Pulling in the hollow of the knee after exercise
A pulling in the hollow of the knee after sport and especially after running can in the best case be a sign of lack of stretching before sport. It is not for nothing that stretching and loosening is part of every recommended warm-up program. Pulling, which is only caused by a lack of stretching, is not dangerous and usually disappears again after a few days.
One should make sure to stretch sufficiently before and after sports. Pulling in the hollow of the knee after sport also indicates an overload of the knee joint. This can occur, for example, when unusual sports and movements are performed.
In this case, the body and muscles have to adapt to the new load. Prior to this, sore muscles in the calf muscles or the muscles at the back of the thigh can also be the cause of pulling in the hollow of the knee. Sudden heavy strain on these muscles can lead to a strain that can cause pain in the muscles and also pulling in that area.
In this case a sports break is strongly recommended. Sports overloading can also provoke an irritated Baker cyst, which causes pain in the hollow of the knee. If this is not the case, more serious causes must be considered.
In particular, pulling while walking also indicates damage that can be triggered by even very slight stress. Depending on age, wear and tear processes in the knee joint itself, i.e. arthrosis, may also be a factor. Permanent, high stress on the knee joint can lead to abrasion of the cartilage surfaces and wear and tear of the joint surfaces.
This particularly affects competitive athletes, such as marathon runners or soccer players, but also overweight people who put a lot of weight on the joints. With age, however, amateur athletes can also be affected. Pain and pulling in the hollow of the knee when running can be harbingers of this.
These symptoms can occur prematurely, especially in sports that “get on the joints“, such as tennis, squash, jogging, and even playing soccer. Whether it is actually arthrosis can be easily determined by an X-ray, a CT or an MRT of the knee. In daily practice, CT plays a minor role.
An experienced doctor can easily determine the stage of arthrosis in an X-ray of the knee. The only way to accurately depict the damage to the cartilage is by MRI of the knee. In this case, more joint-gentle sports such as swimming, cycling or yoga should be preferred.
While a pulling in the hollow of the knee after sport, as already mentioned, can be the first sign of an impending deterioration, pain while walking is already considered an advanced stage. If the pain or pulling has been present for a long time and has latently “crept in”, a chronic process such as progressive arthrosis should be considered. Especially after sports, sports injuries that may not have been noticed at first in the heat of the moment must also be considered.
It is only when you arrive home that it starts to pull and hurt. In this case, however, by taking it easy and cooling it, you can usually be free of complaints within a few days. If a collision or twisting of the knee occurred during sports, one must also think of an injury to internal structures.
A simple bruise can cause the knee joint to swell, which not only causes a pull in the hollow of the knee but also an extension and flexion deficit and pain in the knee. More serious ligament or meniscus injuries usually involve a long break from sports, and often surgery is necessary. If the pulling in the hollow of the knee is clearly due to an acute cause, painkillers such as ibuprofen or – in the case of a sensitive stomach – better paracetamol can be taken as a supportive measure for a short period (a few days).
If the pulling persists for longer than three days and does not improve noticeably during this time, it is advisable to consult your family doctor or orthopedist.The same applies to complaints that have existed for a long time – months – and have now worsened. Imaging techniques are available to the doctor to assess the “inner life” of the knee, which is absolutely necessary in chronic diseases. Often a pulling in the hollow of the knee disappears relatively quickly on its own and can be considered harmless. However, if it lasts longer or develops insidiously, the causes should be investigated in order to rule out a more dangerous event.
