What does it mean when knee locks and then pops up?
This type of popping symptom is often a sign of a meniscus tear or a loose piece of cartilage within the joint. 1 These are tissues inside the knee that help cushion and protect the joint. The torn meniscus or loose cartilage may catch in the knee as it moves back and forth. This causes a popping sensation.
What does it mean when your knee locks up on you?
When a loose body becomes wedged in the knee joint, it causes it to lock. A loose body may result from a knee fracture, or from an underlying condition, such as arthritis of the knee. Foreign objects left in the body during past surgery can also act as loose bodies and cause joint locking.
What does lock knees mean?
A “locked knee” is a term used to describe an inability to either bend or straighten their knee. A locked knee can be a very painful condition that limits not only the ability to bend, but also the ability to walk, step up, or even sit down comfortably.
What is knee catching?
Many people with knee degeneration may experience mechanical symptoms such as joint locking or catching, which are often attributed to a section of the knee joint becoming lodged between the joint surfaces as a result of friction caused by a torn meniscus.
Do you need surgery for a torn meniscus?
A tear that gives you a lot of pain or impairs use of your knee may require surgery to remove or repair the torn part of the meniscus. Complex tears usually require surgery to trim the damaged part of the meniscus.
Is a locked knee an emergency?
An acutely locked knee that will not straighten is an orthopaedic emergency. More commonly, the patient will be able to play again after a few days, but the knee will swell and be painful after activity. When the patient presents, take a good history as the nature of the injury will often give the diagnosis.
Why does my knee suddenly give way?
Knee buckling, often described as a knee “giving way,” is a symptom of knee instability that frequently affects older individuals, in particular those with knee pain and knee osteoarthritis (OA), and may be caused by muscle weakness and balance difficulties.
What causes your knee to pop and lock up?
If you find your knee locking up and popping, it is most likely due to a meniscus tear. A meniscus tear can be caused by an injury, usually from a twisting movement or from gradual wear and tear on the joint. You can find out more in the meniscus tear section.
Why does my knee lock up after meniscus surgery?
I hear it everyday – someone comes in after getting meniscus surgery because their knee was locking up and they still have pain. Patients with locked knee usually notice their knee locks up when going from sitting to standing or for no reason at all. The theory goes that a piece of a torn meniscus gets in the way and doesn’t let your knee unlock.
What should I do if I keep locking my knee?
If you keep having symptoms, and especially if locking continues, your doctor will probably recommend surgery. In children and young adults, meniscus tears can usually be repaired. However, in older people and in severe tears, surgical repair may not be possible.
Is it normal for my knee to pop or snap?
The symptom of popping or snapping in the knee can be a sign of a few different problems. One of the key distinguishing factors is whether or not the popping or snapping causes or is associated with pain. Popping or snapping not associated with painful symptoms is often not a sign of a significant problem.