Many individuals assume that knee pain is always associated with knee joint health issues. However, according to healthcare professionals, knee pain can also occur due to spine health issues. While pain and discomfort can be the result of a knee problem, it can also be the result of a herniated disc or a pinched nerve root, commonly the sciatic nerve, in the lower back.
If healthcare professionals suspect that the patient's knee pain is due to another underlying health issue, they will perform a diagnosis utilizing a variety of evaluations to determine the source of the patient's knee pain. The purpose of the article below is to describe how low back pain and sciatica can also cause knee pain as well as other painful symptoms.
Sciatica, Low Back Pain and Knee Pain
The sciatic nerve, the largest and longest nerve in the human body, extends from the lower back, or lumbar spine, and travels down the buttocks, hips, and thighs into the legs, knees, and feet. With age or due to an injury or underlying condition, however, the intervertebral discs may sometimes bulge out and push against or through the intervertebral disc material, pinching or irritating the sciatic nerve, causing low back pain or sciatica. Sciatica is also referred to as sciatic nerve pain.
When the sciatic nerve becomes compressed or impinged and irritated, it can send pain signals out throughout the entire length of the sciatic nerve. If a spinal health issue, such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or arthritis is pinching the sciatic nerve, the painful symptoms may radiate into the knee and even into the feet. If the sciatic nerve is being compressed or impinged and irritated due to an injury or underlying condition, it may cause a variety of painful symptoms, including:
- Pain and discomfort in the thigh
- Knee pain
- Tingling sensations and/or numbness in the leg
- Weakness in the hip
In the circumstance that you are experiencing any of the painful symptoms described above, make sure to seek immediate medical attention from a qualified and experienced healthcare professional to receive an accurate diagnosis before following-up with proper treatment. Your knee pain may also be due to a hip joint health issue, therefore, a careful physical evaluation is ultimately fundamental to determine the true source of your knee pain, low back pain, and sciatica.
Low Back Pain, Sciatica, and Knee Pain Treatment
Treating knee pain due to the compression or impingement and irritation of the sciatic nerve can ultimately be achieved through surgical interventions, however, it is generally not recommended until the patient has tried all conservative treatment options. Conservative treatment approaches are often initially preferred. Sometimes, steroid injections can be utilized to help decrease inflammation around the nerve root but these should not be the initial treatment for knee pain.
Physical therapy and chiropractic care can help naturally restore the original integrity of the spine to treat low back pain, sciatica, and knee pain. Healthcare professionals may also recommend a variety of stretches and exercises to strengthen the surrounding structures and speed up the recovery process. Engaging or participating in a progression of stretches and exercises can help safely and effectively eliminate knee pain and improve your overall health and wellness.
If your knee pain worsens with physical activities, the healthcare professional can also show you postural correction techniques and strategies to help decrease stress on your spine and help decrease knee pain as well as avoid future health issues. If physical activity doesn't have any effect on your knee pain, the healthcare professional may perform a variety of tests and exams to make sure if your knee pain is due to a knee joint or hip joint health issue, among other health issues.
Knee pain is a well-known health issue, however, did you know that knee pain can also be caused due to low back pain and sciatica? Sciatica is a collection of painful symptoms, rather than an injury or underlying condition, characterized by pain, tingling sensations, and numbness along the entire length of the sciatic nerve. Because the sciatic nerve extends from the lower back, down the buttocks, hips, and thighs, into the legs, knees, and feet, any health issue which irritates the sciatic nerve can potentially cause knee pain. The compression or impingement of the sciatic nerve due to a variety of health issues, can ultimately cause low back pain, sciatica, and knee pain. - Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
The purpose of the article was to describe how knee pain can be associated with low back pain and sciatica. Sciatica is a collection of symptoms characterized by pain, tingling sensation, and numbness. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topic Discussion: Foot Orthotics
Low back pain and sciatica are common health issues which affect many individuals worldwide. However, did you know that chronic pain may be due to foot problems? Health issues originating in the foot may ultimately cause imbalances in the spine, such as poor posture, which can cause the well-known symptoms of low back pain and sciatica. Custom foot orthotics, individually designed with 3-arch support can help promote overall health and wellness by supporting and promoting good posture and correcting foot problems. Custom foot orthotics can ultimately help improve low back pain and sciatica.
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