How do you pop a knee cap in place?

[The Backlash Cometh]

The left one is giving me trouble. Everything seems fine except when I lean forward slightly, then it feels like the whole knee will give-in, in the wrong direction. Sometimes I feel like snapping the leg to see if I can shift things back in place. (Oh, and I have tried, but the pain tells me it wasn't a good idea.)

Odd thing ever, I can jog just fine. No pain. It's that odd moment when you're walking around and suddenly shift your weight forward. Then, "ouch!"

Ice packs seem to help. Anyone have suggestions?

Oh, yeah, before this, for months, it sound like I was crinkling paper whenever I bent down to do gardening.

Now, I could go to the doctor to check it out, but, that would be too easy. What do you all suggest? A little WD 40?

[sam sarrha]

1. dont mess with it go the the orthopedic doctor

[Magrittes Pipe]

2. Ever seen "Misery?"

I'll do it for ya! :evilgrin:

[msgadget]

3. If you can't handle a hammer, see a doctor.

[MadHound]

4. Off with thee to the doctor!

As one who trashed my knees in my younger days, I think you should go to the doctor to find out what is wrong before you go popping anything anywhere. Too many different things could be wrong, ligaments, ACL MCL, tendons, cartilige torn, etc etc. If your kneecap is out of place, it is a sure sing something is wrong, and popping it back will only aggrivate the trouble.

[tsakshaug]

5. I would see a Dr, but

here are a couple of exercises-I had a similar issue-
Quad sets. Straight leg tighten the quads, hold for 10 sec, relax 10 sec repeat.

Straight leg raises.lie on the floor bend other leg so your foot is flat on the floor Lift your bad leg-keeping it straight- up about 6 inches-hold for a count of 10-repeat.

foot lifts. Lie down, bend leg over a pillow or something like that, straighten leg

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. This knee thing really sucks. I'd rather have a tapeworm.

[tridim]

7. At least with a tapeworm

you have yourself a cute pet.

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. Well, I draw the line at guinea worms.

http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~parasite/dracunculus.html

[barb162]

8. having been at the orthopedist last month because my damned

left knee was constantly popping (like cracking your knuckles) and hurting at weird times the last few months, I got a few xrays and he said I had mild arthritis and gave me some straight leg raises to do with weights.

Don't fool around with the knees!
I also do a lot of gardening and I noticed this last summer the left knee was killing me every time I was kneeling. I also have it happen that the oddest times it felt like it was going out of place and I thought I had torn ligaments

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. I suspect arthritis too.

[Historic NY]

11. Old age is creeping in, joints begin to sound like Rice Krispies......

snap, crackle & pop. I really hate when that happens.

[silverlib]

12. Yea, go impress an orthopedist

That crinkling paper sound is called "crepitus."

Physical therapy or exercises that he can give you are much better than antiinflammatories, prescription or over the counter.

A steroid injection might be really helpful - much better injected than orally.

Hope you are better soon.

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. Thanks to everyone who responded!

[barb162]

14. how can your knee cap be out of place unless you tore

something under or around the kneecap...which still means you have to see an orthopedist. It isn't just arthritis. Please let us know what the doc says, okay?

[The Backlash Cometh]

15. Well, I fell asleep last night with an ice pack on my knee and

probably deep froze the area longer than I would have had I been awake. But it helped. So there is definitely some inflamation going on that can respond to a cold compress.

What I don't like about doctor appointments is, that there is such a delay in the time you're feeling pain and the time the doctor will actually have an opening. I've had delays a month or two long and have gone in even though the pain was manageable, and they found nothing.

[B Calm]

16. Sounds like a torn ACL, I recommend surgery immediatley!

[Moderator]

17. Locking.

Questions of this nature should be answered by a qualified medical professional. Thank you for understanding.