Elastic bands can support patellar instability during repetitive activities.
Bending, twisting, kneeling, running and even standing, knees absorb a lifetime of abuse. Repetitive use of the knee joint can cause inflammation and tenderness to the surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments. Knee movements are a complicated connection of tissue, bone and cartilage working in unison. Poor muscle tone, injury and wear and tear can reduce the ability of the joint to support the weight of the hips. Without a support system, the knee buckles.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
If you injure your knee, apply ice for inflammation and kinesio tape for stability and healing.
Bending or extending the knee beyond its range of motion or injury to the side of the knee while the leg is twisted can cause the knee to give out or buckle. Attaching the femur to the tibia are ligaments. The cruciate ligaments connect these two bones with an X shaped ligament across the back and front of the knee. Repetitive movements can create stress and injure the ligament located behind the knee. These ligaments develop tiny tears to the tissue fibers surrounding the femur and the tibia, which weakens the tendons and tightens the quadriceps muscles of the thigh. Once this joint becomes unstable, it can buckle under any pressure, depending on the movement of the knee. Other symptoms of posterior cruciate ligament damage include mild to moderate pain in the knee and pain when walking up or down stairs, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Meniscus Tears
Seek medical attention for continued pain, inflammation or buckling.
The meniscus is made of tough but flexible cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the femur and the tibia. A sudden twist of the knee while walking, exercising or kneeling can cause this tearing. Once the meniscus is torn, each movement of the knee pulls on the muscles, tendons and ligaments attached to the joint. Continued stress to the supporting tissues allow the knee to pop or buckle as it moves out of its normal alignment. Weak quadriceps muscles and tendinitis may also develop because of small or large tears to the medial or lateral cartilage cushion. This combination of circumstances can lead to increased pain and knee buckling.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Damage to the ACL can cause knee buckling. Sudden impact sports cause common anterior cruciate ligament injuries. A popping sound is preceded by the knee buckling, followed by intense pain, swelling and an inability to stand on the knee. There are less common instances, though, when the ACL weakens from repetitive stress just as the posterior cruciate ligament. Micro tears develop from constant twisting and extension of the knee joint while standing on a factory assembly line, skiing, dancing or even working as a massage therapist.
Considerations
Tight and painful quadricep muscles can result from patellar tendinitis or instability.
A 2003 study by the Harvard Medical School reported 451,000 knee replacement procedures performed in the United States. Each year, the medical school notes, Americans make approximately 15 million trips to the doctor for knee pain. Exercises designed to strengthen and stretch the muscles supporting the joint may be all an individual needs to heal their knee pain. The knees and hips are the largest joints in the body and are responsible for supporting a person's weight. In order to relieve knee pain, tone leg and hip muscles and maintain a healthy weight. With just 10,000 steps a day, any individual can improve her health and joint strength.
