Can you have spasticity in your knee?

[its2much]

Knee has been hurting for a couple of days, mostly on inner side of knee. Tightness also goes down my calf occasionally. Don't recall twisting, straining etc. my knee.

[Marco]

Your knee is made up 3 bones and numerous ligaments, cartilage and tendons, and is subject to spasticity. My knee was actually shifted out of place (MRI confirmation) from spasticity in my iliotibial band. Essentially, bigger muscles beating up smaller muscles. The knee is rather complex, so I would seek a physician's opinion before starting knee stretching or exercises. It would be terrible if you started with a partial tear and made it worse.

[mjan]

Funny that you'd bring up this topic. I just went through this and saw my ortho first. I was just standing in bathroom, blow drying my hair when my left leg just gave out. Later it was the right one. It will suddenly not support me. Had my knees x-rayed and although there is some bone on bone, I have no pain, range of motion is good, no swelling. I do get some pain for a moments at a time.

So the orthopedic thought was more related to spasticity in both my knees in ligaments. I had not been doing my walking an Giselle exercising or few weeks and it as showing. I walk the a cane when outdoors. But was not comfortable walking when suddenly my knee/leg would give out.

Not sure if this help or not. But I would suggest you see an Orthopedic doc first.

Let us know what you find out.

Good luck~ Jan

[Kimba22]

Knee has been hurting for a couple of days, mostly on inner side of knee. Tightness also goes down my calf occasionally. Don't recall twisting, straining etc. my knee.

Hi its2much,

Knee pain can also be caused by weakness of the supporting muscles. (Been there, done that ). If that's the case, there are specific PT exercises directed at strengthening the knee. A knee brace might also help.

But as already suggested, please get it checked out by a dr. first. If nothing shows up on X-ray or a possible MRI, I hope you will look into physical therapy.

Let us know what you find out. Best of luck

[Kimba22]

Funny that you'd bring up this topic. I just went through this and saw my ortho first. I was just standing in bathroom, blow drying my hair when my left leg just gave out. Later it was the right one. It will suddenly not support me. Had my knees x-rayed and although there is some bone on bone, I have no pain, range of motion is good, no swelling. I do get some pain for a moments at a time.

So the orthopedic thought was more related to spasticity in both my knees in ligaments. I had not been doing my walking an Giselle exercising or few weeks and it as showing. I walk the a cane when outdoors. But was not comfortable walking when suddenly my knee/leg would give out.

Not sure if this help or not. But I would suggest you see an Orthopedic doc first.

Let us know what you find out.

Good luck~ Jan

Hi mjan,

Something you should also check into is PT, as weakness could very well be the culprit. (Been there, done that, too ). AFO's also can help support the knee. Seems weird, but proper alignment of the foot/ ankle also translates to the knee.

Best of luck!

[artfan]

Knee Spasticity

Funny that you'd bring up this topic. I just went through this and saw my ortho first. I was just standing in bathroom, blow drying my hair when my left leg just gave out. Later it was the right one. It will suddenly not support me. Had my knees x-rayed and although there is some bone on bone, I have no pain, range of motion is good, no swelling. I do get some pain for a moments at a time.

So the orthopedic thought was more related to spasticity in both my knees in ligaments. I had not been doing my walking an Giselle exercising or few weeks and it as showing. I walk the a cane when outdoors. But was not comfortable walking when suddenly my knee/leg would give out.

Not sure if this help or not. But I would suggest you see an Orthopedic doc first.

Let us know what you find out.

Good luck~ Jan

Hi Jan!

Very interesting information. I am still in limbo and waiting to see an MS specialist. I was just reading through some of the comments under "Spasticity" posts in the MS Symptoms section and came up on yours.

Funny, my knees have been doing exactly what you described -- giving out from under me -- and happening more frequently. It happened 2 or 3 times last YEAR. Now, it's more like 2-3 times per WEEK! Could spasticity really be the problem?

I keep telling my doc that I constantly lose my balance and that my knees give out often but he doesn't do anything?! Living in a small northern Ontario (Canada) town, I can't change doctors. I don't know what else to do to do. Any suggestions?

Please advise. Thank you!

Artfan

[mjan]

Hi Jan!

Very interesting information. I am still in limbo and waiting to see an MS specialist. I was just reading through some of the comments under "Spasticity" posts in the MS Symptoms section and came up on yours.

Funny, my knees have been doing exactly what you described -- giving out from under me -- and happening more frequently. It happened 2 or 3 times last YEAR. Now, it's more like 2-3 times per WEEK! Could spasticity really be the problem?

I keep telling my doc that I constantly lose my balance and that my knees give out often but he doesn't do anything?! Living in a small northern Ontario (Canada) town, I can't change doctors. I don't know what else to do to do. Any suggestions?

Please advise. Thank you!

Artfan

Kimba, I am sorry I missed your repy awhile back. I am not only going to get PT,I am needed another EMG of both arms and legs, then back surgery. Surgeon wants to know how much is MS, how much is spinal stenosis.

[Avengr13]

Jello knees

I just went to my GP to ask about pain in my knee. My Knees give out randomly even when I am doing well otherwise. My husband knows that when I ask for a chair immediately, he better get one for me, otherwise he will be picking me up off the floor. I thought I was alone. Isn't it great to have company? NOT! But it is nice to know that someone has this problem.

[mjan]

I just went to my GP to ask about pain in my knee. My Knees give out randomly even when I am doing well otherwise. My husband knows that when I ask for a chair immediately, he better get one for me, otherwise he will be picking me up off the floor. I thought I was alone. Isn't it great to have company? NOT! But it is nice to know that someone has this problem.

Sorry your knees are failing you. But to me, spasticity tightens and won't release. What you are describing sounds like weakness maybe? Have you seen or spoken to your Neuro? My quad muscles tighten up sometimes that I cannot bend my knee and it can be tough to get up stairs.

Call your Neuro RN and ask what to do. Let us know what happens and how you are doing.

Hugs, Jan

[Marco]

I just went to my GP to ask about pain in my knee. My Knees give out randomly even when I am doing well otherwise. My husband knows that when I ask for a chair immediately, he better get one for me, otherwise he will be picking me up off the floor. I thought I was alone. Isn't it great to have company? NOT! But it is nice to know that someone has this problem.

I agree with Jan.

From my experience, spasticity is not normally so fluid as you describe. There are some patients that have severe enough spasticity that it causes rigidity. These patients may use rigidity to help them ambulate, but this is not a dynamic situation. If you remove their spasticity they probably cannot walk because they were using the rigidity to help keep them upright (like walking on cement blocks or wooden poles). They typically wake up rigid and go to sleep rigid.

The episodic nature that you described is probably something else. For me, it was vertigo, weakness, fatigue or some other stimulus that would have me crashing to the ground. When I felt unsteady I would not wait for a chair, but would immediately sit down wherever I was. I'd rather lose a fool "cool points" or have a few people stare than end up in the ER.

I would talk to your neurologist about your situation. If one is not readily available then ask your PCP to schedule a neuro PT evaluation / gait analysis. Many times PTs can clue in on things that your family doctors cannot. Please keep us updated on your situation!!! I wish you well ...