Relationship between Chronic Knee Injury and Lower Back and Cervical Pain

Clinical Evidence

In patients with chronic knee pain, referred pain from the lower back should be considered, especially if knee radiographs are normal and there is clinical evidence of lumbar spine pathology, as recommended by the American College of Radiology 1, 2, 3
When a patient presents with chronic knee pain and normal radiographs, evaluation of the lumbar spine should be considered to identify possible origin of pain, according to the American College of Radiology 3, 4
In cases of knee pain without evident radiographic changes, consideration of magnetic resonance imaging of the knee and possibly the lumbar spine is recommended, as suggested by the American College of Radiology 5, 6

Orthoses and supports for the knee can help correct tibiofemoral malalignment, improve joint pain, and improve physical function, potentially reducing the impact on the spine, as reported in PM&R (The Journal of Injury Function & Rehabilitation) 7