WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT KNEE NUMBNESS Numbness is a symptom that can cause a loss of sensation and tingling in the knee joint. Sometimes, this numbness and tingling can extend down or up the leg. There are multiple potential causes of numbness in the knee, from an acute injury to a chronic condition. Read on to learn more about the causes, additional symptoms, treatments, and more. Causes Many nerves are present in your body that are responsible for initiating movements and sensing touch, temperature, and more. Damage and compression to these nerves can cause numbness. Outside nerve compression Sometimes, outside forces pressing on the leg and knee can lead to numbness. This is true when a person wears tight clothing, knee braces, or compression hose that extend up the thigh. If the clothing is too tight and cuts off a person’s circulation or presses on a cutaneous nerve, numbness can result. A person can also experience temporary knee numbness due to the position of their leg. Compression in stirrups, such as for a pelvic exam or surgery, can press on nerves. Even crossing your legs for too long can cause knee numbness. Injuries Acute injuries to the kneecap, leg, and behind the knee can all cause knee numbness. For example, an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury can cause swelling and inflammation that leads to knee numbness. A 2013 studyTrusted Source found that people who accidentally burn the back or front of their knee applying heating pads or hot water bottles can also experience knee numbness. Arthritis Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and swelling in the joints. It especially affects the knee joints because they’re subject to a lot of wear and tear from daily activities and exercise. Some people with arthritis experience altered sensory perception. In addition to pain, a person can experience numbness and tingling. Diabetic neuropathy Having diabetes can lead to nerve damage that doctors call diabetic neuropathy. While there are different types, peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves of the feet and legs. Diabetic neuropathy symptoms usually start in the feet. They include tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain. In some people, these symptoms extend to the knees. Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes muscle pain and fatigue for unknown reasons. It doesn’t damage the joints like arthritis does, but it can cause similar symptoms that include muscle pain and numbness. Some people with fibromyalgia have tender points, which are areas of the body that may feel painful, numb, or reactive to touch. The knees are one of these areas. Radiculitis Radiculitis is inflammation of one or more of the nerves that exit the spinal column. Narrow spinal canals, a spinal disc that’s out of place, or arthritis where the spinal bones can start to rub together are all common causes of radiculitis. Because the nerves that leave the spine can run down the leg, it’s possible inflammation in the back can lead to tingling and numbness in the knee as well. As the condition worsens, some people find their legs feel weaker. Surgery on the knee Some patients who have had a total knee replacement may experience knee numbness. A surgeon may accidentally injure the saphenous nerve located near the kneecap during surgery. ResearchTrusted Source shows that most people who have surgery-related knee numbness experience it on the outer portion of the knee. Additional symptoms In addition to numbness in the knee, you may have other symptoms that affect your legs and back. These symptoms include: changes in body temperature sensation, such as the skin feeling very hot or cold knee pain Pain that extends from the buttocks throughout the leg Swelling Tingling Weakness in the legs Often, your symptoms can help guide a doctor as to potential causes. Talk to us if you have knee numbness that affects your mobility and interferes with your daily activities. Usually, the earlier a doctor treats a condition, the better your results. #PelvicFloorWeakness #SportsInjuries #SportsMed #PatellaTendonitis #ImmediateCare. #Physiotherapy$Rehab #PhysicalTherapy #Kneepain #Backpain #NeckPain