Expertly Diagnosing Knee Instability in the Vail Valley

Knee instability is the feeling that the knee is constantly giving out, unable to bear weight, or locking. Sometimes this condition is accompanied by pain, but, in other cases, the knee instability occurs without any additional symptoms.

What Causes Knee Instability?

Knee instability is often a symptom of an underlying condition. In the majority of cases, knee instability is the result of an untreated ligament injury.

Three common ligament injuries that lead to chronic knee instability are:

1. MCL Injury: The medial cruciate ligament (MCL) connects the tibia to the femur. Located on the inside of the knee joint, the MCL keeps your knee from twisting too far from the inside. If there's an injury or tear to the MCL, it can lead to the knee collapsing inward.

2. ACL Injury: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects the tibia to the femur bone and helps to stabilize the knee joint. When the ACL tears, the knee will usually swell - causing pain, stiffness, and knee instability. A severe ACL tear can make it impossible to bear weight without pain.

3. PCL Injury: The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is another major ligament that helps to keep the knee joint stability. The PCL connects the tibia to the femur and ensures the tibia doesn't move backward as the knee bends. If the PCL is strained or torn through hyperextending, it can cause a sensation of knee looseness.

Other conditions that could cause knee instability include:

• Kneecap (Patella) Instability

• Cartilage Damage

• Femoral Nerve Damage

• Plica Syndrome

• Arthritis

Knee instability can be a serious risk to your health and be a sign of a serious injury to one of the knee ligaments. If your knee feels unstable or like it's going to collapse, don't try to "wait it out."  

How to Diagnose Knee Instability 

No matter what's causing your knee to buckle, it's critical to have the instability properly diagnosed by an orthopaedic knee specialist. Dr. Sterett and his team will start by reviewing your medical history. He may ask you the following questions about your knee instability:

• When did this begin?

• How often does it occur? Is it chronic or does it only occur in certain situations?

• Do you feel a popping in the knee?

• Does your knee feel loose or like the knee joint is locking?

After reviewing your medical history, Dr. Sterett and his team may need to perform a physical exam or order imaging tests to determine the exact cause behind your condition. 

Finding the Best Doctor for Treating Knee Instability 

If you feel as though the knee is twisting or moving unnaturally while doing basic daily activities, it's essential to diagnose the cause of this symptom immediately. Dr. Sterett and his team at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery specialize in diagnosing and treating knee instability - getting you back to the activities you love. 

Request a consultation with Dr. Sterett by calling (970) 476-7220 or by submitting our online appointment request form.