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What Causes Burning Pain Behind Knees?
Question: When I sit either with feet hanging or up in recliner, I have a burning pain behind my knees. They are so sensitive that if there is a fold or bunch in my pantleg that touches the back of the knee or if there is a bunch in my leather couch. I have the same pain in my heels. I relieve the pain by using a frozen water bottle. Help! What is this?
Brief Answer:
probably neuropathic 'pain'
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
if there is no skin problem (redness, any kind of lesion) then this is probably caused by damage to the nerves (neuropathy). You haven't mentioned any medical history so I gather you're otherwise healthy. Damage to the nerves can be confirmed or excluded with certain clinical and lab tests.
The neurologist will examine the basic senses like soft touch, pain, vibration, temperature and determine whether they are intact or not. A nerve conduction velocity test will confirm the clinical findings (or exclude them).
Regarding the causes of this condition, I can only say that they are too many to mention. I'll mention some of them because they're easier to diagnose and/or treat.
- vitamin B12 deficiency which causes anemia and neuropathy.
- diabetes mellitus
- chronic kidney disease (uremia)
- various infections (they are accompanied by a multitude of other symptoms though)
- various toxins (like alcohol)
- autoimmune disorders (vasculitides, lupus, etc)
- cancer (paraneoplastic syndromes).
etc
Your neurologist is the right person to confirm (first) and investigate (later) the causes of neuropathy.
Neuropathy can sometimes (like in your case) be symmetric which means that you have identical symptoms in both extremities.
Another (less likely) cause of neural discomfort is nerve compression in the spine. A herniated disc may apply pressure to the nerves and cause similar symptoms (but most commonly acute and usually intense pain). A tumor, a hematoma etc may apply pressure as well.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
probably neuropathic 'pain'
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
if there is no skin problem (redness, any kind of lesion) then this is probably caused by damage to the nerves (neuropathy). You haven't mentioned any medical history so I gather you're otherwise healthy. Damage to the nerves can be confirmed or excluded with certain clinical and lab tests.
The neurologist will examine the basic senses like soft touch, pain, vibration, temperature and determine whether they are intact or not. A nerve conduction velocity test will confirm the clinical findings (or exclude them).
Regarding the causes of this condition, I can only say that they are too many to mention. I'll mention some of them because they're easier to diagnose and/or treat.
- vitamin B12 deficiency which causes anemia and neuropathy.
- diabetes mellitus
- chronic kidney disease (uremia)
- various infections (they are accompanied by a multitude of other symptoms though)
- various toxins (like alcohol)
- autoimmune disorders (vasculitides, lupus, etc)
- cancer (paraneoplastic syndromes).
etc
Your neurologist is the right person to confirm (first) and investigate (later) the causes of neuropathy.
Neuropathy can sometimes (like in your case) be symmetric which means that you have identical symptoms in both extremities.
Another (less likely) cause of neural discomfort is nerve compression in the spine. A herniated disc may apply pressure to the nerves and cause similar symptoms (but most commonly acute and usually intense pain). A tumor, a hematoma etc may apply pressure as well.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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