| Lock, Pop, grind and no it's not a dance move | | | | caused by rheumatoid arthritis which rarely occurs in |
| Knee problems associated with locking, grinding, and | | | | individuals under 50. The degeneration caused by |
| popping | | | | rheumatoid arthritis is irreversible. Patella tendonitis |
| Since u are not a firecracker or a soda can you can | | | | (runner's knee) can also cause degeneration of |
| be forgiven to think that popping sounds in the knee | | | | cartilage and thus the pain and grinding sound. |
| is an indication that something is wrong. The truth | | | | Runner's knee is the most likely cause of the grinding |
| though is that popping sounds occurs naturally when | | | | sound in the knees of young individuals particularly |
| movement occurs in the joints. A slight misalignment | | | | athletes. Fortunately in this case the degeneration is |
| in the knee cap (Patella) or the movement of | | | | reversible, as resting the knee and doing exercises |
| different ligaments across the joint can give a | | | | that strengthen the quadriceps muscles will see the |
| popping sound. If it is a case however where this | | | | knee return to normal over time. |
| sounds is accompanied by pain then one has reason | | | | Locking |
| for concern. Grinding and locking are better indicators | | | | You may find yourself playing a game of basketball |
| of a physiological disorder in the knee, but the pain | | | | and suddenly being unable to flex a leg or you may |
| factor is also very important in these cases. | | | | be kneeling then find that you are unable to |
| Popping | | | | straighten your leg to get up; when this happens you |
| As stated earlier unless accompanied by pain then a | | | | are experiencing a phenomenon known as locking |
| popping sound is perfectly normal, however if there | | | | which can be quite painful. There are generally two |
| is pain then it is often an indication that the anterior | | | | type of locking, pseudo-locking and true locking. |
| cruciate ligament (ACL) has been torn. ACL maybe | | | | Pseudo locking is a reaction to pain and functions like |
| torn in two pieces or there might just be a partial rip, | | | | a kill switch where the knee locks into position when |
| the extent of damage will determine treatment | | | | tension in the area becomes excessive. True locking |
| implemented. If ACL is ripped apart then surgery | | | | results from physiological problems in the knee, |
| followed by rehab will be necessary, however for | | | | causing the knee become rigid, unable to bend or |
| partial tears one just need to stay away from | | | | extend. True locking usually occurs when torn |
| physical activities for awhile as the injury will self heal. | | | | cartilage or bone fragment (resulting from a bone |
| A popping sound in conjunction with pain may also be | | | | disorder known as Osteochondritis Dissecans) |
| an indication of another condition known as Discoid | | | | becomes jammed between joints surfaces restricting |
| Lateral Meniscus or "popping-knee syndrome". This | | | | movement of the knee joint. When a muscle on the |
| occurs when there is an abnormal shaped meniscus in | | | | inside of the thigh becomes weak and fragile or the |
| the knee joint. This can usually be treated by | | | | outer muscles tighten they can throw off alignment |
| conservative methods such as stretching, however if | | | | of the knee cap, which also lead to locking. |
| pain persist arthroscopic surgery though optional | | | | Locking can easily be corrected by resting as |
| might be required. | | | | movement will eventually return to joints. In the case |
| Grinding | | | | of true locking the problem can only be completely |
| When cartilage degeneration occur the bones of the | | | | nullified by orthopaedic surgery to remove loose bone |
| knee joint tends to grind together causing immense | | | | or cartilage. |
| pain and producing a grinding sound. This is usually | | | | |