Pulling on the outside of the knee | Pulling in the hollow of the knee – Is that dangerous?

Pulling on the outside of the knee

One of the most dangerous complications, which can be caused by pain and pulling in the hollow of the knee, is leg vein thrombosis. It occurs particularly after long periods of sitting during flights or bus rides. When you get up, you often feel a stabbing sensation in your legs and a tingling and pulling sensation in your calves, which extend into the hollow of your knee. The legs are heavy and swollen.

Pulling in the hollow of the knee after cruciate ligament surgery

A cruciate ligament surgery is a major intervention in the knee joint. Afterwards, the knee is irritated and the cruciate ligament injury also causes swelling of the knee. This results in movement restrictions in both flexion and extension.

Especially in the extension, this swelling is usually accompanied by a pulling in the hollow of the knee. The symptoms usually disappear when the joint is swollen. However, this can take several weeks. The swelling and pulling in the hollow of the knee can reoccur during the first real sporting activities.

Diagnosis

Diagnostics for pulling in the hollow of the knee initially consists of a specific anamnesis (patient survey by the doctor). The aim is to find the cause and nature of the complaints in consultation with the person concerned. It is always important to know how long the complaints have existed, whether they have occurred before, how severe the symptoms are and whether there are triggers for them.

Typical triggers would be: The affected knee joint is then examined. Some abnormalities, such as swelling and external injuries, can be visible to the naked eye. The pressure pain in the hollow of the knee and other structures in the knee is also examined.

Then the range of motion in flexion and extension is tested. In addition, there are specific functional tests that can provide indications of meniscus damage, ligament injuries or nerve lesions. To be able to make a final diagnosis, imaging is usually also required.

For this purpose, the X-ray image is used to assess bone damage. For example, arthrosis in the knee may be noticed. In most cases, however, the soft tissue structures in the knee joint are the cause of pulling in the hollow of the knee.

These can be assessed particularly well in an MRI image. There, ligament and meniscus injuries as well as a Baker cyst can be conspicuous. You want to know what to expect in an MRI?

  • Accidents,
  • Collisions,
  • Injuries or also
  • Unusual strain on the knee.

Read next article in this series:

All articles in this series:

  1. Pulling in the hollow of the knee – Is that dangerous?
  2. Associated symptoms
  3. Pulling in the hollow of the knee after exercise
  4. Pulling in the hollow of the knee up to the calf – Is this a thrombosis?
  5. Pulling on the outside of the knee
  6. Therapy