Knee keeps 'collapsing'

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hello, could anyone offer any advice regarding a problem I've been experiencing lately?

Over the last 4 weeks my right knee has been randomly 'buckling' whilst walking - perhaps once or twice a day. When it gives way I have to consciously engage my muscles to keep myself upright. There's absolutely no pain or feeling of instability. I saw a GP and he seemed to think there was nothing wrong and gave me a few excersises to do. I've been doing these however it's still happening.

I don't recall injuring my leg in the past. Perhaps two months ago I was out on a hike and remember stepping down from a ledge and feeling I may have strained one of my knees ( can't remember which ) although it hardly hurt and was able to carry on walking the whole day. Then perhaps a month ago I had a random experience where I was walking along and one of my knees (can't remember which ) randomly began to hurt quite a lot. I had to sit down for 10 mins before I could carry on walking then I was absolutely fine again.

Does anyone think I have anything to worry about? I've been quite inactive lately perhaps my muscles are just quite weak but if that was the case surely both my knees would be playing up? Perhaps I'm just being a hypercondriact I spoke to my friend and he says his knee does the same from time to time.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks !

2

Hi, I don't think you're a hypochondriac, a buckling knee is not fun and makes you feel insecure about walking, but if the doc hasn't found anything and you are not in major pain it's best to try not to worry about. Do the exercises you were given religiously and then if the situation doesn't improve after a couple of months, make sure you go back (I'm terrible for that I let the docs give me the brush off and got no treatment/x-Rays or anything til my knees were so bad they just had to put me straight in for tkr, but that was 15 years after the buckling!).

3

It could be that your quads are a little week, If you can do it try leg curls; sitting with leg 45degrees with a weight on your foot, and lift, start out at a light/comfortable weight and gradually work up to heavier weights.  To some it is an age thing (poppycock).  If that is the case, you then stop walking, cycling exercising etc and then your muscles will definitely atrophy. Some pools do exercise classes in the water.

4

Thanks for the help.. I'm only 24 so can't imagine it's cartilage problems or arthritis. I think I'll just try get my quads much stronger and hopefully it'll stop. It is very random how it's recently started happening!