It is not normal for your knees to start hurting out of the blue unless you’ve had a previous injury. However, you will realize that it may not be about the knee itself, as it may be an issue with the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back to the feet. So, how does sciatica cause knee pain? Read on for more information.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica collectively refers to the irritation of sciatic nerves or the pain in the glutes and back due to various conditions of the spine. The nervous system is on both sides of the body, from the back to the glutes, branches behind the thighs and knees, and ends in the feet.
How Does Sciatica Pain Cause Knee Pain?
Unfortunately, sciatic issues don’t only affect the back. Sciatica pain may travel down from the back and into the legs, specifically stopping at the knees through the sciatic nerve called the peroneal nerve. Therefore, there is a chance that your knee pain is from sciatica.
How Does Sciatic Pain Feel in the Knees?
Sciatic pain can manifest in the knees in the following ways:
- A sharp shooting or burning pain around the knees
- A dull ache
- Weakness in the knees, feeling like the knees are giving out
- Inability to straighten the knees
- Issues with bearing weight on the knees
If you suffer from sciatic knee pain, you may also feel it in the glutes, hips, thighs, calves, and feet. Also, note that the symptoms usually affect one leg or knee at a time.
Read More – Is There a Link Between Sciatica and Hip Pain?
Managing Sciatica that Affects the Knees
Sciatica in the knees can develop with age the more your body changes. You can manage the symptoms before seeking treatment by making a few lifestyle changes. For instance, when you move more during the day, your core strengthens while you support your spine and the sciatic nerves by extension.
Incorporating daily exercises in your day will help with this, whether you take Pilates, enroll in a gym, or take daily walks. At-home stretches also help ease the pressure off the sciatic nerves.
Seek Professional Advice
If you are dealing with acute knee pain from sciatica, you will need to seek sciatic pain treatment in Indiana. Luckily, there are non-invasive Indiana pain management treatments that help, like physical therapy and over-the-counter medications.
When you come in for a consultation at APAC Centers for Pain Management, our professionals will help diagnose and treat your pain. Whether it is issues with the sciatic nerves or other complications leading to the pain, trust the experts to help you get back on track.
