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Original poster

HELP - knee has locked and I can't stand up - any medical people???

26 replies

Robinchat · 09/02/2025 22:48

Posting for traffic as I'm panicking.
I have osteoarthritis in my knees and my left knee has suddenly locked, I cant straighten it, I am in bed and I think I must have twisted it when I turned over.
I can't stand up as it's locked bent and hurts to try to weight bear on it. I've tried gradually 'forcing' it to straighten, I've tried massaging and gently manipulating it, not helped. I'm trying to relax it now to see if that helps
It's something mechanical that's locked inside the knee joint.
I don't know what to do
I need to go for a pee
I have to be up early to go to work tomorrow
I can't get off my bed
I'm home on my own
It was fine earlier
Any suggestions please
Very worried

OP posts:
Isthisallowedtoday · 09/02/2025 22:49

Sorry not a medic but maybe call 111

Pinkpillow7 · 09/02/2025 22:50

Sounds like a dislocation?

BastilleBastille · 09/02/2025 22:51

Honestly you need to phone 111. You need medical advice. This is above mumsnet pay grade unfortunately!

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General health
Bati · 09/02/2025 22:52

Does your knee look different to normal, you might have dislocated it.

Original poster
Robinchat · 09/02/2025 22:52

Pinkpillow7 · 09/02/2025 22:50

Sounds like a dislocation?

Maybe partial. I've had dislocation of the kneecap before, it's not as bad as that. It's not agony, I just can't straighten it. I don't think it's properly dislocated I'd be rolling around in agony

OP posts:
naturallydelicious · 09/02/2025 22:53

This happens to me . Try rotating your ankle clockwise & anti clockwise. It sometimes unlocks it for me .

Original poster
Robinchat · 09/02/2025 22:54

naturallydelicious · 09/02/2025 22:53

This happens to me . Try rotating your ankle clockwise & anti clockwise. It sometimes unlocks it for me .

Thank you, I'll try this now

OP posts:
fourelementary · 09/02/2025 22:55

Can you move to the side of the bed so your good leg is on the outside… then use it to lever yourself into a sitting on edge of the bed position? Support your locked knee with something like a pillowcase or PJs under ear on a sling sort of thing… then can you try to push up to stand on your good leg and sort of let your locked leg “swing”… sometimes if there is a slight sublaxion (not sure if that’s the exact word but it’s like a tiny movement of the joint that isn’t a dislocation but is kind of enough movement to make it “stuck”) this can help it fix. Use furniture and walls to get to the loo- have a pee and then call 111 if it’s not unstuck.

Akite · 09/02/2025 22:57

My DD had this when she had a torn meniscus in her knee, it can happen if the torn bit flaps over where it shouldn't and stops the knee from straightening - could it be anything like that? It was a few years ago so I can't remember exactly how she could get it to straighten again, I think she had to bend it more a few times first.
Do call 111 though if you can't get it straight, that's what they are there for.

FumingTRex · 09/02/2025 22:59

if you cant get to the loo by yourself can you call someone to come over? I would definitely help a neighbour in this situation

Original poster
Robinchat · 09/02/2025 23:00

I'm sat on the edge of the bed rotating the ankle, trying to see if that will help

OP posts:
ramonaquimby · 09/02/2025 23:00

That's v painful, can you change position so it bypasses where it's locked?
I too have osteoarthritis in one of my knees and am waiting for knee arthroscopy to repair a meniscal tear and remove cartilage etc. the pain is searing when my knee locks or if I twist from that knee suddenly . you have my every sympathy.

Original poster
Robinchat · 09/02/2025 23:03

Fuckfuckfuckityfuck

I could really do without this

OP posts:
Llttledrummergirl · 09/02/2025 23:05

Akite · 09/02/2025 22:57

My DD had this when she had a torn meniscus in her knee, it can happen if the torn bit flaps over where it shouldn't and stops the knee from straightening - could it be anything like that? It was a few years ago so I can't remember exactly how she could get it to straighten again, I think she had to bend it more a few times first.
Do call 111 though if you can't get it straight, that's what they are there for.

I was about to say the same thing. We spent 10 hours in a&e without being seen by a doctor before being sent home with a brace and a single crutch for dd.
It needed an mri to see the damage so you will need to be seen by someone who can order this. Although it was sore, it wasn't off the scale painful, she just couldn't straighten it.

Original poster
Robinchat · 09/02/2025 23:05

I have had a torn meniscus in this knee years ago and had an op years ago on it..it's got bugger all cartilage left in it and I'll need an op eventually.
It doesn't normally cause these sorts of problems though

OP posts:
Original poster
Robinchat · 09/02/2025 23:06

Llttledrummergirl · 09/02/2025 23:05

I was about to say the same thing. We spent 10 hours in a&e without being seen by a doctor before being sent home with a brace and a single crutch for dd.
It needed an mri to see the damage so you will need to be seen by someone who can order this. Although it was sore, it wasn't off the scale painful, she just couldn't straighten it.

Show quote history

☹️

OP posts:
Missreginafalange · 09/02/2025 23:08

Ahh my knee dislocates itself, have has a couple of operations but no joy. What I do when it locks in a bent position is put my fingers under the knee cap to support and almost lift it as I try to straighten the leg, worth a go?

AndThereSheGoes · 09/02/2025 23:09

Can you phone work tonight and leave a message explaining you can't come in tomorrow? Or message your clients or whatever.

Drag yourself yourself to the loo. Dial 111.

You have my sympathy. Bodies are like cars. Fab when they work, absolutely ruins everything when they don't.

tiredmumof4yearold · 09/02/2025 23:12

This happened to my son a few times when he was a teenager. Once was so bad he needed a&e, was admitted and had to have orthopaedics with an injection to release it.
The dr did say if it happens again try and sit up high somewhere and let leg dangle down, like swinging loose, so gravity helps, that position relaxes the joint.

Original poster
Robinchat · 09/02/2025 23:12

I've unlocked it! I.made it to the loo! So happy about that 😁
It's not right though so I'll call the doc tomorrow and get it looked at. It's making horrible crunching noises
Thank you so much to the person who suggested ankle rotations, that did it 👍
Thank heavens for that !!!!!!!
Thanks everyone!
SO relieved (literally)

OP posts:
fairislecable · 09/02/2025 23:12

I had this and it was bits of meniscus floating about and stopping the movement in the knee (non technical term!).

It did loosen off after a manipulation (doctor) and was even better after arthroscopy to hoover out the debris.

Hope you get seen soon I remember hopping to the loo when I did it!

saladandchipper · 09/02/2025 23:16

I'm medical and I'd still advise calling 111. Smile

Good luck. It's bloody frightening xx

Original poster
Robinchat · 09/02/2025 23:18

saladandchipper · 09/02/2025 23:16

I'm medical and I'd still advise calling 111. Smile

Good luck. It's bloody frightening xx

Thanks. I've managed to straighten it and get to the loo so I'll just follow it up with a call to the Dr tomorrow

OP posts:
saladandchipper · 09/02/2025 23:33

Sorry yes x posted. Glad you're sorted for now.

HJ91 · 10/02/2025 00:17

Hi OP, I had the exact same thing happen occasionally to both of my knees at different points from the age of around 12 to early twenties. Initially it sorted itself out after intense immediate pain and then it took longer and longer each time. Culminated in being ‘stuck’ for over 24 whilst on holiday - I was given a tank of laughing gas, had something injected into my leg, and a doctor basically manipulated my leg straight while I was on cloud 9 but it still hurt like hell. I had a leg brace for about 6 weeks and leg very tender for a while after that. It happened to the other leg a few years later (got stuck) and same fix, albeit the NHS don’t inject you with anything to help.

I had scans and x-rays on my leg and they couldn’t find a reason it happened. My dad used to have the same thing when he was younger too. I’m very careful with my knees now, but since both were ‘forced’ straight it hasn’t happened. No idea why or what it is.

It’s a bloody awful feeling and I really sympathise - be careful putting pressure on your leg for the foreseeable future, and also bending at unusual angles. Also, if it happens again and you need medical intervention ASK FOR THE LAUGHING GAS. I think I would have passed out from the pain otherwise!