Knee problem

[StephWzHere]

A couple weeks ago I was cleaning and I got down on my knees to clean up a spill and when I was getting up I heard a pop that sounded like a gun going off and it hurt now if I bend my knee it catches and I have to force it to straighten when it straightens it makes a thunk kinda sound and the knee looks like it shifts. I hope this makes sense I have no insurance right now but hope to have it in the next 30 to 60 days but if anyone can give me a hint on what could be wrong I would be so greatful.

[NOHARD]

This sopunds like a ligament problem, ok been there so talking form expearience, and the simple way is to get yourself a cheap 1 kilo pack of frozen peas and do this 3 times a day, you put your leg up and put the pack on your knee, the pack needs to be in a towel and leave it there for up to 30 minutes, this will help to get blood around the joint and help the healing of the ligament, it takes time but it will get there, you did not say are you getting pain when you walk up or down stairs? I find that was the worse bit for me, just try not to walk up or down hills for a while, the only other trement I had was tens, its a device that sends electricty through your knee joint but only small amounts, it just tingles, but I just treated myself with ice packs and it works for me.
Good Luck

[ukGP]

PS Just re-read your post - Instability of the knee joint (such as shifting) is normally a ligament problem and if partial can settle with rest but if complete requires surgery. Again a good physio to diagnose you is the way I would aproach this. (*Note in the UK NHS is free and unless you have a concrete diagnosis a physio is often seen before an orthopaedic surgeon - in your case if you are paying then you can see a specialist directly)

[ukGP]

A popping noise in a joint can be a sign of a ruptured muscle tendon or ligament.

However an acute and significant rupture (particularly of a muscle tendon) would normally result in immediate swelling.

A partial thickness rupture of a muscle tendon would cause pain when the muscle is used. A full thickness rupture of a muscle tendon would not allow the muscle to be used.

A meniscal injury is the commonest cause of a locking knee.

A good physiotherapist should be able to diagnose you. An MRI of the knee would be the next best thing if a soft tissue injury (as i have outlined above) was suspected.