Do your knees sometimes give out suddenly when you’re standing or walking? This symptom can be debilitating, especially when accompanied by discomfort and knee pain. Knee buckling is typically associated with weakness and instability around the knee; however, the specific cause can vary. Identifying the root cause behind your knee buckling can help you find a solution that works. Getting a better understanding of the reasons why you might experience knee buckling can be a crucial step toward lasting recovery.
Top causes of knee buckling
- Weak muscles — Knee buckling happens when your knee is not able to support the rest of your body. If your leg muscles are not strong enough to hold up your weight, then you may experience buckling. Knee buckling can cause you to stumble and fall as you walk. This can in turn increase your risk of injury. Muscle weakness can also contribute to tension, pain and other symptoms. To address muscle weakness, the first step is finding out which muscles need to be developed. The quadriceps and hamstrings are some muscles that often play a role in knee buckling. Building strength in other leg muscles like the calves can also be beneficial. Physical therapy is a great option to strengthen weak muscles. Your physical therapist can work with you to design a personalized exercise routine. By following this routine, you can address weaknesses and improve your knee’s stability.
- Major leg injury — If you’ve recently sustained a leg injury — for example, due to a motor vehicle accident or a sports injury — your injury could be causing your knee to buckle. As you recover, you may experience lingering effects like discomfort, stiffness and knee buckling. Knee buckling is especially common after injuries such as ACL and meniscus tears. Athletes are often at a particularly high risk for this kind of injury.
- ACL tear — An ACL tear is a ligament injury affecting the ligament behind the knee. This strong band of tissue serves to connect the thighbone and shinbone, stabilizing the knee between those two regions. When the ACL is torn, immediate effects include severe pain and swelling. As you rest and recover, you will likely notice a lack of flexibility in your leg. You may not be able to fully bend or extend your knee. You may also feel the need to limp when walking, as your knee will likely not support your weight. If you have recently torn your ACL, professional intervention can offer significant benefits. Your physical therapist can help you regain strength and accelerate healing. Targeted stretches are one great way to build back flexibility while also promoting blood flow. Other treatments such as hands-on manual therapy can also be highly beneficial.
- Meniscus tear — The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that serves to cushion the knee and lower leg. When the meniscus is stretched too far or torn, it can lead to knee buckling. Common symptoms of a meniscus tear include persistent pain, instability and stiffness. You may notice that your leg is unable to extend all the way at the knee joint. Physical therapy can offer a range of effective treatments designed to help you make a rapid and complete recovery. In addition to stretches and manual therapy, specialized techniques like cupping therapy can provide major benefits. Cupping is a treatment that uses suction to promote blood flow. Increased blood flow allows for more nutrients to reach injured tissue, which can lead to reduced inflammation and faster healing.
- Patellar instability — The kneecap, sometimes called the patella, plays a crucial role in the knee’s functionality. In addition to keeping the rest of your knee protected, the patella serves as a lever that empowers the quadriceps muscles. Keeping the patella safe and healthy is important. When dysfunction occurs around the kneecap, it can lead to issues in the rest of the knee. Patellar instability is a condition where the kneecap slips out of its normal position. If your kneecap is dislocated, your knee might buckle while in motion. You may also notice a locking sensation, as if your knee is stuck in one position. Other symptoms can include stiffness, swelling and chronic pain. Your physical therapist can help address your patellar instability in a variety of ways. One of the biggest benefits of PT is pain management. As you work toward lasting recovery, your physical therapist can provide a range of treatments designed to alleviate your discomfort. This can substantially improve your quality of life until you restore your knee’s full functionality.
- Tendon injury — Tendons are dense cords of tissue that keep all the parts of your body interconnected. They generally serve as tethers between muscles and bones. When overworked, tendons can become irritated. Tendon irritation or inflammation is also called tendinitis. In addition to being irritated, tendons can also sustain more serious injuries, such as tears. These can occur in any tendons throughout the body, including the tendons connected to the knee. The patellar tendon is a tendon that runs from the kneecap to the shinbone. When this tendon is torn, it can affect the knee’s overall stability. After a tendon injury, rest is essential. Physical therapy treatments can help you address your symptoms and find the best path toward recovery. Your physical therapist can work with you to alleviate symptoms like knee buckling and radiating pain.
- Arthritis — Arthritis is a condition that involves joint inflammation. There are many specific types of arthritis, many of which can lead to knee instability and buckling. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the bones. It causes tissue breakdown in the joints, which can lead to symptoms such as stiffness and pain in areas like the knee joint. If osteoarthritis is causing instability in your knee, physical therapy can help. PT can also help you manage the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune condition. After a comprehensive evaluation, your physical therapist will develop a treatment plan tailored to your particular needs and wellness goals.
- Nerve condition — Are you experiencing numbness or tingling around your knee? The cause could be a nerve-related condition. When nerve damage occurs outside of the central nervous system, it is called peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy in the leg can affect your control over your leg muscles. You may also experience a loss of sensation or persistent unpleasant sensations in the leg. Nerve damage around the knee often comes with a tingling or burning pain. In addition, you may experience muscle weakness and knee buckling. Your physical therapist can help by identifying and addressing the root cause of your nerve condition.
Why does my knee buckle when I walk?
All in all, there are plenty of reasons why your knee might buckle when you walk. From ligament damage to arthritis, many of the causes behind knee buckling are serious. If your knee is buckling, acting quickly is important. Physical therapy can help you start addressing any knee issues before they get worse.
Get help with knee issues at Whatcom Physical Therapy
If you’re experiencing knee buckling when you walk, Whatcom Physical Therapy can help. With a range of innovative and effective treatment options available, we are here to make your rehabilitation a success.
Call us or request an appointment today to start addressing your knee health.
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