Knee locking is when your knee joint gets stuck, often from a knee injury, and you can’t move. This can be from a torn meniscus or muscle spasms.
For this reason, we’ll cover the causes, symptoms and treatment options so you can understand and manage knee locking.
What is My Knee Locking Up?
Knee locking is the inability to move the knee joint. It’s a debilitating condition for those who have it. Knee locking can be classified into two types. True and pseudo.
True knee locking is when the knee joint is completely immobile, often from a physical blockage such as a torn meniscus or loose bone fragment. Pseudo knee locking is from intense pain that restricts movement, often from muscle spasms or inflammation.
A pseudo locked knee is when knee pain causes muscle spasms that temporarily immobilizes the knee.
When your knee locks you can’t bend or straighten your leg and everyday activities like sitting, standing or kneeling become very difficult. Both true and pseudo knee locking can disrupt your daily routine and be frustrating and uncomfortable.
Suppose you are trying to climb stairs or get out of a chair with your knee locked in place, it’s not a pleasant experience, right ?
Knee Locking Up When Walking
If your knee locks up while walking, it could be due to a mechanical issue like a torn meniscus, loose cartilage, or a condition such as osteoarthritis. You might feel your knee catch or get stuck, making it difficult to bend or straighten. This can be painful and may cause swelling or instability.
Meniscal tears are a common cause, affecting about 61 per 100,000 people annually, with higher rates in athletes.
Osteoarthritis, which can also lead to locking, affects over 32.5 million adults in the U.S. alone. If you experience this, seek medical advice, as untreated locking can worsen and may require physical therapy or surgery.
Causes of Knee Locking
Several things can cause knee locking, affecting the knee joints and restricting movement.
- Meniscus tears
- Ligament damage
- Loose bone fragments
- Arthritis
- Pseudo knee locking
- Plica syndrome
- Patellar maltracking
As you can see, each of these causes affects the knee joints differently and knowing the specifics helps you manage knee locking better.
1. Meniscus Tears
A meniscus tear affects the c-shaped cartilage pad in the knee joint. The meniscus is between the thigh bone and the shinbone, acting as a cushion to absorb shock.
This cartilage is a shock absorber. These tears can be from a sudden twist, squatting or gradual wear over time, especially in older people.
When a meniscus tear is severe it can cause true knee locking and the knee becomes immobile. This type of tear is called a bucket handle tear and often requires surgical intervention to restore proper knee function.
2. Ligament Damage
Ligament damage in the knee can be from sudden stopping or abnormal movement of the knee joint and can be very uncomfortable and limit mobility. The tendons that attach the knee bones to the leg muscles are important for knee stability and movement.
Symptoms of ligament damage are pain, instability in the knee and difficulty with daily activities. This type of injury can severely limit your ability to bend or straighten your knee and cause knee locking.
3. Loose Bone Fragments
Loose bone fragments in the knee joint can cause true knee locking and severe pain and restricted movement. These fragments can be from a knee fracture or degenerative diseases and create a physical blockage that prevents the knee from moving freely.
For those with degenerative conditions knee replacement surgery may be an option.
Loose bodies need to be surgically removed to restore knee function.
4. Arthritis
Arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis can cause knee locking from inflammation and structural changes in the knee joint. This autoimmune condition causes swelling, pain and stiffness and can severely limit knee mobility. Treatment options for knee locking due to arthritis may be anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and in some cases surgery.
In some cases prescription pain medications may be needed to manage severe arthritis pain and improve knee function.
Arthritis management is medical treatment and lifestyle changes. Physical therapy regularly maintains joint flexibility and strength and medications reduce inflammation and pain. Severe wear and tear arthritis may need surgery to alleviate symptoms and improve knee function.
5. Pseudo Knee Locking
Pseudo knee locking is a temporary feeling of immobility in the knee, often from muscle spasms or intense pain, when a pseudo locked knee occurs.
This condition can be triggered by various factors, fractures or tendonitis which can temporarily affect knee mobility. Muscle spasms is a common cause and can make the knee feel locked without any actual obstruction sometimes called pseudo locked knee.
6. Plica Syndrome
Plica syndrome is irritated tissue in the knee that causes pain and locking. Symptoms are knee locking and inflammation which can severely impact knee function.
Treatment is rest and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and pain.
Professional advice is needed for knee locking due to plica syndrome.
7. Patellar Maltracking
Patellar maltracking is when the kneecap is misaligned and causes pain and feeling of locking during movement. This can be from muscle imbalances or structural abnormalities.
In severe cases patellar maltracking can cause a true knee lock where the knee joint becomes immobile from an obstruction.
Therapeutic exercises and knee braces can manage symptoms and improve knee function.
Knee Locking Up and Popping
Knee locking and popping can be unsettling, and if you experience these symptoms, they may indicate underlying issues in your knee joint.
Locking occurs when your knee gets stuck in one position, often due to a torn meniscus, loose cartilage, or a condition like osteoarthritis. Popping, on the other hand, is usually caused by gas bubbles in the synovial fluid or tendons snapping over bony structures.
While occasional popping is normal, frequent or painful popping, especially with locking, could signal a problem. Studies show that about 30% of people with knee pain report locking, and up to 70% experience popping.
Symptoms of Knee Locking
The main symptom of a locked knee is the inability to extend the knee fully. This can make daily activities like walking or climbing stairs very difficult.
Swelling around the knee joint is common after a locking episode and contributes to discomfort and restricted movement. You can also feel a joint locking sensation that prevents normal movement.
Symptoms of knee locking are:
- Sharp pain around the knee joint
- Swelling and tenderness
- Unable to fully extend the leg
- Grinding or popping sensations
Diagnose Methods
Your doctor will ask about previous knee injuries or surgeries to understand your current condition. During the physical exam he will check the range of motion of your knee and look for swelling or tenderness.
Specific tests like McMurray test can help detect meniscal injuries associated with knee locking.
Diagnostic imaging like X-rays, CT scans and MRIs may be ordered to get a detailed view of the knee joint and identify the structural issues causing the locking.
Treatment for Knee Locking
Treatment for knee locking can be conservative or surgical. The choice of treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition.
Non surgical and surgical solutions both aims to relieve knee pain and restore function.
Conservative Treatments
Conservative treatments are rest, ice packs and over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Rest allows healing and prevent further strain, ice packs reduces swelling and gives immediate pain relief.
Physical therapy strengthens knee muscles, improves flexibility and restores function. Therapeutic exercises increases muscle strength, improves stability and prevents future knee locking episodes.
Surgical Treatments
Surgery is recommended when conservative treatments fail and the locking is due to structural issues. Options may be repair or removal of damaged structures. Arthroscopic surgery is preferred for its minimally invasive nature.
Arthroscopic surgery can treat true locked knees by removing loose cartilage or bone fragments. Recovery time depends on the procedure and individual’s health.
How to Prevent Knee Locking
Preventing knee locking involves adopting several ways to maintain knee health and avoid injury. Doing exercises that strengthens the muscles around the knee can give better support and reduce the risk of injury.
1. Strength Training
Strengthen the muscles around the knee including quadriceps, hamstrings and calves. Exercises like squats, lunges and leg press builds muscle strength and supports the knee joint.
2. Flexibility Exercises
Include stretching exercises to improve flexibility of hamstrings, quadriceps and calves.
Yoga and dynamic stretching is good for flexibility and knee injury prevention.
3. Proper Warm-Up
Warm up before physical activities. A good warm up increases blood flow to the muscles and prepares the joints for movement, reduces injury risk.
4. Use Proper Technique
In sports or daily activities use proper form to avoid stressing the knee joint.
Using proper technique can prevent injuries and overall knee health.
5. Avoid High Impact Activities
Avoid activities that stresses the knees like running on hard surfaces or jumping especially with history of knee problems. Choose low impact exercises like swimming or cycling to stay fit without stressing your knees.
6. Footwear
Wear shoes with sufficient support and cushioning. Proper footwear absorbs shock and reduces knee problem risks.
Choose shoes for your specific activity to get maximum protection and comfort.
7. Weight Management
Maintain a healthy weight to reduce knee load. Excess weight increases knee locking and joint problems. A balanced diet and regular exercise helps you achieve and maintain optimal weight.
8. Hydration
Stay hydrated to keep the joints lubricated. Hydration supports joint health and reduces knee swelling and discomfort.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day especially before and after physical activities.
9. Physical Therapy
If you have history of knee problems, work with a physical therapist. They can give you customized exercises and strategies to strengthen the knee and prevent locking.
10. Listen to Your Body
Notice signs of discomfort or pain in your knees. If you experience knee locking symptoms, rest and see a doctor.
When to See a Professional
See a professional if you experience knee locking symptoms.
Knee specialists can help alleviate pain from knee locking and provide treatment options.
Bottom Line : Key Takeaways
Knee locking can affect your daily life but knowing its causes, symptoms and treatment options can help you manage it.
- Knee locking can be true or pseudo.
- Meniscus tears, ligament damage, loose bone fragments and arthritis each require different treatment approaches.
- Preventing knee locking is about strengthening exercises, proper warm-ups and a healthy weight to support knee health.
