If you’re worried about how to unlock knee? The following information will be helpful when thinking about treatment options for a locked knee.
If your knee suddenly locks and does not open, get help and call your doctor or go to your nearest emergency department. If the key is locked and you are able to open it, call your doctor to discuss treatment options or to arrange a visit.
What is a Locked Knee?
A locked knee is a knee that cannot be bent or straightened — i.e. it is completely stuck in position and cannot be moved whether due to pain or a mechanical block. It may be temporary (i.e. may resolve spontaneously or with the maneuvering of the leg) or permanent.
A knee-locked knee that can be bent or straightened – that is, completely trapped in place and unable to move due to pain or obstruction. It may be temporary (i.e. it may resolve automatically or by leg orientation) or permanently.
There are two types of locked knee:
1- True Knee Locking
With a true lock, something from the inside of the knee prevents the movement, and with a pseudo locking, the body tries to protect itself by blocking any movement.
Real knee locks are usually the following:
- Meniscus Tear bucket handle: When a large piece of broken cartilage is thrown together at the knee so that it cannot move, as when something is being zipped
- Loose Body: Where a piece of bone or cartilage breaks, it floats and is held in the knee joint. The limp body is also known as the “knee mouse”.
2- Pseudo Knee Locking
A pseudo locked knee occurs when the knee pain is so strong that the leg muscles move and tighten in an effort to protect the joint. This automatic defense method helps prevent further injuries by limiting knee movement.
However, These locks are often the result of knee injuries, inflammation, patellar maltracking of knee plica syndrome.
What are the Symptoms?
Here are the symptoms of a locked knee.
1- Symptoms of pseudo locked knee
The main symptom of pseudo locked knees is pain. A person may also experience the following symptoms:
- A brief locking sensation in the knee
- Pain behind knee,
- Sensation that the knee is catching
- Feeling of looseness or instability in the knee
2- Symptoms of true locked knee
The primary symptom of a true locked knee is the inability to straighten the knee. In some cases, a person with a true locked knee may experience pain, as well.
If a loose body within a joint is causing true locked knee, a person might experience other signs and symptoms, including:
- Chronic stiffness in the knee
- Difficulty straightening the knee fully
- Sharp stabbing pain in knee comes and goes.
What Causes a Knee to Lock?
The most common causes of knee locking are as follows:
1- Knee Pain
You may find that your knee will lock because it just hurts. In this case, there is no real mechanical barrier, either, but your movement becomes second only to the maximum pain that your body does not want to cause as much pain and therefore restricts movement.
Although this is very common in the setting of painful arthritis, there are many causes for knee pain. These include:
- Knee pain – e.g. fracture, dislocation, infection (arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis), or tearing of the tendon, sprain or strain
- Knee arthritis – may cause inflammation, pain
- Plica Syndrome – Plica is a tissue that connects the inside of the knee. Sometimes it can be injured or swollen, leading to pain.
2- Torn Meniscus
The meniscus is a disc-shaped structure that acts as a shock absorber in the knee joint. There are two joints in each knee, the medial meniscus (inner) and the lateral (outer). Menisci is at risk of injury from sudden arrival, twisting, falling, and discomfort.
Tears of the meniscus can also cause the knee to lock. When the meniscus ruptures, the torn part can penetrate the joint and block the way a loose body can also prevent movement.
What are the Treatments?
Here are treatments of a locked knee;
Knee Elastic Bandage
This will compress the knee joint and help control inflammation, which can cause pain and discomfort. You can find stretchable bandages at most grocery stores in the health and wellness department, or find them at your nearest pharmacy. If you have one, you can use a neoprene “brace” designed specifically for the knee joint instead of an elastic band.
Make sure you do not wrap the bandage too much. Be aware of the loss of rotation, and make sure you can place your finger between the bandage and the knee.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil and Motrin, also known as Ibuprofen, and Aleve, also known as Naproxen, help reduce inflammation and control pain. Follow the instructions on the package to find the right dose levels for you. You should only take these medicines as needed, as they can have serious side effects, such as the risk of bleeding or ulcerative colitis. Always read and follow the package instructions of any medicine before taking it.
Alternative Forms of Pain Management
Treatments such as acupuncture, cortisone injection, or electrotherapy are very effective in relieving pain in some patients. He can be very effective and help you feel better after an injury.
For example, if you are fighting persistent inflammation in your injury, electrotherapy may be a good option for pain management.
Stop Every Activity and Rest Your Knee
If you have injured a knee during a sports event or other activity, stop immediately and relax the knee joint. If you have a range of motion on your knee, ask someone to help you walk to a safe place to sit, and rest for as long as possible. Excessive movement can further damage the knee joint.
If you do not have knee movement, visit a doctor immediately or call a paramedic, as it may be a broken or broken knee, requiring immediate medical attention.
Use Ice
Placing ice on the knees will help reduce pain and the effects of inflammation. It is best to leave the ice open for 30 minutes at a time. You can put ice on a locked knee every 3 or 4 hours for 2-3 days after an injury.
Avoid using heat on the knee until your doctor tells you it is OK. Heat can cause local inflammation and increase inflammation, reducing your progress continuously.
If the pain recurs, you have arthritis, or you have had a knee injury before, replace the ice with heat to relax the muscles and joints after any swelling has subsided.
Elevate Your Knee Above Your Heart
Keeping the knee-high will help reduce inflammation and reduce knee use. You can do this by placing a few pillows under the heel and knees while you sleep. If you need to sit or feel comfortable that way, keep the knee-high in front of you by lifting it to a nearby chair or chair. Make sure your back and neck are well supported to avoid damaging other parts of your body.
Visit a Physical Therapist
The physiotherapist will be able to provide you with a set of stretches and tasks to complete at home that will help your knee to cool down.
After an injury, they will usually teach you how to make ropes first, exercise at home every day, and visit regularly to track your progress.
In some cases, you will need a doctor’s recommendation or a letter to see a physiotherapist.
Orthopedic Surgeon If You Have a Severe Injury
In severe cases, a closed knee will require surgery to relieve pain and restore movement in the knee joint. If you have chronic pain, your doctor will refer you to a surgeon to discuss additional treatment options.
When it comes to surgery, it is helpful to have more than one opinion. If you are unsure or confused after visiting a surgeon referred by your doctor, seek a second opinion from a different surgeon.
However, Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a robotic arm controlled by a surgeon to operate at a high level of accuracy in small, soft areas.
