What Causes Severe Pain Behind The Knees?

Posted on Wed, 11 May 2016

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

Wed, 11 May 2016 Answered on

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am having severe pain behind my right knee, feels like it is going to implode. Favoring it due to extreme pain.....I have varicose veins, was wondering if this could be a blood clot or flibitis?

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please go in to ER

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

It is possible that this could be a superficial phlebitis or a deep vein thrombosis. It can also be a strain of the muscles or ligaments of the knee. Without being able to examine it, and with severe pain, I think you should go in to be seen in the ER.

Phlebitis is when there is a clot or inflammation in a superficial vein. There is usually tenderness at the site, and swelling. Treatment is NSAIDS, leg elevation, and heat.

A DVT is a clot in a deep vein and there is sometimes swelling below the level of the DVT. While phlebitis is not risky, a DVT can cause a pulmonary embolus so it is treated usually with medication to dissolve the clot. A DVT is diagnosed by doing an ultrasound or a D-Dimer test.

So, I advise you to go in to see what is going on.

I hope this information helps.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar