above the knee can occur in the case of the development of neuralgia, as a result of pinched nerve endings due to intervertebral hernia or severe osteochondrosis, with the growth of a spinal cord tumor or the presence of metastases, or curvature of the spine in the lumbar region.
Often the muscles above the knee hurt due to inflammation in the sciatic nerve. Pain has a wide range of patients; “lumbago” occurs – very intense, but periodic. In this case, neurologists prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, massage, and physiotherapeutic procedures.
Pain above the knee worries patients suffering from arthrosis of the knee joint. In this case, there is stiffness in movements and increased pain with slight load and movement. Severe deformity of the knee joint leads to muscle tension and contributes to pain. Pain in the thigh muscles may be an indirect sign of a traumatic lesion of the upper part of the patella, systemic arthritis or rheumatism affecting the knee joint.
A common cause of pain in the leg muscles above the knee is vascular pathology. With varicose veins, convoluted venous trunks are visible on the inner surface of the thigh. Disruption of nutrition and oxygen supply to the thigh muscles in obliterating diseases of the lower extremities causes severe pain. When metabolic products accumulate, irritation of nerve endings occurs. In this case, patients at the Yusupov Hospital are advised by a vascular surgeon. The phlebologist prescribes conservative therapy and, if indicated, performs minimally invasive operations.
If severe pain in the leg muscles above the knee occurs acutely, increases rapidly, and bothers both during movement and at rest, aseptic necrosis of the femoral head can be assumed. The disease develops as a result of impaired blood flow in the femoral artery after traumatic injury to the hip joint.
Myositis (muscle inflammation) causes the following symptoms:
- pain above the knee;
- swelling in the affected area;
- hyperemia (redness) of the skin of the thigh.
In this case, local treatment with ointments and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs orally helps well.