Have you ever felt like your knee is “stuck”? You try to bend or straighten it, but it won’t move. It may even cause sharp pain when you try. If this sounds familiar, you could be dealing with locked knees. This condition occurs when your knee can’t fully bend or straighten. It can leave you feeling immobile or restricted, making everyday movements difficult.
Most patients are advised to have surgery to open up their knee joints, but it can cause several complications. ANF Therapy®️ offers a non-surgical treatment for locked knees. It is an effective and non-invasive way to treat your locked knees without surgery. This therapy uses frequencies to heal your body naturally.
This blog will discuss why your knees lock up and how to treat locked knees without surgery.
What are locked knees?
A locked knee happens when you cannot move your knee properly. There are two types of locked knees:
- True locked knees: This occurs when something physically blocks your knee joint. You cannot move the knee at all until the blockage is fixed.
- Pseudo-locked knees: This is when pain or swelling makes it hard to move the knee. There is no physical blockage, but it feels stuck due to pain.
What causes knees to lock up?
Locked knees can be caused by different factors depending on the type.
Causes of pseudo-locked knees
Pseudo-locked knees may occur due to:
- Pain and inflammation
Pain from a knee injury or inflammation (swelling) in the knee joints or muscles. This is often caused by injury or osteoarthritis and can lead to the sensation of a locked knee.
- Plica syndrome
In plica syndrome, the tissue within the knee joint becomes swollen. This disrupts the knee’s movement and causes pain.
- Patellar maltracking
When the patella (kneecap) doesn’t move correctly, it can cause the knee to feel like it’s locking.
Causes of true locked knees
There are several causes of true locked knees, including:
- Meniscal tear
The meniscus is a cushion in the knee. If it tears, a piece can get stuck between the bones, stopping your knee from moving.
- Loose bodies in the knee
Small bits of bone or cartilage can sometimes break off and float in the knee. These loose fragments can get caught, causing the knee to lock.
- Patella dislocation
The knee can feel stuck or locked when the kneecap (patella) moves out of place.
- Knee joint inflammation
Conditions like arthritis or infections can cause knee swelling, which can lock them.
- Ligament damage
Damage to ligaments, such as the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), can lead to instability in the knee, causing it to lock. This often occurs from sports injuries or trauma.
What are the symptoms of locked knees?
The symptoms of locked knees may vary based on the cause. The main symptom of a pseudo-locked knee is pain. Plus, you might experience:
- A brief locking sensation
- A catching feeling in the knee
- A sense of looseness or instability
But in the case of true locked knees, you’ll be completely unable to move your knee. In addition, you might also experience:
- Chronic stiffness
- A popping or clicking sensation
- A noticeable bump if there is a loose body
- Sporadic pain and swelling
Treatment of locked knees without Surgery:
Treatment of locked knees with ANF Therapy®️:
Your ANF Therapists will take a detailed history regarding your disease and do your physical examination to pinpoint the exact source of pain. Treatment of locked knees with ANF Therapy®️ involves the following steps:
History:
During history, your ANF Therapists will ask you about your current symptoms, previous treatment or surgeries, any injury to your knee joint, and physical activity.
Physical examination:
If your knee is locked, your ANF Therapists will examine it to pinpoint the cause. Here’s what you can expect:
1. Inspection:
Your ANF Orthopedic practitioner will first look at both knees to see if there’s swelling, redness, or any visible differences between them. They may also feel warmth, which could indicate inflammation.
2. Range of motion
Next, your ANF Therapists will ask you to bend and straighten your knee as far as possible. They also move your knee for you if needed to check for locking or pain during motion.
3. Tenderness
Your ANF Therapists will press around your knee, especially along the joint lines and tendons. Pain in certain areas can indicate a meniscus tear or other joint issues.
4. Ligament tests
To check for ligament damage, your ANF Therapists will do a couple of simple tests:
- Lachman test: The knee is bent slightly, and they pull your shin forward to check for abnormal movement in the ACL.
- Valgus and varus stress tests: Pressure is applied to the inside and outside of the knee to assess the stability of the side ligaments.
5. Assessment of Meniscus and cartilage
Your ANF Therapists will check for issues with the meniscus and cartilage using these tests:
- McMurray test: The knee is bent and rotated to look for pain or a clicking sound, which may indicate a meniscus tear.
- Apley’s Grind test: The doctor presses the kneecap while rotating your leg to check for cartilage issues.
Neurological examination:
In neurological examination, your ANF Therapist will palpate your nerve to check the inflammation in the nerve and to check:
- Reflexes of your lower limb
- Muscle tone
- Any weakness in the muscles
- Sensory supply below and above your knee joint
Applications of ANF Devices:
ANF Therapy®️ utilises small ANF Devices applied to the affected areas of your body. These devices work by emitting specific neurological frequencies. Positive and negative anti-inflammatory devices are applied around your joints to help remove inflammation, improve blood circulation, and alleviate pain. Biochemical antioxidant devices (carnosine and glutathione) are also used between the positive and negative anti-inflammatory devices. These devices help fight bacteria, toxins, and oxidative stress.
These devices help improve your muscle’s weak neurological frequencies and muscle strength and kick up your natural healing process.
Expected outcome:
According to Dr. Mikel H-G Hoff, patients feel immediate relief soon after applying ANF Devices. However, the response can vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the disease.
Follow-up:
Regular follow-ups are essential in treating locked knees and checking the efficacy of ANF Devices. Your ANF Therapist will guide you on the number of follow-up sessions and treatment duration. You will need to change ANF Devices after 72 hours. Your therapist will create a personalised treatment plan for you and educate you about these changes.
Start your journey with ANF Therapy®️:
How to prevent locked knees?
While you can’t always avoid the injuries or conditions that lead to locked knees, these tips can help reduce your risk:
- Exercise regularly, but stay within your physical limits
- Strengthen your leg and core muscles through targeted exercises
- Focus on improving flexibility to keep your knees mobile and strong
- Take breaks during activities, especially if you start feeling knee pain
- Be extra cautious in slippery or unstable areas to avoid falls and injuries
FAQs:
Is a locked knee permanent?
A locked knee is not always permanent. It is usually treated surgically, but ANF Therapy®️ treats it without surgery. This therapy uses special devices to help reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and improve mobility in the knee. It works by supporting the body’s natural healing process and often provides relief from the first session.
Can I walk with a locked knee?
Walking with locked knees depends on your condition. Waking is unsuitable if you feel much pain and can not bend your knees. However, you may be able to walk if the lock is caused by a meniscus tear that does not block your joints.
What is the fastest way to recover from knee pain?
ANF Therapy®️ may be the fastest way to recover from knee pain. It aims to provide 50% pain relief soon after applying ANF Devices. It does not treat only the symptoms but also the root cause of knee pain.
