Knee Injury, "The Locking Knee"

[DrAReznik]

Ledge 106

There are a number of reasons for recurrent problems after a knee procedure many depend on the initial problem, you potential to heal and the Post op protection for the repair. If you had a meniscus repair it may not have healed this occurs often but does happen. There are other reason like instability not fully appreciated at the time of surgery and more complex issues

You need a re- evaluation also read my book the shoulder and knee handbook for all of us see it on lulu.com

[ledge106]

what should i do?? desperate to get back to what I love doing last 5 years have been nightmare no consistent seasons free of injury!!Please help??

[ledge106]

well doctor I am a 21 year old athlete who has popped his knee out 3 times over the pasr 5 years..it last came out in may 2010 and it then began to heal however shortly after my return my knee started to become awful sore locking and cracking had mri scan done found out knee was maligned with cartilige damage..subsequently had surgery on cartilige month and half later knee going back to same way before operation excercises don't seem to be working and knee if anything feels worse,

[Piinkzebra2112]

My knee locks from dance. Iv stoped dance (my fav sport). But I'm still having issues WHAT SHOULD I DO!?!?!

[DrAReznik]

@Piinkzebra2112 there are many reasons for locking

read my article on locking buckling and giving way on my web site togct.com

look under my bio and patient education or go to

togct.com/articles/

and click on locking bucking and giving way

[DrAReznik]

learn more about knees in my book The Knee and Shoulder Handbook for all of us

at LULU.com/spotlight/rezex

[adamski895RS]

My right knee locks 2 times a week

[DrAReznik]

@adamski895RS see the response to Klke699

[adamski895RS]

@DrAReznik Well I had Osgudslaters in my knees a few year ago, so that may have something to do with it I've played ice hockey since I was 7 so that has most likely wore my cartilage down.

[DrAReznik]

@DrAReznik learn more about Osgood - Schlatters in my book The Knee and Shoulder Handbook for all of us

at LULU.com/spotlight/rezex

[vittoamp]

locked my knee playing football. I can flex no problem, but can only extend 80-90%. Full extension is really painful and impossible. I will be having surgery today to fix this problem. I hope to make a full recovery and play sports again asap.

Thank you for the video.

[stafhonbocaskates]

Hi in the beginning of the summer i jumped 10 stairs on my skateboard and my knee locked up then after a week it got better then a few weeks later it dislocated not fully and a lot of pain came along then i went to the hospital and they give me a brace and under arm support legs but i didn't hurt when i put pressure on it only when i jump and bend it so i stared to excessive at home and it getting better but do u have any tips on what i should do you can just message or reply

[DrAReznik]

@stafhonbocaskates It sounds like you have a signifivcant injury that needs close follow up. Did they Take an X-ray? Did you see and Orthopedic specialist?

[Kike699]

Hey im 16 and i play soccer. Sometimes when i do squats or do other exercise involving my knees it gets locked and then when i extend them they make a popping noise(sometimes loud or soft). Once it began to hurt but it went away like a day or two. Is this normal because i dont want to have knee surgery and wait months of experience to play soccer again

[DrAReznik]

@Kike699 Does the knee swell after? is there pain behind the knee cap or along the sides?

do you have to twist the knee to unlock it? these are concerns that indicate you may need the cartilage repaired. A good exam by an Orthopedic Surgeon is needed to sort this out.

[brandnewdude8]

My knee locks and it hurts so bad i instinclively grab my ankle and straighten it out. Resulting in a loud crack

[DrAReznik]

@brandnewdude8 It sounds like you knee is locking with a torn cartilage as in this video or a loose body.

You should see an orthjopedic surgeon to prevent futher damage to your knee. A loud crack is not a good sign when the knee is locked. You may be damaging the normally very smooth surfaces each time.

[combatjm89]

Nice to finally see what happened to me in the early 90s. Torn MMT - 2 months to get a correct diagnosis (I was in the Army), another 6 months before I got cut, then 6 months to "heal". 14 months total, and I was still on jump status, going to the field and walking in the dark - reinjured it twice...my surgeon was great - an orthopaedic surgeon who was an Army Ranger!

[dontdareforget123]

ok so my knee has been hurting me for a while now, and whenever i do something that involves my knee (my left knee) it always starts hurting. i play basketball, by he way. (that may be why it hurts?) and also, my knee sometimes cracks when i bend it in, and it feels like it would if you were to crack your knuckles. should i get this checked out? reply, thanks :)

[DrAReznik]

@dontdareforget123 If it hurts every time you play it should be "checked out"

[dontdareforget123]

@DrAReznik ok thanks, i didnt know if it was a big deal or not

[DrAReznik]

@dontdareforget123 It may not be, but only a good exam by skilled hands will tell

[dontdareforget123]

@DrAReznik alright thanks :)

[xMRxQTIP]

@dontdareforget123 dude my knees do the same thing :O

[countyguy2003]

i injured my knee at work i went to a health center cause it was swollen rite it was making it very difficult to walk , anyways the PA prescribed me sum pills i took them for the swelling it took that down but im still having trouble going up and down stairs the knee does alot of poping or snapping anybody got anyideas been about a month now hasnt seem to get anybetter

[DrAReznik]

@countyguy2003 If swelling continues for more that 4-6 weeks you should see an orthopedic surgeon.

[PinnacleTech]

I have loose bodies in my knee. I can feel them crunch everytime i bend my knee. Is it urgent I go through arthroscopic knee surgery to get these removed? What are some of the dangers of not getting these removed? Thanks!

[DrAReznik]

@PinnacleTech

It is similar to having sand or marbles in your car's gear box. The cruching can not be good for the surfaces that need to be smooth and last your whole life. It sounds like sooner would be better than later.

[froglovesnoone]

Thankyou for posting these informative and educational videos.

[jcanestaro]

I have had trouble with my left knee since Apr. 2009 when it first locked up. I had an MRI which was inconclusive and then a scope which, come to find, did nothing to help. I had a scope again in March of 2010 and I am still having the knee lock up or catch when I have it bent a certain way. I had an MRI last month and it came back inconclusive again. Do you have any idea of what it could be? My doctor seems to think that it is not a meniscus tear, but it locked up 3Xs last week swimming.

[DrAReznik]

Locking Buckling and giving way are three differing problems and there is a detailed discussion (a full chapter) in the book "The Knee and Shoulder Handbook for all of us" (go to Lulu.com/spotlight/rezex). So you can have "locking" and not have a meniscus tear. This is very difficult to sort out at times. A careful review of your operative photos, MRI's along with a good exam with a fresh point of view is needed to piece this together and solve the problem. The book chapter will be helpful.

[mikewhitemc]

2nd half of my comment......... i have to wait 5 to 7 weeks alway and when im there with no pain its not the same. he did try and move it wierd ways to see it lig's are torn . this video showing a flapping peice makes sense. I also get shooting pains down the leg and foot tingles like a nerve or something is rubbing. I dont know what to do...please help me with some info

[mikewhitemc]

I have all these trouble with my knee. 2 differant dr seen 1 mri the 2nd oppinoin dr tells me small miniscus tear not to worry just keep playing sports. but I can bairly get through a regular day let along try and be athletic. sometimes i cant even straightem my leg the pain is a 10 on the pain scale. Cant sleep and when the pain is happening I cant get to see the dr. he is so booked.

[DrAReznik]

@mikewhitemc - It sounds like you need to go back to the first Dr. and have your n\knee checked again. Sometime an MRI can under read or obver read a tear. In either cause we have to listen to our patient;s history and symptoms and then take the best course of action knowing the full picture.

[DrAReznik]

@hooba1971 - I use a light general Anesthetic so my patents don't feel anything during the surgery. Then I put Novocain in the knee so they have a little soreness but little true pain post op.

[dreamseeker501]

Dr R, Approx 5-6 yrs ago I was sitting in a crossed legged position and upon trying to straighten out my leg I discovered my knee was locked. After that time it would lock almost every time I forgot and crossed my leg, sometimes being very difficult to get unhinged. The locking occurs on the outside of my leg and when the locking lets go I can feel something pop in my hip as well. Any ideas. I have also had some numbness on the inside of my foot/ ankle on the leg as well.

[DrAReznik]

@dreamseeker501 - If this is ongoing, you need an MRI of your knee. The story is classic for a torn meniscus (cartilage). The Numbness can be from swelling behind the knee (large Baker's cyst) or tightness at the hip if the hip is trying to control the knee from locking. In any case, it is time to get this checked out by an orthopaedic surgeon.

[thelovelybandgeek]

man i had surgery in june of last year then january of this year and that makes my knee hurt. i had a dislocated patella and it would cause my leg to give out or lock. my first surgery was orthoscopic and it failed and my second was the bigger surgery and im left with a huge scar and a bolt

[DrAReznik]

@thelovelybandgeek - This sounds like a complex case and there is not enough info to help you. Did the second procedure work out?

[thelovelybandgeek]

@DrAReznik Yes so far so good. I guess I'll truly find out when I start up marching band again. Which was actually the reason how I found out about my knee. And yeah we're not exactly sure what was wrong or still is wrong with my knee. I had problems rotating my hips as a baby so my doctor believes that went to messing up my knees. Which my knees aren't aligned right so he believes that's it and that I'm destine to have replacements from the wear and tear of them not being aligned is going on me

[fsotom09]

Hello Dr. Areznik, my knee also seems to be locking up. I cannot fully extend it and when I try to I feel a sharp pain on the inner side, MCL I am guessing. It has happened before, few months ago but went away and now has come back. I am an avid athlete and have had surgical repairs to both knees to fix torn ACL's. I took an MRI back in January to check my Meniscus and was fine. Any suggestions??

[DrAReznik]

It is always more complicated in someone with multiple prior surgeries. Was the follow up MRI an MRI arthrogram? Sometimes its hard to see if there is a tear in a post surgical knee and adding the arthrogram to the MRI may help. I also like to test all my patients with the KT1000 knee arthrometer. It tells exactly the function of the ACL graft. That may also help figure out what is wrong.

[pauldrake2511]

my knee seems to be that i cant extend it and wen moved in a pecitular way hurts what gives?like i can walk but it wont fully extend?

[DrAReznik]

@pauldrake2511

Sounds like you have something similar to what is in the video.

If the fragment is removed, it will stop locking.

[gabruputt27]

Hi, Doctor I was playing cricket in jan and I heared a popping sound in my knee , I went with the RICE formula and it worked for me . bt then again it popped up in March , I again rested it for 1 week and it was healed , it happened to me now for the third time in May. I have visit the orthopaedic its a meniscus tear ,surgery . I am 25 male in sydney and I wanted to know that what are the post surgery results, my work includes standing and a normal walking ????

[DrAReznik]

@gabruputt27 - As with all things size and location of the tear can change the prognosis. Increased size, age, weight, zone (red being better blood supply, white none see my web site togct.com) are important factors. Most people still do well with good treatment and return to sports. Repairs take longer that removal.

[0teh0killah2]

Sometimes when I walk or turn I get this sort of buckling in my knee, it feels sort of like cracking a knuckle or something popping out and then back in again.

It happens very seldom, and when it does it goes by fast, but it brings me to the ground. The pain isn't much, its more the shock that gets me. My knee also swells up a bit afterwards, and I walk with a limp. Completely straightening my knee is hard to do without helping it, things are normal 2 days later.

Do you know what is happening?

[DrAReznik]

@0teh0killah2 - this sounds like a locking knee most likely from a torn meniscus or intra-articular loose body. Instability on a turn can also be an ACL tear. I would recommend a good exam to check for meniscus signs and stability, and an X-ray to rule out a loose body. Possibly, pending the finding on the exam and X-ray an MRI if needed.

[swiffstep]

my left knee occasionally gets locked up when i dance or play sports. but i manage to unlock it in a sitting position. it hurts like hell. im not sure if i have a meniscus tear like in this video. cuz mine feels like a tangle or knot of something inside the knee. kinda like bones being locked like crossed fingers, but way more painful. if anyone else knows or experienced this please give me some advice?

[DrAReznik]

These symptoms are classic for a mechanical problem in your knee. This means when the knee "locks" you are damaging the surfaces and this will lead to loss of function and arthritis. From your description of the "locking," this will be sooner than later. (No matter how you describe it - it seems very painful and that cannot be good.) Please have this evaluated by an orthopaedic surgeon with plain X-rays and an MRI. Your knee will thank you for it.

[ILOVEYOULITTLEITALY]

About a year ago while I was getting up off the ground I twisted my knee and it started 2 pop every time I bent it, but there was no pain involved

Then, a few months later I took swim and twisting my knee and ever since then my knee's been LOCKING up on me whenever I bend it.

I'm not in any pain at all, only when the knee is in the LOCKED position and I try to put pressure on it.

[DrAReznik]

It sounds like you knee is locking as shown in this video or the medial meniscus repair video. It also sounds like this is getting worse over time, not better. This could mean your are enlarging the tear with each locking event. That will make it harder to repair. You are also risking locking the knee and being unable to unlock it. It is time for you to seek an Orthopedic opinion and possible repair.

[benderbotx]

I just had something happen to my knee. I don't know quite what happened but it felt as though my knee popped to the right for a moment and then went back into place. I fell to the ground because it hurt so badly. It's been about 4 days and my knee still feels weak and my knee cracks every minute or so of walking. The crack is pretty painful. There is a little swelling also.

My dad said that I should just "give it some exercise"but I would still like to have a doctor's perspective.

[DrAReznik]

So if you knee gives way and there are continued pain and swelling there is always a concern you have torn a ligament or cartilage. If there is recurring giving way or swelling even more so. Exercize will not change this. Rest the knee first, if the symptoms don't improve see your doctor.

[hemaloo]

@benderbotx : please show to doctor, it may be an ACL tear or meniscus tear. and show to a good doctor with experience

[LtTsukasa]

Thanks for the info Doctor.

[bye1962]

thank-you Doctor. :)

[LtTsukasa]

Thanks a lot for the fast reply.I would also like to know if this sort of think could be missed on an MRI, and if there are other ways knee locking could occur.

[DrAReznik]

MRI is a static picture and has (beleive it or not) limits to its ability to see the ACL well. Some centers take special "veiws" to help but sometime swelling makes a bruised ACL look torn and the angle of the torn ligament base can make a torn ACL look OK. To complicate things there are partial (or single bundle) tears too.

I like to use a KT1000 to test the knee for stability- it still is the gold standard for finding the ACL's useful function and can help make the difference in good exam.

[Boscosfamily]

@DrAReznik

Thank you for your video. I had this procedure done 20 years ago as a teen and now It is painful again and locking. I can't drive a 5 speed as my knee locks when I use the clutch. I was a soccor goalie years ago , now I am careful but I do ski and snowboard. I just hate the pain ..any advice

[DrAReznik]

It sounds like you are still very active and want to continue to do so. If the knee is locking now, it would be better to now what is wrong sooner than later. A good exam and new x-rays with standing views of both knees for comparison is a good place to start.

[DrAReznik]

A sense of locking can also occur with a painful knee cap and secondary quads weekness. The knee pain shuts the quads off and then the leg gives way. It is important to understand the difference since it changes the treatment.

[LtTsukasa]

Is this something that can go away with time? Like, can the cartilage causing the locking just break down over time, or is it something that really needs to be surgically removed?

[DrAReznik]

This is a great question! The short answer is no. First, the process of locking causes bruising and damage to the other surfaces. If you wait for it to wear itself away, you will have given knee arthritis a jump start. Second the locking causes swelling and the swelling comes with and inflammatory response this will damage the knee in time.

[DrAReznik]

Third, if you look at this video, the end is smooth and fat. This patient did try to wait this out for a long time. It never got better. The torn piece has grown in size over time causing more locking, not less. The synovial fluid feeds the piece of torn cartilage, nourishes it, and it grows with time. The now larger bulbous end can get trapped and cause even more difficultly or even the knee to lock in one position requiring semi-urgent surgical correction at a non-convenient time.

[iCorr13]

what are good knee exersizes for weak knees for people around 50?

[DrAReznik]

Everything depends on your physical condition. In general if you have a knee problem then low impact exercises like elliptical, biking or swimming are best. Quad strengthening has been shown to decrease pain associated with osteoarthritis. However, squats, leg press and lunges are not helpful in patents with patella (kneecap) pain or arthritis. see my web site for more info: TOGCT

The Orthopaedic Group CT.

[chasingamy77]

do you have any vids on acl....this was beautiful btw

[DrAReznik]

Thank you

I am working on it.

[AbsolutelyAlexxxa]

I had knee surgery about three weeks ago. A debriedment

My knee has been giving out but not severe enough to make me fall

what's wrong?

[DrAReznik]

It is always difficult to know what you had done without seeing the operative report. Most of the time if there was a simple meniscus tear and it was removed, swelling and quads weakness gives a sense of instability even if the cartilage tear has been fixed. You should be checked again and medication for swelling if you have it and a change in the therapy program may be needed.

[tensaibooce]

hi doctor~ i just had a injury on my knee today.. . its a re injury.. i was doing a little jog while playing basketball and then when i landed on my right knoww... it went pop and hurt like hell... and when i straightened my knee after 15 min or so.... it went pop again and seems like it pooped back to position.. the pain was less severe.... its swollen now and im wondering if i can ever avoid re-injuries?

[DrAReznik]

A pop followed by an inability to move and then a pop back is usually a sign of a some mechanical problem. It could be kneecap related or cartilage related (see my meniscus repair video). In general, these don't go away by themselves and you will need to be seen by an orthopaedic surgeon. Even more so if swelling, pain, instability or locking persists in any way.

[MarcusTVideos]

I don't know what happened to my knee but I was playing spots and it just popped I guess and then next thing I know I couldn't move my knee with out serious pain I believe I couldn't move my knee for a month I laid in bed all spring break. I'm not sure what happened but it was painful and it resulted in Osgood schlatter but I have outgrew the pain in the knee I am now 14.

[DrAReznik]

Osgood Schlatter's is an injury to the growth center at the insertion site of the patella tendon. It can be painful and when it heals you are usually left with a bump over the injured area. Many times once it is healed you will be prone to tendinitis or re-injury.

[quasarthestar]

Hi doctor. I had knee surgery 2 years ago on my meniscus and it seems like even after rehab my knee won't stop hurting no matter what i do. I do play basketball seldomly. Do you think i should stop playing basketball or is it ok to play through the pain?

[DrAReznik]

There are a lot of things to consider here. First is what was done two years ago, if you knee is aligned striaght or bowed, your age and your current knee exam. I would recomend a follow up visit with your Surgeon, new Xrays and exam.

[Samanmotlagh]

playing casual soccer. And my knuckles of my bones in my knee joint are getting banged together during those twist and my inner side of the knee is also in pain afterwards (I'm guessing either cartilage damage or MCL damage). My knee is generally very unstable.

Do you think anything can be done if reexamined?

[DrAReznik]

If some of the meniscus was removed, pending how much, the ability for the knee to stand impact loading is lessened. If the knee is painful in the inner side (medial knee) I would recommend a follow up exam with X-rays including a Standing X-ray to see what happens when the knee is loaded by standing on it. This may help define what is wrong. Pending your age their may be some options to help decrease your symptoms.

[Samanmotlagh]

Thank you very much. I'm 21. I'll consult my doctor.

[Samanmotlagh]

i suffered a knee (right) injury playing american football 5 years ago, completely tearing my ACL and also the right side of the meniscus.

I had the ACL reconstructed and some of the meniscus removed.

Later after having rehabbed i twisted the knee to the other side, leaving me suspecting that my PCL was torn, examination and scan however revealed nothing. Obviously I don't play football anymore (even though I have a brace), but I've had many minor and medium twists from simply fooling around or

[BRFREESTYLERFZ]

comment never appear i dont now how i mist it but im 18 and i bet the pressure in m knee is alot but ur a doctor and u know that the body is a complex machine able to take enormous punishment and for 5 year of training i consider my self that my body has adopted to that punishment my mistake was playing soccer that i do for fun and dont care much about i will have to wait n see how my knee turns out my goal is to squat 500 lb i was asking i u have a patient with similar story thx for ur time

[DrAReznik]

You are not getting the best advice. In an injured knee, it may be doable but these are unreasonable goals and do not represent good sense, decades of wisdom or sound medical advice.

[DrAReznik]

After 20 + years operation on knees, my opinion remains the same. You knee is a mechanical lever - a full squat develops 7 to 9 times you weight plus the load you lift on the kneecap.

add you weight to 315 and multiply it by 9 to find out how much pressure your kneecap is under for each rep.

[DrAReznik]

OK there are a number of issues here - First I assume you are a minor and should tell your parents your concerns- and ask if you can speak to the MD privately with their permission. It will go a long way in helping you and your MD take better care f you. Second, squatting 315 is terrible for your knee and worse for soccer. Soccer is an agility sport and squats build the slow twitch muscles. They only slow you down.

[BRFREESTYLERFZ]

hello

in having this surgery in 2 week it happen a week ago and before it hapend i was i great shape squatting 315 lb will i be able to return to my program after i heal completely

the injury was playing soccer will it have any negative effect like

pain at parallel

pressure in the joint that will be painfull

please reply i dont have tha nerves to ask my doctor in front of my dad he what to tie me to a my bed and never do any sport again literally

[DrAReznik]

You may not squat these heavy weights in the future, it is just a bad idea! You need to talk to a trainer or coach that has more on the ball no pun intended. I bet your parents can tell you are grossly overdoing it and are worried about your long term health.

[bunamoriarty]

man i was plastering a house outside and the scaffolding gave way 14 foot high and i landed on my leg while it was stright and the doctors say i wont need surgery but i cant put my leg fully straight which really worries me any advice???

[DrAReznik]

How long ago did this happen?

What did they say happened to the knee itself?

[bunamoriarty]

august 08 but iv been back and fourth to the hospital ever since. they said that it could be fluid in the knee when i was first there and the second time i went back they tried draining the fluid out and nothing came out so they wanted me to book a MRI scan i think and see what happens.

[joshy899]

well that explains it

[basketballmvp08]

i di the same did the scoping hurt...i want to know cause i might be having it

[K1kuch1]

Dr Reznik suture is possible? Or The piece is just too small for such work?

Thanks

[DrAReznik]

This tear is a chronic tear in the white on white zone with thickening of the end due to nutrients in the synovial fluid. The poor blood supply and change in shape make it impossible to repair. Other tears like the one shown in my medial meniscal repair video have a good blood supply and can be repaired.

[jackvaxx2100]

man.. i tore my cartilage when i was doing long jump :( landed and my leg like sort of 'over' straightened if you know what i mean. so much pain. might have to get an operation soon :(