Knees buckling

[cjacks]

Does anyone have any idea what causes the old buckling knees trick ?   I've been experiencing this for about two months , it started with one buckle/dip once in awhile  ..  now it happens  whenever I stand in one place, I have  four or five buckles/dips, kind of a bounce motion .   It probably looks pretty weird.   I don't fall , but it feels like I easily could .

Will this most likely progress into something I have to be concerned about and watchful of ?   I did tell my neuro's P.A. who said nothing much.

Thanks for any help

Jo

[RicoDCG]

Hi, my name's Rico. I was in the USAF for 20 years (1981 - 2001); however, I was diagnosed with MS close to the start of my 19th year in the Air Force.  Anyway, 4-months after being diagnosed, I was walking around the neighborhood with my wife and daughter. Then, out of nowhere, both my knees buckled at the same time. In a instant, I went from: a standing position; hitting my rear on the sidewalk; a squatting position for a second, or two; then wobbling my arms frantically in a sub-conscience attempt to stand back up straight~which I did. Immediately thereafter, I looked at my wife and daughter and we all began laughing so hard because of how fast everything occurred and what I looked like in my attempt to stand back up. Thinking the episode was nothing more than some kind of weird fluke (my knees never buckled before this in any shape, form or fashion) and after the three of us stopped laughing, we began to resume our walk; problem was though, it happened again. The first two, or so times this happened we all laughed so hard, it's amazing none of us wet ourselves. However, after this continued, my family's smiles quickly disappeared and everyone began to worry. My daughter actually became very anxious and started crying asking me in a very alarming voice, "What's wrong Pop!?!!" In a calm voice I told her not to worry, but to run back and get our neighbor to come pick me up. After notifying my neurologist and walking around like a duck for nearly a week (I thought I was on my way to being bedridden), my neurologist came across this (or very similar condition) in one of her MS books. The cure, Dilantin~an anti-seizure medicine. If my memory serves me correctly, I was walking normal again the same day; however, my knees continually buckled regardless of whether, or not I was just standing, or walking. But get this--my knees DO NOT buckle when I run. In regards to the Dilantin; well, once again, relying just on my memory I believe I was on it for three, or four months. Since then (the end of 2000) to present, my knees continue to buckle (whenever they feel like it...lol) I'm standing and walking; but again, THIS DOES NOT happen when I run. Further, I've never been put back on Dilantin (or any other medicine for that matter) for this condition. FYI~I came to this site to see if I could find anyone else in the MS community that had the same symptoms I have (my knees buckle spontaneously when I'm walking and standing, but NOT when I'm running) when I came across your question. So I hope you find my response helpful/informational and if there's anyone out there that can tell me if they are experiencing they same symptoms I am, I'd be glad to hear from you. Ciao for now and Best Wishes to All; Regards....Rico

[Mand125]

This has probably been my main sympton for a year or so. It wouldn't happen when I was walking - just when I stood still. Waiting in line in shops was a complete no-no.

Now I think about it I haven't had this problem for a month or so. I wonder if the DMDs that I started taking mid August have helped this? I would love to think that is the case.

[Quixotic1]

For me there are two causes to my knees buckling.  The first is the severe weakness in quadriceps.  When I am trying to stand from a slight crouch (cleaning out cat boxes) or when standing up out of my chair my thighs just won't hold my wieght and allow me to straighten my knees.

The second has to do with the spasticity of my right leg.  Sometimes, usually when I am stepping down and not paying attention, my right knee will SNAP backwards (hyper  as I put my weight on it and then buckle from the pain.  My extensors are spastic and the leg just goes awry.  hate it!

Quix

[doni54]

Hi Jo,

As you know I'm not dx, but I've had the same problem on and off for years.  It will happen for awhile and then I'm okay.  I've even had my hips do the same.

Thank goodness it is never both at one time.  Hopefully yours will stop too.  Be careful though, cause a fall could result.

Hugs.............doni

[Lulu54]

I get that knee buckle at unpredictable times - sometimes walking, sometimes standing still.  I always think I'm going to be in trouble with my knee swelling or something else but it seems to recover pretty quick.  Its always in my weak leg, the right. - Lulu

[jensequitur]

i should say that my right leg started out being weak, then I went into a flare, then I recovered, and now it's still a little weak.  But better!

[jensequitur]

I do that all the time - my right leg has a bit of atrophy in the muscle controlling the knee, and it folds quite often.  Or it shakes, or kinda stutters in place, like it's not sure what to do next.

I would definitely tell your neuro about this progression.