When contemplating weak knees symptoms, remember that pain severity and location differ. Therefore, below are some common weak knee symptoms:
- Knee swelling and stiffness
- Redness
- A scorching feeling
- Weakness and instability
- Sound of popping when bending the joint and inability to straighten the knee
- Trouble standing from a sitting position
Causes of Knee Weakness
Following are the few causes of weak knees:
Arthritis
Due to joint inflammation and degradation, arthritis weakens the knees. Osteoarthritis, where bone-and cartilage wears down, is the most prevalent knee condition. As cartilage deteriorates, bones may contact, causing discomfort, stiffness, and knee weakness. The inflammatory component of arthritis worsens the pain and reduces joint function. The knee joint’s structural weakness makes it difficult to bear weight and perform daily activities, stressing the significance of arthritis in knee weakness’s development and progression.
Damaged Ligaments
Your knee is crucial to connecting your upper and lower legs. Strong ligaments stabilize it. The MCL and LCL on the sides of your knee keep you from moving too much from side to side. The LCL is on the outside, and the MCL is inside. The ACL and PCL come next. The ACL is in the middle of your knee and controls how you move forward. The PCL, on the other hand, is in the back of your lower leg bone and controls how you move backward. Tearing these ligaments might make your knee unstable.
Meniscal Tears
Young athletes frequently rip menisci. Adult arthritis sufferers often have them. As we age, cartilage breaks down and tears more easily. Meniscus problems can cause weak knees problems and hurt the knee.
Kneecap Problems
Subluxation or Dislocation of the Patella: The patella tends to slide smoothly in a groove. Dislocation from a direct hit can cause significant instability. Dislocation means fully out of place, while subluxation means partially.
Weak Quads
The quadriceps stabilize the knee and may absorb shock to its interior components. Quadriceps strength depends on load-bearing rates. Quadriceps help knees avoid injury. These muscles cushion and slow leg action when walking. The knee joint is protected from abrupt loads that could damage internal tissues. Quadriceps strengthening prevents knee discomfort, cartilage loss, and tibiofemoral joint constriction. Studies reveal that quadriceps weakness and osteoarthritis diagnosis are linked to knee instability and weakness. It also degrades surrounding structures’ physical functionality.
Osteoarthritis is commonly blamed for quadriceps weakness; however, it is not the main cause. Knee and hip injuries, Lyme illness, and poliomyelitis are examples. Quadriceps weakness may also be caused by atherogenic muscular inhibition. This syndrome involves neural inhibition of muscles that prevents full activation.
Overuse Damage
Athletes and fitness professionals often suffer knee weakness from overuse injuries. Repeated knee microtraumas can induce aberrant joint alignment. People who train poorly and don’t let their tissues heal often get them. Due to its many attachment points to tendons and muscles, knee overuse injuries impact the knee joint and surrounding tissues. Due to acute damage or intensive exercise, ligaments might break without enough time to mend, producing knee weakness. The knees’ functionality and stability change due to ligament weakening. MRI can study sprains, internal derangements, and limited range of motion.
Diagnosis of Knee Weakness
If you have any of the above symptoms, see a knee pain doctor in Dallas to evaluate your knee problem and determine a treatment plan. Many people “self-diagnose” their disease, but only a doctor can establish the cause and therapy. Remember that acute knee weakness may imply neurological causes. If your knee weakness persists, see a doctor.
Weak Knee Treatment
Weak knee treatment requires identifying the cause. Reducing knee pain, stiffness, and impairment and improving physical functions are common therapeutic goals.
Weight Loss
Weight loss is the safest and easiest treatment for knee weakness. For overweight and obese people, reaching their BMI is encouraged. It will alleviate knee instability and prevent hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Studies also reveal that overweight people are more likely to be diagnosed with knee-paining osteoarthritis. As someone adds weight, their knees experience 3 to 6 times more force. The knee structures deteriorate faster, and the supporting structures become dysfunctional.
Strength-Training
Quadriceps muscles cushion the knee and are vital to osteoarthritis treatment. Strengthening workouts aid. Experts worldwide recommend strengthening activities to treat knee weakness and prevent re-injury.
Physical Therapy
Regular physical treatment can lessen knee weakness and pain and enhance quadriceps strength and range of motion. Those with mild discomfort and knee weakness may benefit most from this. The physiotherapist may suggest home exercises with the correct footwear. They may assess the patient’s posture and encourage them to improve it to reduce knee strain.
RICE
It is abbreviated as RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice Compression, and Elevation of the Knee. This is advised for knee and lower extremity injuries. Complete rests are needed to heal the knee joint and supporting tissues after knee injuries. Ice therapy also reduces inflammation and swelling. Raise the knee over the heart to reduce swelling and discomfort and make healing easier.
When to Wear Knee Braces for Weakness?
It depends on your scenario. A brace should only be used temporarily after surgery or an injury. Knee braces only disguise the problem of weak knees, not fix it. Knee braces can occasionally be harmful. Wearing it incorrectly or at the wrong time can injure the knee. Consult pain management in Dallas or a physical therapist before wearing a knee brace.
