There may also be a sensation that the joint frees up when moved a certain way.Ī pseudo locked knee can have many causes. This pain may be accompanied by a sensation that the knee is locking up or catching when moved. The primary symptom of a pseudo locked knee is pain that prevents movement of the knee. While a locked knee is primarily characterized by the inability to fully extend the leg, the condition can also be accompanied by swelling, a small bump that moves when touching the knee, and joint stiffness.

Foreign objects left in the body during past surgery can also act as loose bodies and cause joint locking.

A loose body may result from a knee fracture, or from an underlying condition, such as arthritis of the knee. When a loose body becomes wedged in the knee joint, it causes it to lock. The most common type of loose body is a detached fragment of bone. Torn cartilage in the knee can be caused by either a sudden physical trauma or gradual wear and tear on the joint.Ī true locked knee may also be caused by decreased blood supply to the knee, or by what's known as a 'loose body' in the knee joint. In addition, the knee may swell, make a popping sound, stiffen, and/or cause pain during standing, bending, or kneeling. Typically, once the cartilage has been torn or damaged, it gets stuck in the joint, making it difficult to move the knee. The most common cause of a locked knee is a tear in the cartilage that cushions the knee joint. A pseudo locked knee occurs when pain makes it difficult to move the knee joint. A true locked knee occurs when the knee joint is literally locked into place and cannot move. When a knee cannot be bent or straightened, it is called a locked knee.

When a knee is unable to perform those functions, it impacts mobility and the ability to complete daily living activities, such as sitting, standing, squatting, or kneeling. Knees are designed to bend up and down, and to rotate slightly. In addition, two C-shaped pieces of cartilage-the medial and lateral menisci-provide a cushion between the femur and tibia, acting, in effect, as shock absorbers. Tendons connect these bones to the leg muscles, while ligaments connect the knee bones to each other and make the knee stable. It connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia), and also includes a smaller bone, the fibula, which is located next to the tibia, and the knee cap (patella). The knee is one of the most complex joints in the human body.

I get on my knees, i get on my knees