My knee pops and is locking up when I walk and bend my legs. What should I do?

Question

Hello doctor,

My knee started aching about a month and a half ago. The problem occurs throughout the day or sometimes every other day. It feels like it is locking up and becomes unstable when I try to bend the leg. My knee pops when I walk and turn my foot outwards in the air. I have also noticed that my muscles are tensed, and I have trouble flexing my feet. So I have been deep massaging and stretching my knee and feet, which helps for a while. However, the locking sensation and flexion issues return after some time. It is also hard to locate exactly where the issue is.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to iclinic.com.

Thank you for your query.

I understand your concern. Your condition can be due to a meniscal injury which is usually caused by a twisting injury to the leg, which sometimes also goes unnoticed. I suggest you follow a few instructions mentioned below:

1. Avoid activities that cause pain.

2. Avoid squatting, kneeling, twisting, pivoting, jogging, aerobics, dancing, and playing sports till the knee pain and swelling subside.

3. Wear a hinged knee brace to support the knee joint throughout the day. You can remove it at night.

4. Apply ice packs twice daily for 15 minutes.

5. Perform an X-ray and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) if the pain does not subside in two weeks.

I hope this has helped you. Thank you.