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The meniscus is a C-shaped pad of cartilage in the knee joint that acts as a shock absorber. A meniscus tear can hinder movement because the cartilage swells or shifts, preventing the joint from moving freely.

Knee locking can be an occasional, temporary occurrence or a chronic condition that leaves you unable to bend or straighten your knee for long periods of time. Knees are designed to bend up and down and even rotate slightly. If your knee can’t do these things, it can affect your mobility and your ability to sit, stand and kneel properly.

A locked knee occurs when your knee joint locks in place and can’t move, while a pseudo-locked knee occurs when it becomes difficult to move the knee because of pain.

Dr Vivek Kumar Parasurampuriya, Consultant Orthopedics, Primus Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi gives more information about this.

What causes locked knees

1 meniscus tear
The meniscus is a C-shaped pad of cartilage in the knee joint that acts as a shock absorber. A meniscus tear can hinder movement because the cartilage swells or shifts, preventing the joint from moving freely.

2 ligament damage
The knee cannot function without the strong bands of tissue or ligaments surrounding it. Sudden movement or movement of the knee joint away from its normal position can cause injury to the ligaments.

3 loose bone fragments
The knee joint consists of several bones that come together at the top of the shin bone and the bottom of the thigh bone to form a joint. Even the smallest crack or break in these bones can cause a loose piece of bone to move around the joint.

4 Arthritis
Arthritis is often the most common cause of knee locking, especially in older people. The knee joint is weight-bearing, so it is subject to a lot of wear and tear. Inflammation of this joint can impede proper movement of the knee.

This inflammation may develop after a previous knee fracture or a recurrent sports injury. Although moving the joint may cause pain, it is important to keep the knee moving as much as possible.

How to deal with the problem of locked knees

Relax and avoid stress– Do not put weight on the affected leg to avoid further damage.

Ice– Apply ice to the knee for 15-20 minutes every 1-2 hours to reduce pain and swelling.

Height– Elevate the knee above heart level to help reduce swelling.

Compression– Use an elastic bandage or knee brace to control swelling, making sure it is not too tight.

Gentle movement– If pain allows, try moving the knee gently to see if it can be opened. Avoid moving it aggressively.

Consult a doctor– If the knee remains locked, if you have severe pain, or if there is a lot of swelling, seek medical help. Possible causes include meniscus tears, ligament injuries, or loose bodies, which may require specific treatment or surgery.

When the knee locks up repeatedly or is so painful that movement becomes difficult, it is important to consult a doctor. The doctor will examine the joint, take the relevant medical history and, if necessary, may also perform imaging such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI.