Knee instability is often caused by ligament damage from athletic activity, especially twisting movements. The severity of instability depends on the extent of ligament damage, and other conditions like weak muscles or patellofemoral dysfunction can also cause knee issues. Accurate diagnosis is important for proper treatment.
In most cases, knee instability is caused by damage to one of the ligaments in the joint. These ligaments hold the knee in place, but can often be injured during athletic activity. Ligaments are especially prone to injury during twisting movements. If the knee gives out regularly, this may not be a sign of true knee instability, even though the symptoms may look similar. Instead, this can be caused by issues including patellofemoral dysfunction, weak quadriceps muscles, and a decreased range of motion.
The most common cause of knee instability is damage to one of the ligaments. The knee ligaments help hold the knee in place; if one is damaged, it causes the forces in the joint to become out of balance. This can lead to a feeling of instability. Knee ligament injuries often occur during athletic activities, especially those that require twisting movements or high-speed changes of direction. A severe ligament sprain in the knee is a painful injury, although minor sprains are more common.
Three ligaments that are commonly injured are the anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, and medial collateral ligaments, more commonly known as the ACL, PCL, and MCL, respectively. The amount of knee instability depends on the severity of the injury. A complete rupture of a ligament can initially result in significant instability, but the joint is often protected by large amounts of swelling. Ligament sprains are graded from one to three, with a grade one sprain being the least severe and grade three sprains usually requiring surgery.
Even if a patient suffers from a giving knee, this may not be a sign of true knee instability. When a knee is unstable, it will open or subluxate during activity, which means that the kneecap does not follow its groove properly. If a knee gives way, this can be a sign of another condition and isn’t always the result of instability. It is important for a doctor to diagnose the problem accurately so that the correct treatment can be prescribed.
A variety of issues can cause knee instability during weight-bearing activities. Patellofemoral dysfunction, an umbrella term to describe conditions that affect the way the kneecap moves, is a common cause. Weak quadriceps muscles or an inability to achieve full range of motion in the joint can also have the same result. Treatment for these conditions depends on the underlying problem and whether it is an acute or chronic problem.
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