Knee giving way

Posted , 4 users are following.

A few months ago, my able bodied , generally fit and well, 83 year old mother started getting some pain in the right knee. Then three weeks ago, her left knee (the other knee) then gave way in the supermarket. She was able to get up and continue on walking. She describes that the angle between her lower and upper legs was not normal due to the knee giving way…but said she was able to get up and continue walking. Then 5 days ago, the left knee again gave way in the house….but again she was able to just get up and continue walking.

She says there was not that much associated pain.

She has now booked herself in to see the doctor.

Should she avoid walking on the knee?

Also, is there any kind of knee support that might help her.

Also, are there any exercises that will help this?

Kind Regards.

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • Posted

    Should she avoid walking on the knee? - Until she sees a knee specialist (orthopedic surgeon), yes, as much as possible. Cane, crutches...better to get a walker and teach her to put her weight on the walker, not her knees.

    Also, is there any kind of knee support that might help her? Not until she sees the doc. There are many types of braces that address many different knee problems. It will be up to the doc to decide if she needs one. If so, she will get custom fitted with the appropriate brace. This is not a "grab one off the shelf" kind of situation.

    Also, are there any exercises that will help this? Not at this point. First, you need the definitive diagnosis. If it doesn't require surgery and can be corrected with PT, then a referral will be made and the PT specialist will know exactly which exercises will help.

    • Posted

      Everything CHICO_MA said. Doctor immediately. Get diagnosed. See specialist...it could be any number of causes, especially as she was able to get up both times and continue walking. Use a mobility support(walker best) especially for her safety.

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