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Published on: 8/20/2026

What could cause numbness in the right knee?

Numbness in one knee typically occurs when a nerve near the knee is injured, compressed, or irritated. Common causes include direct trauma, recent surgery, prolonged pressure on the leg, or underlying conditions such as a pinched nerve, herniated disc, or peripheral neuropathy that affect the nerves surrounding the knee area.

Because knee numbness can stem from many different causes—some minor, others requiring prompt medical attention—it's important to identify what's driving your symptoms before deciding on next steps. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand possible causes and get personalized guidance on what to do next.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Numbness around the knee can happen when nerves in that area do not work well. One reason might be an injury to the peroneal nerve, which runs near the knee and can be hurt by a blow or pressure. After knee surgery, sometimes the small nerves under the skin can be affected, leading to numbness. In some cases, a Baker's cyst—a fluid-filled swelling behind the knee—may press on the posterior tibial nerve and cause numb feelings. Nerve injury or compression can also occur in chronic conditions like knee osteoarthritis, where the damage over time may affect how the nerves send signals. It is important to know that numbness is a type of symptom that might need further check-up if it continues or worsens. Even though these explanations show some common causes, each case is different. To better understand what might be causing your knee numbness and get personalized insights, try Ubie's free AI-powered symptom checker. This information is meant for educational use only and is not a substitute for a professional medical evaluation.

(References)

  • Updated 2024 Feb 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549859/

  • Black R, Green C, Sochart D. Postoperative numbness of the knee following total knee arthroplasty. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2013 Nov;95(8):565-8. doi: 10.1308/rcsann.2013.95.8.565. PMID: 24165337; PMCID: PMC4311531.

  • Lee JH, Jun JB, Lee HS, Yun HR, Choi CH, Park SB, Hong EK, Yoo DH, Kim SY. Posterior tibial neuropathy by a Baker's cyst: case report. Korean J Intern Med. 2000 Jan;15(1):96-8. doi: 10.3904/kjim.2000.15.1.96. PMID: 10714101; PMCID: PMC4531743.

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