Knee Locking/Knee Tightness

[acornrevolution]

Hello.
I have two knee problems. I wanted to know if the course of action I am taking is on the right track. First, I have a knee locking problem. Its been a chronic problem, which happens once every few months. Usually, its due to my knee moving quickly on a frontal plane (side to side). I have not gotten an MRI, but have had acupuncture and seen a doctor, who said it was just shocked muscles.

Second, I have had a tightness in my knee - on the outside and behind, and have been diagnosed with illiotibial band syndrome. I am currently taking some anti-inflammatories for that, as well as wearing an anti-inflammatory patch. When I walk now, it feels like my patella needs to "pop" or "crack"...something doesn't feel right there.

I have been taking the anti-inflammatories, as well as doing stretching for the ITB (http://www.sportspodiatry.co.uk/upper_leg_itb.htm), as well as the pigeon stretch and few others. In addition, I have been doing exercises such as wide leg squats, single leg squats or step downs, horse stance knee drops (where, in a horse stance/wide leg stance, I keep my foot stationary and drop my knee inward to the ground), leg extensions, etc.

Also, I've been getting some physiotherapy - electro magentic and ultrasound massage.

Was wondering if I'm on the right track, or looking for any other suggestions,

[Heidi]

It does sound like you are on the right track and provided you are getting professional treatment there is not much more you can do at this stage. Just continue with treatments and exercises.

The feeling of your patella wanting to 'pop' is probably a mal-tracking issue. The tight lateral structures (such as ITB) are pulling the knee cap laterally. You need to make sure you are also strengthening the medial structures (such as VMO):

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/vmo.php

[acornrevolution]

I will definitely work on the VMO. What about for my knee locking problem? I suspect I need an MRI, but it is too expensive right now. What exercises can I do to make sure it doesnt lock up again, if moving the knee side to side does make it lock up?

[Heidi]

Hi
The locking problem could be related to patella mal-tracking as mentioned above. Or it could be cartilage damage. Have you had an acute injury to the knee before? (a fall or sports injury etc?)
For either of these cases, the exercises you are doing should help this too. If its a mal-tracking issue then you are already working on this, if its cartilage damage, then the usual conservative route is to strengthen the surrounding muscles of the knee to support the joint.