Took the subway to visit our daughter and SIL yesterday. Lots of walking (subway stairs, detour to catch streetcar, walking to their condo). When we got on the streetcar (the steps are deep) my knees suddenly buckled. I almost fell onto the steps. It was so sudden, and a shock. Has this ever happened to anyone here? I can't take step aerobics where the knee can 'twist', but I'm not aware of any other problems. Guess I will have to speak with my doctor about this.
My knees buckled on me yesterday .. what's happening?!
- Thread starter Pinky
- Start date
fureverywhere
beloved friend who will always be with us in spiri
- Location
- Northern NJ, USA
Yes mention it to your doctor. Sometimes it's just being older and things get creaky. My ankle and hip give out sometimes and it is scary, especially on steps. If I fell over there isn't too much hubby could do to help. My doctor suggested weight strengthening exercises...and just being aware, especially carrying heavy stuff on stairs.
fur, it was scary! - and embarrassing.
A couple of winters ago, I slipped and fell down on an ice patch just as I was about to enter a store. A big burly man was just coming out, and tried to help me up. I couldn't stand up, my knees kept buckling. He literally had to lift me under both my arms. I was dead weight. Obviously, something's going on with my knees, though I never have pain or discomfort in the joints.
A couple of winters ago, I slipped and fell down on an ice patch just as I was about to enter a store. A big burly man was just coming out, and tried to help me up. I couldn't stand up, my knees kept buckling. He literally had to lift me under both my arms. I was dead weight. Obviously, something's going on with my knees, though I never have pain or discomfort in the joints.
My left knee used to do this sometimes back when I was having to use stairs, and later when I tried riding an exercise bicycle. I don't use stairs anymore, and I quit riding the exercise bike, and unless I have to walk down a hill (or a few steps) my knee hasn't buckled in a long time. But it HURT when it did!
Hi Pinky...I know it is a frightening feeling for you .... most the time, it is due to the knee telling us that it "have enough" of sudden overuse. Mostly, the doctor will order that you do some knee exercises to strengthen the muscles in the leg and around the knee. If you have pain, that is a different story, Some time it can mean a tear in the miniscus and it will require a doctor care. But if the knee itself is "give out" feeling it is general because of not a lot of use and then sudden over-use as you mentioned. The pain or no pain is the key - you not mention pain, so I think it may be muscular in basis. There are many knee exercises or even more active walking which will build up the muscles that support the joint(s). As always, if you continue to feel this or you feeling concern, just see you doctor and mention it....it is quite common with us "over 25 year olds" 
... I hope you have success in getting thing back to normal. xo From Gia
... I hope you have success in getting thing back to normal. xo From GiaThank you, Gia. Pre-menopause, I had a problem with one knee .. it would "click". I took glucosamine chondroiton for a few years for it. Though I don't really know if it helped, the clicking went away. I started Tai Chi recently, so am hoping it helps to gently help the knee joints and muscles. Oh, you are sweet saying us "over 25 year olds" - at this point, even saying "over 50" is a compliment ;-) Thank you so much for your kind feedback.
xo Lillian/Pinky
xo Lillian/Pinky
fureverywhere
beloved friend who will always be with us in spiri
- Location
- Northern NJ, USA
The pain can be incredible, you gasp out loud because it's so sudden. I'm working on getting over the embarrassment. The other day I was sitting in the senior's section of the library maybe an hour. As I stood up knees, hips, elbows, wrists...everything popped audibly together...oy vey, when did I turn into the Tin Man?
I'm sorry you have the pain, so lucky I don't, but maybe that's coming. The past few weeks, I've noticed my shoulders and arms have been cracking first thing in the morning. They do this 'pounding' thing at Tai Chai, I'm assuming to loosen up the muscles. I thinking I'll try to do this every day, though doubt it will stop the knee problem.
Pinky, I'm sorry to hear that happened to you, but glad you didn't fall and suffer an injury. I haven't had my knees buckle yet, hopefully it will never happen, but you never know. They say the way to protect joints like our knees, is to build up the muscle surrounding the area, so it's good that you're doing Tai Chi. I did a class years ago when I was younger, and enjoyed it very much.
I take supplements like Magnesium Citrate, Glucosamine Sulfate, vitamin k2, MSM, etc., hopefully they're helping me to stay more limber and strong in my golden years.
I think the ligaments surrounding your knee may be strained or damaged, causing weakness. I also feel that stretching exercises are very good for us, something I don't nearly do often enough. Hope you don't experience this again any time soon, it's a good time to be more aware of the threat though....hugs.
I take supplements like Magnesium Citrate, Glucosamine Sulfate, vitamin k2, MSM, etc., hopefully they're helping me to stay more limber and strong in my golden years.
I think the ligaments surrounding your knee may be strained or damaged, causing weakness. I also feel that stretching exercises are very good for us, something I don't nearly do often enough. Hope you don't experience this again any time soon, it's a good time to be more aware of the threat though....hugs.
Sea, I think the folly of my youth (dropping out of a 2nd storey window, jumping from trees and roofs) is now impacting on my bones, specifically my knees. I recall one doctor asking "what have you done to your knees?" .. and that wasn't even when I had a problem.
Growing older is not for sissies. In the past few years, I've developed a phobia about falling, ever since I had a couple of slips on the ice in winter. If it snows, I get nervous if I have to walk in it .. even if it rains. This is difficult for someone who used to be such a daredevil.
I'm going to try Glucosamine Sulfate again. Thanks for all the tips.
Growing older is not for sissies. In the past few years, I've developed a phobia about falling, ever since I had a couple of slips on the ice in winter. If it snows, I get nervous if I have to walk in it .. even if it rains. This is difficult for someone who used to be such a daredevil.
I'm going to try Glucosamine Sulfate again. Thanks for all the tips.