Osteoarthritis of the knee is painful enough on its own. However, When you add depression, it makes the pain behind the knee even worse. Symptoms of depression can lead to severe pain, and make it more difficult for them to carry out their daily activities.

What Are the Symptoms of Pain Behind Knee?

Studies show that depression is more common in people with knee pain than in the general population. Researchers believe that the relationship between depression and knee pain is a two-way street. While depression may worsen knee pain symptoms, knee pain may cause or worsen depression, too.

Major Signs:

If you have pain behind knee, be sure you know how to recognize the warning signs for depression. Possible symptoms include:

Feelings of worthlessness.
Irritability or restlessness.
Lack of energy and tiredness.
Loss of appetite or overeating.
Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed.
Sleeping too little or too much.
Trouble concentrating or making decisions.

Symptoms Associated with depression:

1) Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms associated with anxiety, panic disorder, chronic stress, depression, and other mental health disorders. Chronic anxiety leaves the body and mind in a constant state of tension and high alertness. The mind is constantly scanning the external and internal environment for threats, leading to emotional distress and physical tension. This constant state of high alertness leads to mental and physical exhaustion, which will often persist even after a long sleep.

2) Increased Heart Rate

Anxiety is a natural response to danger and is needed for humans to survive. High levels of anxiety trigger changes in the body to help prepare for dealing with threats and danger, also known as the fight or flight response. However, if you’re living with chronic anxiety, your body and mind are often unable to tell the difference between real and imagined dangers, which means that the fight or flight response may be continually active. One of the first changes to occur during the fight or flight response is an increase in heart rate.

3) Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath is another distressing symptom that leads many people to worry that they are having a heart attack, choking, or experiencing problems with their lungs. Shortness of breath is usually caused by breathing too quickly, as the body is inhaling too much oxygen and exhaling too much carbon dioxide. Hyperventilation will not harm you, but you may feel as if you are choking, have a lump in your throat, or are unable to take in enough air.

What Are The Common Causes Of Pain Behind Knee?

Knee pain can be caused by
Injuries.
mechanical problems.

Injuries:

So, they can affect any of the ligaments and tendons. But some of the more common knee injuries include:

ACL injury:

ACL stands for (anterior cruciate ligament). One of the most common ways people hurt their knees is by injuring their ACL. Because this is one of the bands of tissue that holds the bones together within your knee. It also helps to keep your knee stable.
So, it is particularly common in people who play
basketball,
soccer
and other sports that require sudden changes in direction.

Fractures:

The knee is the meeting place for four leg bones:

the kneecap (patella),
the thigh bone (femur)
the shinbone (tibia)
the calf bone (fibula).
Damage to any of these bones can result in a fracture. The bones of the knee, including the kneecap, can be broken during falls and auto accidents. Also, people whose bones have been weakened by osteoporosis can sometimes sustain a knee fracture simply by stepping wrong.

Torn meniscus:

The meniscus is the tough, rubbery cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your shinbone and thighbone. Like a lot of knee injuries, a meniscus tear can be painful and debilitating.
Unfortunately, it’s quite common. They can happen when a person changes direction suddenly while running, and often occur at the same time as other knee injuries, like an ACL injury. More than 40% of people 65 or older have them.

 Mechanical problems

Some examples of mechanical problems that can cause knee pain include:

Loose body:

Sometimes, a piece of bone or cartilage from a structure in the knee can break loose or detach from its natural position. This is commonly called a “loose body.” Because it is important to remove loose bodies early to avoid cartilage damage. If a loose body floats around the knee joint, it is referred to as unstable. They can be different sizes and can inhibit the natural movement of the knee, resulting in the locking of the knee joint.
It can be the result of a traumatic injury to the knee or wear and tear. So, Loose bodies in the knee are common in these sports:

Basketball
Football
Rugby
Soccer
Volleyball
Iliotibial band syndrome:

The iliotibial band is located on the lateral side of the leg. It is a fascial band that starts at the pelvis, runs down the outside of the thigh, and crosses the knee.
However, They can also cause pain on the outside of the knee and is particularly common in runners. It is caused by overuse of the connective tissues on the outer thigh and knee, running along the lateral outside aspect of the thigh.

How Can We Treat Pain Behind Knee?

When you have depression and knee pain, it’s important to take care of both.
Treatments for knee pain may include medications, exercise, weight loss, braces, heat or cold, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and other approaches. Surgery may also be an option. With the right combination of treatments, you can greatly reduce the pain and stress of knee pain, and that can give your mood a lift.
Of course, depression needs attention, too. The sooner treatment for depression is started, the more effective it’s likely to be. The good news is that some of the leading depression treatments also help control pain by reversing abnormal pain-signaling:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a proven treatment for depression. This form of psychotherapy teaches people strategies to manage and overcome unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. It can also teach skills for coping with chronic pain.
Many antidepressant drugs have both mood-boosting and pain-relieving effects.
Physical exercise is another effective mood booster. If you have knee OA, weight reduction can relieve joint discomfort. Exercise can also enhance your ability to manage pain and carry out your daily activities.
Stress-reduction techniques, physical activity, exercise, meditation, journaling, learning coping skills, and other strategies also may help.
Treatment for co-occurring pain and depression may be most effective when it involves a combination of treatments.

Knee supports for Pain Behind Knee:

If you’re trying to resolve a knee problem, you’ve probably considered wearing a compression sleeve or support on your knee. A brace generally applies pressure around different structures of the knee to try and help alleviate pain or provide support for the stability of the knee. However, you should consult a doctor before trying out any brace to ensure you’ve found the right knee support for you.

How To Prevent Pain Behind Knee?

Other tips you can incorporate into your daily life include:
Lose weight. Carrying less weight can help reduce the amount of pressure that’s placed on your knees daily.
Exercise regularly to keep your muscles and bones strong. Increase activity gradually to avoid injury.
Make sure you properly warm up and cool down from all athletic activities.
Wear any recommended orthotics to keep the alignment of your leg in check.
Incorporate strength training into your routine to target your leg muscles.