It also may cause enough pain to prevent you from doing so.
Other treatment options may be possible.
These injuries are likely to be trauma-related and require urgent assessment.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Sometimes there’s visible deformity and the reason for why you might’t straighten a knee is more clear.
Bursitis
Severebursitisis an inflammation of the knee’s bursa, a fluid-filled pad that cushions the joint.
It also can be injured from a fall or while playing sports.
Tendonitis
Severe tendonitis is an inflammation of the tissue connecting muscle to bone in the knee.
RA is anautoimmune diseasethat causes symptoms because the body’s own immune system is attacking the tissue.
Gout typically affects the big toe but can cause symptoms at any joint, including the knee.
This includes a review of your medical history and the events that led up to the issue.
An X-ray of the knee is commonly ordered.
It can show whether there are any loose bones, fractures, or acute swelling within the joint.
If an X-ray is inconclusive, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can be ordered.
Meniscus tears will typically show up on an MRI examination.
Should I Go to the ER if I Can’t Straighten My Knee?
Otherwise, contact your healthcare provider for an exam and diagnosis.
There are standard approaches for both locked and pseudo-locked knees.
Fortunately, most people are able to fully recover with the proper treatment.
Pseudo-Locked Knee
If the issue preventing motion is pain, then that pain needs to be managed.
If the cause is a meniscus tear, arthroscopic knee surgery is generally advised.
A Word From Verywell
Having a locked knee should never be considered normal.
The incident may hint at a more serious concern that requires treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends.
When a meniscus tear occurs, you may first feel a pop in your knee.
Yes, age-related osteoarthritis (OA) changes can make the knee stiff and limit mobility.
Your healthcare provider can discuss the options.
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Reinking MF.Current concepts in the treatment of patellar tendinopathy.Int J Sports Phys Ther.
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OrthoInfo.Patellar (kneecap) fractures.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
OrthoInfo.Arthritis of the knee.
Kramer DE, Micheli LJ.Meniscal tears and discoid meniscus in children: diagnosis and treatment.
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Penn Medicine.Meniscus tears: Why you should not let them go untreated.
