07 Mar Lower back and knee pain – How one impact the other
When your knee hurts, you indeed start to question what could have caused it. Have you made a mistake or twisted your knee in an odd way? Although one of these circumstances is possible, there might be another reason. Back problems can be the cause of your knee pain.
Even though knee arthritis and back pain are major issues, there is a fix. Patients have had great relief from back pain with intense physical treatment that aims to reestablish normal gait patterns, spinal mobility, and conditioning. Certain exercises to avoid and certain to adapt can treat your knee and back pain at home.
CAN LOWER BACK PAIN CAUSE KNEE PAIN?
The back and knees work together to provide support, motion, and flexibility. Consequently, your knees may hurt if your back does.
Your gait may change as a result of lower back pain, or you may compensate with your knees. An injury or just aging may cause the discs in this region to push on these nerves if there is any swelling in your spine or anything (such as a herniated disc) pressing on the nerve. The lower back may experience pain from this compression and down the nerve pathways in the legs, knees, ankles, and even feet.
There are four indicators you can look for to see if a spinal problem is the cause of your knee pain:
1. DO BAD KNEES AFFECT YOUR BACK?
Yes. You might adjust your posture to avoid knee pain. Since our back muscles change a little often, this might result in tension and spasms or just wear them out. Your back may begin to hurt more as a result. To avoid this, it’s crucial for everyone to strengthen their back and core.
A few instances of knee deformities that can have an impact on the spine include:
2. CAN SCIATICA CAUSE KNEE PAIN?
A branch of the sciatic nerve known as the peroneal nerve allows sciatic nerve pain and other associated symptoms to travel all the way to the end of your leg and stop in your knee. The vertebral discs that protect your spine may deteriorate or swell as you age (or suffer an injury), pressing on and aggravating the nerves. This may result in symptoms in your knee like:
3. CAN L5 S1 CAUSE KNEE PAIN?
Between the vertebral bodies of L5 and S1, a disc consisting of a gel-like substance (nucleus pulposus) and encircled by a thick fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) exists. As the spine moves, this disc acts as a cushion and shock absorber to safeguard the vertebrae.
Radiculopathy symptoms or sciatica may be brought on by compression or inflammation of the L5 and/or S1 spinal nerve root and are indicated by:
4. Preventative Care for Knee and Back Pain
You can try a few at-home preventative care steps that might ease your symptoms if you think your knee discomfort may have a back origin:
5. LOWER BACK AND KNEE PAIN AT NIGHT
One of the few important warning indicators that your back pain can be inflammatory and brought on by a condition like ankylosing spondylitis is back pain that wakes you up in the second half of the night. Your muscles and tendons may be sore and inflamed at night because they heal while you sleep, especially if you have an injury. However, it is a rare sign of physical pain and can point to a more serious injury or issue at hand. Therefore, it is crucial that you seek expert guidance if this is happening to you.
6. EXERCISE FOR BACK AND KNEE PAIN:
The muscles that support your spine and other arthritic joints can be strengthened through low-impact exercise, which can lessen discomfort and increase mobility. Before beginning any back pain exercise, always consult a medical expert. Some exercises might not be advised and even be detrimental depending on the origin and severity of your pain.
| AVOID | TRY |
|---|---|
| Toe touches | Partial Crunches |
| Sit-ups | Hamstring stretches |
| Leg Lifts | Wall Sits |
| Lifting heavy objects | Press-up back extensions |
| Kickboxing | Bird Dog |
| Jumping | Knee to chest |
| Running | Pelvic tilts |
| Lifting weights upwards or on your shoulders is not advised. | Bridging |
| Walking backward | Aerobic exercise |
7. TREATMENT FOR BACK AND KNEE PAIN:
Your doctor can identify the underlying cause of your back or knee discomfort and work with you to choose the best course of therapy. The following are some potential outcomes:
Conclusion
If your back pain interferes with your regular activities or spreads to your legs below the knee, consult a medical practitioner. It’s particularly crucial to seek medical attention if you have a traumatic back injury (from a fall or automobile accident), as imaging tests or x-rays may be required to assess the extent of the damage.
Frequently asked questions ( LOWER BACK AND KNEE PAIN )
Can the body’s alignment change unnaturally as a result of a knee injury?
A past knee injury may alter your body’s normal alignment of the neck, back, and spine. This is not ideal and might get worse over time if it is not fixed. Allow us to assist you in achieving your therapeutic objectives and getting you back to full health.
How can sciatica be immediately relieved?
Alternating between applications of heat and ice might offer quick relief from sciatic nerve discomfort. Heat and ice both promote blood flow to the hurting location while reducing inflammation (which speeds healing). Sciatica frequently comes with severe muscle spasms, which heat, and ice may also help to relieve.
When should I see a doctor if I have lower back pain?
1- if the pain continues for four weeks or more.
2- if the discomfort persists and worsens over time.
3- if you have other symptoms like fever, significant weight loss or gain, weakness or loss of function in your limbs, urinary issues, etc.