What causes a locked knee?
When we talk of a 'locked knee' it is implied that the knee was fine, but something has suddenly gone wrong and it can no longer fully flex and extend.
This is usually due to something becoming stuck in the joint between the femur and tibia, such as a bit of torn knee meniscus or a loose fragment of joint cartilage.
Peer-reviewed paperQuote from peer-reviewed paper:
"...Locked knee is an orthopaedic condition requiring urgent treatment....the cause of the mechanical obstruction may only be apparent during arthroscopic examination of the knee joint...."
Citation: Mohd Miswan MF, Latiff Alsagoff S, Muhamad Effendi F, Ibrahim MI. The unusual traumatic locked young knee. Malays Fam Physician. 2019 Aug 31;14(2):26-28. PMID: 31827732; PMCID: PMC6818690.
Is knee locking permanent?
A locked knee should be managed as soon as possible by an experienced practitioner, who may be able to manipulate the knee to relieve the obstruction, and the patient should regain full range of motion.
If manipulation fails arthroscopic surgery may be needed.
The longer the period before unlocking, the greater the damage may become, and eventually may result in loss of meniscus tissue or damage to the joint cartilage.
Forum discussions
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