Suggest Treatment For Severe Pain Behind The Knee

Posted on Sun, 3 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 3 Jul 2016 Answered on

Sat, 30 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi. I woke up on Friday morning with a bad pain behind my right knee. It seemed a bit better during the day but also got cramping and aching sensation in my calf muscle and back of upper thigh as well. After resting in the late afternoon the pain behind the knee got worse again and has been awful all day today. Still having the cramping and aching in the leg as well. it hurts while resting and walking. I cannot think of anything I did to injure myself. I tried heat and ice, no help. Its the 4th of July weekend so my doctor isnt available until Tuesday. Any ideas what is wrong?

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Considerations

Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for sending the question.

from the symptoms you have submitted I am concerned that you may be experiencing a deep vein thrombosis. this is a blood clot that can start in the lower part of the leg and sometimes track higher in the leg into the thigh. The biggest concern regarding this is that a blood clot could move from your leg to your lungs creating a situation that could be life-threatening.

The pain and cramping sensation occurring both at rest and with walking also is concerning. I would recommend that you have this evaluated as soon as possible in your local emergency room. This facility would be best equipped compared to urgent care because you will likely need an ultrasound to evaluate for possible blood clot in the veins of your leg.

please do not wait to have this evaluated. Please proceed to your local emergency room as soon as possible.

Thank you again for sending your question.

Sincerely,

Dr. Galamaga

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar