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Ligaments (I think) keep popping out of my knee and my knee locks until I push them back in. What is this?

Posted , 7 users are following.

carlyau
carlyau

Today as I was getting into my car I felt a massive pop in my knee and suddenly couldn't bend it.  A large lump had appeared about 2cm inwards from my knee cap.  After 10 or so minutes I tried to bend my knee and pushed the lump towards my kneecap.  Whatever it was (ligament etc) went back into place and my knee was back to normal.  The only problem now is that it keeps popping out while I'm walking and my knee feels a bit unstable. I have attached two pictures, one shows the lump, the other shows my knee after I've pushed it back in.  Any ideas on what this could be?

2 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 carlyau

    Posted

    When your knee pops, do you actually fall down?

    This sounds like a dislocation to me.

    Both my knee caps used to dislocate, but then I always fell down.

    Sometimes I was able to put them back myself.

    I have now had one patella removed and one knee replacement, so no more trouble that way.

    I think you need to see an orthopaedic consultant to find out what is going on here.

    Good luck. Take care and keep in touch.

    Sarah

  • carlyau
    carlyau

    Posted

    Thanks for your reply, Sarah.

    I havent fallen over (yet!).  My knee locks so that I am unable to bend it.  So far I have been able to push the 'lump' back towards my kneecap and then my normal range of movement is restored.  My actual kneecap doesn't appear to be out of place while this is happening.  

    I will definitely be going to the doctor.

    Carly

  • Trants08
    Trants08 carlyau

    Posted

    Hi Carlyau, have you injured your knee atall by exercise, playing sport? It may be your ACL liagament as that 'pops" when it snaps. Ive nown people who have snapped there ACL and have not realised and carried on for a few years and then have had it checked out and found out its there ACL and have had surgery. I currently have a tear in my Meniscus (cartaliage) and have damaged some of my ACL, that was in January playing Netball and it still hasent healed 100%, the tear will never heel as were the tear is as not all of it has a blood supply. Get your knee checked out asap just to be on the safe side, hope fully your GP will refer you to a Orthapedic consultant, (takes a while -typical NHS, i had to wait 3 months for a MRI. Best of luck, let me now what happens
    • carlyau
      carlyau Trants08

      Posted

      Thanks for your response.

      I haven't injured that knee before but when I was a teenager I had osteochondritis dissecans in the other knee and had surgery to remove a couple of fragments in my knee.  

      Interesting that you can damage ligaments without experiencing much pain, mine only hurts while its popped out.  And pushing the lump back in is fairly uncomfortable.

      I will definitely get it checked asap as I can't really walk too far before it pops out.  If I walk in a straight line it's ok, it pops out mainly if I'm turning or changing direction.

       

  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 carlyau

    Posted

    This would be a case where an orthopedic surgeon Should be your 1st stop. Get the proper tests so it can correctly be diagnosed. It sounds like something that could be treated by physical therapy, tightening up the soft tissue in the leg. Unless there is a tremendous amt of pain that just won't go away I wouldnt expect to find anything torn or heavily damaged. In the meantime I wouldnt keep using it any more than absolutely necessary so you don't do more damage
    • carlyau
      carlyau Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      thanks for your reply.

      I will definitely be paying the doctor a visit!

    • larry43899
      larry43899 carlyau

      Posted

      My mate has the exact same thing.he has just had an MRI scan so is waiting for the results.

      His GP said he'd never seen it before but that they'd get to the bottom of it.

      My mate also has a bakers cyst in the same knee

      The lump that pops out goes back in on its own????

    • carlyau
      carlyau larry43899

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply!

      I have to push to lump back towards my knee cap, then it goes back into place.  It definitely doesn't go by itself.

      Please let me know what your friends results are (if that's ok), maybe we have the same thing.

      Im off to the doctor tomorrow so will keep you guys posted as to what it is.

      thanks, Carly

    • larry43899
      larry43899 carlyau

      Posted

      Yes I'll let you know what he finds out.

      He's a very fit bloke otherwise and cycles a lot plus he's a postie which obviously involves a lot of walking.

      The doctor asked him if he'd ever damaged his hamstrings but he hasn't.

      Let me know how you get on at your doctors please

      Larry

    • larry43899
      larry43899 carlyau

      Posted

      I remembered before that when his knee pops the medial muscle twangs.

      Does yours do that??

    • carlyau
      carlyau larry43899

      Posted

      Not really.  When it pops out its the same kind of sensation as standing on a sharp rock in bare feet - except in the actual knee joint.  And then I can't stand on it or bend it until I push the lump back in.
    • larry43899
      larry43899 carlyau

      Posted

      I don't think my mate is in as much pain as you are.
    • carlyau
      carlyau larry43899

      Posted

      I was wondering if your friend had recieved his MRI results back yet?

      So far I've had XRays and an ultra sound, and I have an MRI tomorrow.  At this stage all they have seen is one or two loose bodies behind the patella and some fluid.  It doesnt explain the weird lump though, and the two GPs I have seen have both said my patella is dislocating (I don't agree with this).  I have been referred to an orthopaedic surgeon, my appointment is on Monday.  Apparently he might put me in some kind of leg brace.

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 carlyau

      Posted

      X rays show bone and MRI shows soft tissue. When they can't fully evaluate with the former they need the later for correct diagnosis and plan of treatment. Try not to think too far ahead and just let it come to you. I know its difficult not to be concerned but adding the angish an frustration to your life just makes it harder. Fluid can easily be drained and the specialists will be able to determine the best course of action. In the meantime just try to rest the leg and use some ice and anti inflammatory meds ( if you don't have problems taking that sort of thing) to get some relief.

    • carlyau
      carlyau

      Posted

      Well, problem solved.  I have a 2cm long osteochondral fragment behind my knee cap.  The lump that appears on the side of my knee, is that piece moving around.  There is some damage to the surface that the fragment came from.

      i am having surgery on Friday to remove the fragment and repair the the damaged areas.  

      Thanks for for taking the time to write to me everyone, I appreciate it.

      Carly

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