It can be painful and dangerous if it leads to a fall. Health experts say knee buckling is a common problem that can be treated before it turns serious.
Neal Trottier, a physical therapist with Lee Memorial Health System, says arthritis, weakness, and even damaged nerves can cause your knees to buckle. “Buckling knees is basically when you’re unable to support the knee.”
But Trottier says the problem may not be caused by the knee. “It could be a neurological problem where a nerve could be pinched somewhere in the lumbar spine.” Depending on the cause, Trottier says the treatments can vary from weight baring exercises to non-weight baring exercises. “When you have neurological issues from the back the treatment would be totally different than a treatment for arthritis in the knee.”
When a knee buckles it will suddenly give out. The patient may or may not feel it happen but if it’s caused by arthritis or weakness Trottier says the patient could have a cartilage or ligament issue that needs to be examined. “The fact that they may fall is a concern. You can have other soft tissue injuries from falling, fractured bones; you can hit your head,” said Trottier.
After physical therapists determine the cause they will work on the patient’s balance, flexibility, and strength. They will also focus on strengthening the quad muscles which can help prevent the knee from buckling.
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Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.
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