Why do I have burning pain or numbness on the outside of my knee?

Nerve pain feels different

Joint pain is usually an ache or a sharp pain with movement. Nerve irritation is more often burning, electric, tingling or numb, and it may run down the outer shin to the top of the foot. It can come and go with certain positions rather than with load.

The common peroneal nerve lies just under the skin around the head of the fibula, the bony bump below and behind the outer knee. Habitual leg crossing, sitting with the leg tucked under you, a tight cast or brace, significant weight loss, a cyst near the joint or a twisting ligament injury can all irritate it. A pinched nerve in the lower back, such as from a disc problem, can produce similar symptoms with back or buttock pain.

What you can do

• Avoid crossing your legs and sitting on your folded leg
• Check that braces, straps and tight boots are not pressing below the outer knee
• Note when symptoms happen and whether your back is also sore
• Keep gently active; nerve irritation from pressure often settles once the pressure is removed

Red flags: seek care promptly

• Weakness lifting the front of the foot or toes, catching your toes or a slapping walk, called foot drop
• Numbness after a significant knee injury or dislocation
• Burning pain with a hot, swollen or discoloured leg
• Back pain with numbness in the groin area or new bladder or bowel problems, which needs the emergency department straight away

Assessment in Doha

Dr. Gelber examines the knee, the nerve around the fibula, sensation and muscle strength, and checks whether the back may be the source. Depending on findings, ultrasound or MRI can look for a cyst pressing on the nerve, and nerve conduction studies or a spine assessment may be arranged. Many pressure-related cases recover with time; persistent compression, for example by a cyst, may need surgical release.