Do you suffer from pain and heaviness below the knee?
Symptoms vary from person to person, ranging from "feeling a general sense of fatigue and discomfort" to "my calves hurt so much" or "my whole lower leg feels heavy and tired," but if these symptoms persist, they can significantly reduce the quality of daily life
You may also be worried about whether your condition warrants treatment at a medical institution
In this article, we will explain in detail the diseases that cause pain and heaviness below the knee, and will explain in detail everything from simple remedies that can be done at home to appropriate treatment at a specialist institution
If you are unsure whether your symptoms require urgent attention, please check this out
table of contents
Causes of pain and heaviness below the knee
Symptoms can range from common causes to specific illnesses, which may include problems with circulation in the blood vessels of the legs
General muscle fatigue
The most common cause of pain, heaviness, and fatigue below the knee is simple muscle fatigue
It is likely to occur when standing for long periods of time, doing desk work in the same position, or after strenuous exercise, and in most cases it will improve with rest
Mechanism causing pain and heaviness below the knee
If you work standing up, it's easy to imagine your leg muscles getting tired, but many people may wonder why they get tired just by sitting down
When working at a desk, gravity causes blood to concentrate in the legs, impairing circulation, which reduces the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and other tissues in the legs
This insufficient supply inhibits energy production (ATP production) at the cellular level. ATP is necessary for all bodily activities, including muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and cell repair, so a lack of ATP is one of the main causes of fatigue
countermeasure
Try to avoid staying in the same position for long periods of time. If you work at a desk, set aside time to exercise your legs or walk
If you work while standing, it may be a good idea to massage your feet during breaks or, if possible, wear compression stockings to promote blood circulation in your legs
Varicose veins
Varicose veins are a condition in which the veins in the legs expand, causing blood to flow backward. This condition is thought to be one of the causes of pain and heaviness in the legs below the knees
In many cases, the veins are clearly visible, appearing as bumpy, swollen veins or as serpentine, blue-purple lines. The ankles and feet tend to swell, and the legs may feel heavy, painful, sluggish, and easily tired. The condition often worsens after standing or walking for long periods of time
It can also cause leg cramps at night, which can lead to severe pain and subsequent discomfort
Mechanism causing pain and heaviness below the knee
When the valves in your veins stop functioning properly, it becomes difficult for blood to return to the heart against gravity, causing blood to pool in your legs. As explained in the section on general muscle fatigue, blood stagnation in your legs can cause heaviness and fatigue in your legs
In addition, blood stagnation puts extra pressure on the walls of the veins in the legs, which can result in swelling and inflammation in the surrounding tissues, which can also cause pain
Countermeasures and treatments
For an accurate diagnosis, specialist institutions use a method called Doppler ultrasound, which examines the state of blood flow and the function of venous valves
We also take images using contrast agents to check the condition of the veins in detail
Vein strengthening medications may also be used to strengthen the walls of the veins, and anti-inflammatory medications may be used to reduce pain and swelling
If it is necessary to close the problematic veins, they are blocked using lasers, radio waves, sclerosing agents, etc. Varicose veins generally occur in small blood vessels close to the surface of the body (superficial veins). Even if they are completely blocked, the body will find other veins to circulate blood, so this method is said to be very safe
arteriosclerosis obliterans
This is a condition in which blood flow is restricted due to arterial stenosis (narrowing) or blockage, which can also cause pain and fatigue below the knee
If the degree of vascular blockage becomes severe, blood flow may be completely restricted, causing necrosis of the foot, so it is very important to monitor the condition
Mechanism causing pain and heaviness below the knee
If you have arteriosclerosis obliterans, you may experience a condition called "intermittent claudication," where you can walk short distances with ease, but as the distance increases, you experience pain in your legs, severe fatigue, and are unable to walk. This is because the blood flow necessary for exercise is blocked, making you prone to oxygen deficiency. However, after a few minutes of rest, you will be able to walk again, so even if you cannot walk long distances at once, you can still cover the distance as long as you take breaks. The location of the pain will vary depending on the location of the blockage
Also, keep in mind that restricted blood flow can cause numbness and other symptoms
Naturally, if blood flow becomes severely restricted, wounds become more difficult to heal and ulcers, which are wounds that reach quite deep into the body rather than just superficial wounds, can develop
This may cause further pain, and there may be cases where factors such as pain caused by poor blood flow and pain from an ulcer overlap
Countermeasures and treatments
Antiplatelet drugs are used to prevent blood clots from forming
If surgery is necessary, a balloon catheter may be used to widen the narrowed part of the artery, or a stent (a metal mesh tube) may be placed inside the blood vessel to keep it open
However, in severe cases where there is a long-term blockage or multiple blockages, bypass surgery may be an option. This is a method of creating a new blood flow route that bypasses the blocked area using an artificial blood vessel or the patient's own veins
deep vein thrombosis
This is a disease in which blood clots form in deep veins
The main symptoms are swelling, pain, discoloration of the skin, and a feeling of heat in the leg with the blood clot, but there may be no symptoms
Mechanism causing pain and heaviness below the knee
In deep vein thrombosis, blood flow is also obstructed by blood clots, which can prevent sufficient oxygen and nutrients from reaching tissues and cause inflammation in the vein walls, leading to pain, heaviness, and fatigue in the legs, just like the diseases described above
Countermeasures and treatments
Anticoagulant therapy is given by injection under the skin or taken by mouth to make blood less likely to clot
In severe cases, a clot-dissolving drug is injected directly into the clot through the catheter, quickly dissolving the clot
In addition, for any of the above diseases, smoking, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, diabetes, etc. are considered risk factors, so if any of these apply to you, you may need to receive guidance on improving your lifestyle
Other factors
Other environmental factors can also cause heaviness below the knees
Wearing inappropriate shoes
Wearing shoes that are the wrong size or shape, or shoes that force you into an unnatural position, such as high heels, puts excessive strain on certain parts of your feet. It is also best to avoid shoes that are extremely narrow in the toe box or that do not fit the arch of your foot
Dehydration
Drinking enough water is important to maintain the proper viscosity of your blood and promote circulation. Lack of water increases the viscosity of your blood, which means it tends to become thicker
This can worsen circulation and make you more likely to feel fatigue and heaviness in your legs. It is important to remember that frequent hydration is also an important lifestyle habit
Nutritional imbalance/deficiency
Deficiencies in certain nutrients can also contribute to lower leg discomfort
For example, potassium and magnesium are essential nutrients for efficient energy production
If you experience frequent leg cramps or feel your legs get tired easily, it's possible that a lack of potassium or magnesium is causing these symptoms. It's important to get a balanced intake of these nutrients
summary
If any of the above applies to you, consider visiting a vascular surgeon, hematologist, or cardiologist. The area below the knee is prone to poor blood circulation, so it requires comprehensive care. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and good foot care habits can help maintain foot health. It's also important to balance self-management with professional care, depending on the severity of your symptoms