Pain in the limbs is often experienced by people. Does not matter age, gender. We will analyze why legs above the knee hurt, how to cope with these pains.

Manifestation of pain

Leg pain is a common phenomenon, accompanied by stiffness, limited mobility, a feeling of numbness from above and on the side of the knee. These are symptoms of the disease. Means to combat them are offered by traditional and traditional medicine.

The pains are sharp, intense and persistent. They appear in periods - in the mornings or evenings.

Similar leg pain:

• chronic
• acute (occurs periodically).

The occurrence of discomfort above the knees indicates both pathology and mild disorders.

Physiological causes of leg pain

These grounds are a reaction to external factors. They cope with them on their own. Unpleasant sensations occur in any area of ​​the leg. The causes of pain include:

• physical overload (consists of long-term running, walking) - krepatura occurs in untrained people. The reason is lactic acid, which accumulates in muscle tissue due to overload. Not having time to remove from the muscles, the acid provokes discomfort. The localization of discomfort depends on the working muscle group. Pain above the knees occurs with squats. Carefully distribute the loads during training, do the exercises correctly.
• long-term immobilization (prolonged sitting, standing in one position) - the pain occurs due to stagnation of venous blood, the circulation of which is disturbed. Fixed oxygen starvation. After resting, the sensations recede on their own. It is permissible to raise the legs above the level of the heart - this improves blood circulation. The result is a reduction in pain.

Discomfort due to the above reasons is not a consequence of the disease. It hurts over the knee not because of serious violations. If these situations have occurred, it is not worth worrying. Otherwise, consult a doctor.

Trauma and pain

Trauma is a clear cause of pain. No exception and. As a result of the injury, the joint is damaged (sprain, cartilage tear). Bruises and fractures provoke such pain. Violations do not occur hourly, develop gradually, “go outside” suddenly, due to the influence of factors:

• excessive loads on the legs (lingering movements, training);
• improper warm-up;
• running on a hard surface;
• wearing tight shoes.

The pain is characterized by both sharp and aching. It can “awaken” a past injury that begins to hurt. It happens that the cause is an injury received in childhood.

Pathological causes of knee pain

Common causes of pain above the knees:

• inflammatory processes (myositis);
• vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels);
• hip damage;
• damage to the femoral-patella joint;
• pathology of the spine (hernia of the intervertebral disc);
• muscle imbalance;
• rheumatic disease;
• neuralgia;
• sciatica (inflammation of the sciatic nerve);
• osteomyelitis (an injection disease that affects bones).

Myositis, how to deal with it

A common cause of pain above the knees is myositis. The disease is provoked by muscle inflammation. There is aching in nature, limiting muscle contraction. The response becomes protective stress, resulting in muscle weakness.

Vasculitis (hemorrhagic) - a complex lesion of the skin, articular, renal vessels, gastrointestinal vessels. Discomfort above the knees is a symptom of the disease. Such sensations indicate a skin-articular form of vasculitis, require complex treatment.

Osteomyelitis - Infectious Inflammation bone tissue, provoked by a number of reasons, including trauma, excessive physical exertion. The disease leads to destructive processes at the site of localization, a severe form is accompanied by purulent formations.

The period of development of the disease is two days. Osteomyelitis is accompanied by a number of symptoms that are not noticeable in the early days. This is an increase in temperature, joint pain, malaise, pressure, vomiting. But more dangerous is the risk of an asymptomatic course of the disease. Treatment is supposed to be medication or surgical, physical therapy.

Rheumatism is accompanied by inflammation of the joints, pain of an alternating nature. One joint becomes inflamed and sore, after another couple of hours or days. Lasts up to 12 days. The treatment is aimed at suppressing streptococcal infection with medications.

Neuralgia. Peripheral nerve diseases are characterized by pain in the direction of nerve fibers. It occurs in bouts between which the pain recedes.

What to do and who to contact

Discomfort in the knees is considered the result of diseases, there is no single solution how to get rid of it. When it hurts over the knee, determine the cause of the pain. Diseases require an individual approach, there is no panacea. Felt pain, regardless of location, with periodic or chronic manifestation - consult a doctor. The sooner the disease is determined, the more effective the treatment will be.

Painful symptoms in the legs are included in the scope of work of rheumatologists, traumatologists (with trauma, fracture), orthopedists. A visit to a neurologist and a neurologist is not ruled out. If it hurts over the knee, consult an osteopath. Diagnosis is done by hand. In such clinics, doctors will feel the abnormalities with their hands.

Which doctor to be treated depends on the disease itself. With X-rays, it is sometimes impossible to determine the causes pain. Some doctors suggest an operation to "meet the disease firsthand." Surgical intervention threatens with unpleasant consequences, it is better to refuse such a diagnosis.

There is no single answer about pain above the knees. The causes are overload, incorrect movements, diseases that require immediate examination and medical intervention. To get rid of such sensations, the core is determined - the immediate cause. The nature of the treatment required depends on the disease.

When pain syndrome  in the muscles of the legs, few people take it seriously. Well, really - it hurts above the knee, a big deal! Perhaps he pulled a muscle or unsuccessfully turned his leg. In fact, the inflammatory process in any muscle can have its own cause. Of course, if the pain is not constant and goes away after a short rest, there is probably really nothing to worry about. And it’s another matter if the pain in the leg above the knee appears with a certain regularity.

Why it hurts above the knee are possible reasons.

Muscle pain in medicine is called myalgia. In the legs are the muscles of several different groups. Therefore, it is very important to correctly determine the localization of pain. Most often, pain in the muscles of the legs occurs in an untrained person with heavy loads, for example, after a long run, exercise or a long transition. and this is completely normal, the cause of such pain is excessive accumulation of lactic acid in the stressed muscles. If sore above the knee or in the lower leg, or in the thigh after intense physical activity, then such pain is called in the medical language krepatura. This pain is aching in nature, somewhat aggravated by movements. If you have pain above the knee - remember, maybe yesterday you squatted too intensely?

There is another, directly opposite reason for the appearance of pain in the muscles of the legs. This is a long stay in one position without movement. For example, during long-distance flights by plane, riding in an intercity bus or in a seated train car. In the legs, the reverse blood flow, microcirculation are disturbed, and in the muscles there is an accumulation of endotoxins. Oxygen starvation of the cells begins, and the pain appears due to the activation of the corresponding receptors of the walls of the veins. It is aching or dull in nature, a feeling of heaviness appears in the legs. it seems like they are bursting from the inside. Such pains may appear in most different groups  muscles, including those above the knee. As a rule, they quickly pass after a short rest. But you can help your legs, for example, by marking them on a slight elevation. This will facilitate backflow of blood.

But muscle pain can occur for more serious reasons. For example, if the leg is sore above the knee, it may be caused inflammatory process  of various origin. Everyone probably knows how the muscles hurt with the flu. However, the same pain can occur with various lesions. connective tissue. Or be a reaction to injury - bruise, sprain.

If it hurts above the knee - pathology of the joint or spine

Joint diseases also commonly cause muscle pain. Such a peculiar disguise. A sensation of muscle pain occurs with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, gout, osteoarthrosis. To establish an accurate diagnosis, you need to see a doctor and undergo an examination.

Some diseases of the spine can also cause drawing pains  in the muscles of the legs, in particular, the back of the thigh. For example, if the back pains above the knee, it may be associated with osteochondrosis. lumbar. Usually, pain occurs suddenly with a sharp tilt or when trying to lift a load. The attack of such pain is lumbago, lasts about 20 minutes, and then the pain releases, although the aching pain remains for some time.

With intervertebral hernia and constant compression of the nerve endings in the leg muscles, chronic painaggravated by movement. The constant use of painkillers does not allow to achieve the desired effect.

Why it hurts above the knee - other reasons

There are several more common reasons why you can feel pain in your leg muscles, including above the knee. It:

In any case, if you feel regular pains in the muscles of the legs above the knee, it makes sense not to take painkillers, but to undergo an examination and find out their true cause. In most cases, after the necessary treatment, the pain disappears. In addition, without treatment, the disease can go to its next phase or lead to the development of some unpleasant complications.

Many people suffer from various lower limb problems. This causes a lot of trouble in everyday life, since it limits a person's ability to an active life. A similar situation occurs when pain bothers the knee. Why it occurs, what is accompanied, and what needs to be done to eliminate unpleasant sensations are the main questions that patients ask. And the answers to them can be obtained after consulting a doctor.

The reasons

Leg pains are common among people of working age. But each person has different reasons. The origin of unpleasant sensations depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the influence of external factors. And the pathophysiological basis can be inflammatory, metabolic, degenerative-dystrophic, traumatic and other processes. Similarly, not only disorders in the musculoskeletal system are manifested, but also another pathology.

If the pain in the leg is felt above the knee, then its source can be both local and general disorders, acquiring a mainly organic, but sometimes functional character. The lower limbs bother patients in such cases:

• Arthrosis and arthritis.
• Spinal diseases.
• Damage to the soft tissues (myositis, tendonitis).
• Rheumatic polymyalgia.
• Tunnel Syndromes.
• Metabolic neuropathies.
• Vascular pathology.

This is only the most common causes leg pain, and the full list of diseases is much more extensive. But even knowing about such a pathology, we can successfully assume the origin of most of the symptoms. However, to make a conclusion about a particular disease is the competence of the doctor.

The causes of pain over the knee are very diverse. They concern not only skeletal pathology, but also diseases of a neurological, rheumatic and vascular nature.

Symptoms

When the legs in the hips are sore, it is necessary to take into account all the features of the symptoms. This is done by the doctor during the clinical examination, allowing you to choose the right direction in the diagnosis. They pay attention to both objective signs and subjective complaints, because every little thing can be useful.

If we talk about pain, then we must immediately note that its nature is quite diverse. It is determined not only by the type of pathological process, but also by the sensitivity of the nervous system. To identify the characteristics of pain in a particular patient, during the survey, its main features are determined:

• Acute or chronic.
• Aching, pulling, shooting, burning, tearing, cutting.
• It is felt near the knee or closer to the inguinal-gluteal region, in front or behind the thigh.
• Intense, moderate or weak.
• Local or common, giving to other areas.
• It occurs during movements or appears at rest, regardless of external factors.

Despite the fact that the main symptom is precisely pain, it is necessary to take into account other signs that create an integrated picture of a disease.

Symptomatology is the basis of any clinical diagnosis. Having assessed all the manifestations of the disease, we can assume its causes.

Arthrosis and Arthritis

Legs can hurt due to problems with the knee and hip joints - arthrosis or arthritis. If the process is degenerate, then discomfort  arise at the very beginning of the load (starting), and as the pathology progresses, they become constant. As a rule, pains are felt inside the joint and can be projected onto different parts of the thigh: front, back or side. In addition, the following symptoms are characteristic:

• Fatigue and stiffness in the joint.
• Sensation of crunching and crepitus.
• Limitation of mobility.
• Articular deformity.

In acute arthritis, there are all the symptoms of local inflammation: pain, swelling, redness, increased local temperature, impaired function. BUT chronic process characterized, perhaps, only the first and last of these signs. Both arthrosis and arthritis can occur with damage to one joint or several joints.

Spinal diseases

The cause of leg pain is often problems with the spine. This situation is called lumbar ischialgia. It is characteristic of lesions of the lumbar spine with osteochondrosis, disc herniation, spondylarthrosis and other pathologies. Wherein pain  can begin immediately in the thigh, spreading from behind - along the sciatic nerve - down to the foot. In addition, in the clinical picture there are other signs of spinal damage:

• Numbness, tingling, burning, "crawling creeps."
• Weakening of sensitivity.
• Change in tendon reflexes on the leg.
• Weakness in the lower limbs.

These symptoms appear due to compression of the nerve roots and are felt in those parts of the body that are innervated by the affected fibers. And in the lumbar region, tensed muscles and painful paravertebral points are determined, physiological lordosis is often smoothed out. There is a significant limitation of the turns and tilts of the body, walking is also difficult.

Diseases of the spinal column lead to a decrease in the functional capabilities of a person, which often makes him disabled.

Soft tissue damage

If there is pain above the knee, including behind the thigh, then you need to consider the possibility of a connection with damage to the soft tissues. This is the least serious situation that a patient may experience due to inflammation or frequent microtraumatization of muscles, ligaments or tendons. Pain sensations are localized at the site of the affected structure and are associated with a load on it. Accordingly, those movements in which altered muscle-ligamentous components are involved will be disrupted. Sometimes you may notice external manifestations  in the form of redness and local swelling. Palpation of the affected area is also painful.

Rheumatic polymyalgia

Pain in the proximal lower limb is an important sign of rheumatic polymyalgia. This is a systemic disease associated with autoimmune inflammation in the synovial membrane and periarticular tissues: muscle tendons, fascia, bursa. The pain occurs acutely, has a tearing or cutting character, most often symmetrical. Against this background, other signs arise:

• Stiffness in the lower extremities.
• Restriction of movements.
• Inflammation in the joints.

Often there are common manifestations in the form of fever, weakness, weight loss, depression. Symptoms gradually increase, but there are no changes in the muscles themselves.

Rheumatic polymyalgia cannot be called a rare disease, but it makes understandable difficulties for diagnosis.

Tunnel syndromes

With the appearance of pain above the knee, some tunnel syndrome can be assumed. If the discomfort is localized behind the thigh, then, most likely, compression of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. In this case, there are symptoms of sciatica, concomitant motor and sensory disorders in the lower extremity.

Pain in front of the knee is associated with compression of the femoral nerve, and outside with Roth disease or compression of the external cutaneous nerve. In the first case, there is a restriction of the extension of the lower leg and hip flexion in combination with sensory impairment, and in the second case, only pain with hyperesthesia, tingling, and burning.

Metabolic neuropathies

If the legs above the knees hurt, including the back of the thigh, then you need to think about a condition such as metabolic neuropathy. It is mainly characteristic for patients suffering from diabetes, various intoxications (for example, with renal failure or alcoholism). This disease is characterized by bilateral lesions of the lower extremities, but the nerves of other localizations are often involved in the process. The clinical picture consists of a complex of motor, sensory and autonomic disorders:

• Severe pain in the legs.
• Numbness, "burning", tingling.
• Decreased tendon reflexes.
• Muscle weakness.
• Pallor, "marbling" of the skin, dryness, hair loss.

Such disorders are persistent and difficult to treat. Considered as a complication of the underlying disease.

Persistent and intense pain in the lower extremities can be a sign of metabolic neuropathy, which occurs in some chronic diseases.

Vascular pathology

Pain over the knee in the back also needs to be differentiated with vascular problems. It is known that impaired blood flow affects the condition of the soft tissues of the lower extremities. With arterial thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and endarteritis, ischemic changes occur that cause pain and other symptoms:

• Intermittent claudication.
• Pallor of the skin.
• Weakening or lack of pulsation below the knee.
• Decreased skin temperature.

It is important to notice the changes in a timely manner and consult a doctor, because the complications are extremely unfavorable: gangrene and the need for amputation. If we are talking about violations of the venous outflow that occurs with thrombophlebitis or varicose veins, then patients will present the following complaints:

• Feeling of heaviness and tiredness in the legs.
• Swelling of the legs and feet.
• Cyanotic (cyanotic) skin.

You may notice dilation of the saphenous veins or deep inflammation. The latter is detected by the occurrence of dense and painful cords in the thigh. Both diseases are characterized by an increased risk of thromboembolism.

It is possible to make an assumption of vascular problems after detecting circulatory failure in the lower extremities.

Diagnostics

Why does the leg hurt over knee joint, can be finally determined after a comprehensive examination. It should include the study of the musculoskeletal system, blood vessels, nerves and metabolic processes in the body. Therefore, the patient will have to undergo a set of diagnostic procedures, the composition of which is determined by the preliminary conclusion of the doctor. Basically, you should be prepared for such methods:

• Roentgenography.
• Doppler ultrasound.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.
• CT scan.
• Neuromyography.
• Blood biochemistry (rheumatic tests, markers of inflammation, renal indices, coagulogram, etc.).

In addition to examining a traumatologist, consultation with a neurologist, rheumatologist, endocrinologist, and vascular surgeon may be required. Only after receiving all the information about the disease, the doctor makes a final conclusion.

When your legs hurt, you do not need to wait for an independent cessation of pain. Firstly, this is unlikely, and secondly, procrastination is associated with exacerbation of symptoms and the progression of the pathological process. As soon as the warning signs appear, you need to see a doctor, and the specialist will already determine the list of necessary measures.