Introduction
A pulling in the hollow of the knee can sometimes be very unpleasant, especially if it lasts for a long time. The popliteal fossa is a complex anatomical region because it contains a multitude of tendons, vessels, nerves and muscles. Depending on the situation in which pulling occurs in the popliteal fossa, the causes and corresponding therapies may differ. In principle, however, regardless of age and trigger, all of the diseases discussed below can be responsible for the pulling.
Causes
There are various causes for pulling and pain in the hollow of the knee. The localization and duration of the pain play just as much a role as the athletic background and the behavior before the pain occurred. Various acute and chronic clinical pictures that come into question are Specific for the popliteal fossa is the so-called Baker cyst.
This is a protrusion from the joint capsule. It is caused by an increased accumulation of fluid in the joint, for example due to overloading. Pulling in the hollow of the knee can also occur in all types of injuries to the knee joint: Bruises and sprains caused by falls are a common cause.
However, serious injuries to the menisci, collateral and/or cruciate ligaments can also be the cause. The injury causes the knee joint to swell, which causes a pulling sensation, especially when stretching in the hollow of the knee. Another cause could be shortened and insufficiently strong muscles in the hollow of the knee.
The popliteal muscle itself, the so-called musculus popliteus, is rather insignificant. Often, it is the scythe and attachment points of the ischiocrural (back of the thigh) or calf muscles that are irritated. A pinching or irritation of nerves can also cause a pulling in the hollow of the knee.
In the case of sciatica (pain of the sciatic nerve), there is usually additional shooting pain. A general overloading of the knee joint can also cause a pulling in the hollow of the knee. The same applies to arthritis or arthrosis of the knee, both of which are chronic joint diseases.
In children, the cause of pulling in the hollow of the knee can also be growth. You can find more information on this topic at Growth pain in the knee.
- Lack of stretching of the musculature,
- Tendon irritation of the tendons of the calf muscles,
- Bruises and strains of the knee joint,
- Knee joint arthrosis,
- Tear of the collateral or collateral ligament,
- Torn meniscus,
- Baker’s cyst,
- Swollen legs (leg edema) or
- A deep vein thrombosis of the leg.
A Baker’s cyst is a common phenomenon of the popliteal fossa and is usually the result of another disease of the knee joint.
A Baker’s cyst is a fluid-filled space, a cyst named after the English surgeon William Baker. When the knee joint is damaged or inflamed, the body reacts by increasing the production of synovial fluid. This causes the pressure inside the knee joint to increase and eventually becomes too high, causing the joint capsule to bulge out at a weak point.
In the knee, this weak point is in the back wall of the knee joint capsule. As a result, a cyst develops in the area of the hollow of the knee. Small Baker’s cysts are often asymptomatic and merely a random finding.
The larger the Baker’s cyst becomes, the more likely it is to cause discomfort due to the space requirement. A Baker’s cyst can present itself as a palpable, visible swelling in the popliteal fossa. Typically, one can feel the movement of fluid within the cyst, this is called fluctuation.
The Baker’s cyst can exert pressure on the surrounding tissue and cause pain and traction in the popliteal fossa and upper calf. In severe cases, circulatory disorders and nerve entrapment can occur. Possible symptoms are
- Numbness,
- Tingling and
- Paralysis of lower leg and foot.
Multiple sclerosis, or MS for short, can progress in different ways and begin with different symptoms.
Frequent first symptoms are visual disturbances, severe fatigue, insecure gait and unpleasant sensory disturbances in the legs. Although MS patients may also suffer from traction in the hollow of the knee at the beginning of the disease or during a relapse, among other symptoms, isolated traction in the hollow of the knee does not support the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.A calf strain occurs when the calf muscles are abruptly stretched beyond their natural extent. Along with the thigh muscles, the calf is one of the muscles most frequently affected by such a sports injury.
A calf strain is typically accompanied by muscle hardening and cramp-like complaints. A feeling of tension and pulling in the muscle are typical accompanying complaints. This can extend into the hollow of the knee.
You can find detailed information under Calf Strain. A simultaneous occurrence of a pulling and pain in the hollow of the knee can indicate various injuries and diseases. Possible causes are Isolated nerve irritation of the tibial nerve, tibial nerve, or growth pain in the child can cause the symptoms.
Very rarely, epiphyseolysis can be the cause of the symptoms. This is a detachment of the growth plate at the bone. If there is a pulling and pain in the hollow of the knee, one should go to the doctor and have the affected knee examined.
- Damage to the ligaments and menisci in the knee,
- Overloading during sports,
- A Baker cyst
- And more rarely a thrombosis of the leg veins.
A pulling in the hollow of the knee as well as a swelling in this area can indicate
- Baker’s cyst,
- Arthritis
- Or leg vein thrombosis. An injury to the structures in the joint, for example due to intensive stress during sports, can cause signs of inflammation and a feeling of tension. If the tissue is not only swollen, but also reddened, warmed and painful under pressure, this indicates an inflammation in the affected knee.
A twisted knee causes a distortion or twisting of the knee joint.
This means that the normal range of motion of the knee joint is exceeded in the accident and the knee joint is briefly levered out of position. A twisted knee causes severe pain. Typically, there is also significant swelling, bruising and limited movement of the knee joint. In addition to pain, the affected person may experience an unpleasant feeling of tension and pulling in the hollow of the knee.
