Knee locking

Posted , 2 users are following.

hi everyone, quick history on what's happened, my knee used to lock when I was a child, normally from play fighting then it progressed into me twisting or turning the wrong way. Always used to get family to pop it back out after lots of tears from the pain. Then it started happening very rare maybe once a year as I turned into my teens n still always popped it out. Last 2 times it's happened, I was laid watching a film with a friend and I got up off the bed I felt it go but it made me faint with the pain, something felt different but still tears later and it went away. Now sadly it happened 2 months ago with me aged 25. Tripped at work up the stairs ( I'm a hairstylist ) and landed on my knee, I knew straight away i knew it was locked so I tried to raighten my leg soon as I got up n I knew something was different this time. The pain that shot through me was awful and very nearly passed out in front of a salon full of people. Not my proudest moment I can tell u! 20 mins later after telling my client that she would still be having her hair cut, I could still not sort my leg out n ended up having to hop into a taxi in floods of tears for them to fix it. Basically at a and e they refused and said legs are never unlocked it can't be done but all they can do is x Ray it and put a bandage on. X-ray was excruciating as my leg was still locked and of course as anyone who's had there leg locked would know, nothing showed up on the X-ray.i was sent home and told it would sort it's self out but to come back and have a removable brace fitted the next day. One tearful night passed and I go see my consultant to be told that he was unlocking it and didn't understand why it wasn't done the day before as it's harder to get out the longer it's locked. Soon as it unlocked relief was instant but still felt locked like it needed to go again. Doctor refused and said if it's still not right then something else is wrong. And that's how I've stayed since. 3 days off then back to work feeling like a pensioner as my hip was compensating all the time ad I couldn't put pressure on my leg or foot still. Mri scan has now been done but not sure on results as I could hardly get my knee in the frame as it wouldn't straighten.  Iv cut my hours in half at work as I realised I'm not super woman and it's gotten better for sure and I now can put pressure on my leg but will not straighten. It's been 2 months now and results are tomorrow. Been reading these forums and I'm worried what will be said. I'm praying I just need physio because of the time period yo recover and my job. Also weighed up the effects of complications of surgery and seems a lot are against me. Looked at exercises to improve it and it's working so fingers crossed for tomorrow! Just feel it's no life for any one let a lone a 25 year old. The fear of it going again or something happening a to my other leg is frightening.  Any advice, help or your experiances will be appreciated a lot. smile 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Have them check for PVNS..sounds like my symptoms as a child.
  • Posted

    I'd never even heard of this until you just mentioned it. Thankyou I'll be sure to mention it. Would make sense see as it happend more as a child. 
  • Posted

    Fortunately you have seen a professional at the outset. Do you have any obvious bleeding under the skin. (Skin, tissues looking purple and mottled. I too have PVNS but it didn't surface  till my mid 60's and now is rather unforgiving. It may be a ligament problem and retraining it through proper therapy might work. You are very young and youth can offset a lot of problems when it comes soft tissue. Good luck and keep us advised
  • Posted

    No nothing there at all, only would know something's wrong if I told u or if you saw it after a day at work with the swelling. I regret not been take straight to hospital as a child but guess my mum never thought it was so serious. Yeh I'll message soon as I know what's happenening 
  • Posted

    Results came today n not what I expected. Showed me my results and even I could see it. I don't know all the medical terms so bare with me, she said on either side of the knee there's 2 triangles, a tear is normally where the triangle rips and then either gets removed or put back together. She said mine has ripped off all together and lodged its self under the other triangle and that's why I can no longer straighten my knee. She was shocked that I've lasted so long on it. Now she said its not so straight forward n need to get a specialist surgeon to do it as there docs can't do it, this terrified mr. But what's more is she said its already been too long n they need it doing ASAP n haven't time to do it normally so I must have a consultation via phone with my surgeon and then he's cancelling a patient and having me in ASAP. My mind is in over drive. I didn't want the surgery but seems I have no option. I have know idea as to how the surgery will be or anything p. It all feels like a nightmare. I'm normally the one who dramatizes things but it was the doc who said u need to realise this needs to be done. Apparently I will need longer then normal off work too. Has anyone had this before? I just need some normal people's advice rather then a docs who knows about this. I really am worried as I live on my own with no family to help so don't know how on earth I can manage after this let alone my bills be paid. Any experiance or help on this will be much appreciated. Also checked about the pvns and they seem to think it unlikely but said once the operate they will know more x

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