Articular cartilage is the thin tissue that protects and covers the edges of the shin bones that make up your knee. Two C-shaped pieces of meniscus between your bones act as “coil springs” to stiffen your knee joint. But if the cartilage wears away completely, it will rub bone against bone.
To compensate for the loss of cartilage, the dented bones may begin to stretch outward, forming painful bumps. The pain sensation can range from throbbing discomfort to a sharp tingling in the front of the knee.
Activities such as running, jumping, and long periods of sitting with the knee bent can aggravate the condition.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may advise you to undergo an elective surgery such as arthroscopy, osteotomy, or joint replacement.
6 symptoms of knee weakness that require immediate medical attention
severe pain
Joint pain can be severe, lasting a few days, or chronic, lasting for months or even years.
The pain can be felt in just one joint (as in trauma or osteoarthritis) or in several joints (for example, in rheumatoid arthritis). The pain is usually limited to the affected joint or joints, but it can also be triggered by a hip injury.
Joint stiffness
Knees swell when excess fluid builds up inside the knee as a result of an injury, overload, or a chronic history. This can contribute to pain as well as muscle spasms. In some cases, the swelling can be mild, so you may not notice it unless you have had a traumatic injury. Since the inflammation may not be noticeable, you may have a stiff knee.
The crackling sound in the knee
Hearing a crackling sound when you first get up after relaxing for a short time is an indication of weak knees. Your knee feels unstable, as if it could deform or break easily. In addition, if your knee freezes or becomes stuck frequently, it’s time to see a surgeon for a check-up.
muscle weakness
If you are not ready for proper physical exercise on a regular basis, your muscles will begin to deteriorate without any symptoms.
The most important muscles responsible for knee longevity are the quadriceps, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius.
When these muscles are compromised, it can lead to conditions such as a weaker knee joint, which can lead to knee weakness and sprains.
You cannot straighten your knee
Being unable to straighten your knee can be painful. Several variables contribute to the condition, but arthritis is the most common. People who put a stressful load on their knees in their teenage years, such as marathoners and other active athletes, are more likely to develop the condition relatively soon.
Ligament tear
If the patient has had both anterior and posterior cruciate ligament tears in the past, he may experience knee weakness if the damaged knee ligaments are not allowed to fully recover.
Fragile ligaments affect the durability of the knee. Of course, weak knees can indicate a new injury, but you can’t be sure unless you’ve been examined by a doctor.