What Causes a Knee to Lose Range of Motion
We use our knees more often than we realize when running errands, tying our shoes, or showering. Those natural movements are taken for granted until something reduces our knee range of motion. Several possible issues or conditions can cause decreased function, including medical conditions or injuries. Prolonged immobility or a sedentary lifestyle exacerbates these issues, leading to stiffness and reduced flexibility over time.
Monitoring for the most common causes may keep your knee moving smoothly.
In some cases, reduced range of motion is temporary, while more severe conditions require surgery or physical therapy. After undergoing surgical procedures, knee or joint replacement care is often necessary. Rehab includes a customized physical therapy program to increase muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Your doctor may also recommend wound care, pain management, and nutritional guidance to ensure a speedy recovery.
Possible Common Causes of Knee Range of Motion Loss
Loss of knee range of motion can result from a variety of causes, including injury, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors. Traumatic injuries such as ligament tears, fractures, or meniscal damage often lead to swelling and pain, which restrict movement. Chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, can cause inflammation and joint damage, progressively limiting mobility.
Additionally, muscle imbalances, tightness, or weakness around the knee joint can hinder its full movement.
The knee is a complex joint involving four ligaments connecting the upper and lower leg bones. Other parts are also involved, including the protective flat patella bone and lubricating cartilage. When a medical condition, injury, or lack of activity damages these areas, range of motion decreases. Let’s take a look at the most common causes of knee movement issues.
Arthritis
Arthritis affects the joints, causing discomfort and swelling and reducing the knee’s range of motion. Three types most commonly affect the knee. These include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis.
The first is degenerative, resulting from cartilage breakdown over time. As an autoimmune disease, RA causes the immune system to attack the body’s healthy tissue, reducing knee movements. Post-traumatic arthritis occurs after an injury, reducing ligament stability and wearing down cartilage. All three cause inflammation and pain, preventing the knee from flexing and extending properly.
Traumatic injuries
As the most used joint in the body, the knee is susceptible to injury, especially for sports enthusiasts. Of course, car accidents, falls, and other blows to the area could also result in severe damage.
The most common knee injuries affect the anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, and collateral ligaments. ACL damage results from repeatedly pivoting the knee, mainly during sports. The other two are caused by blows to the front or side of the knee. Meniscal or tendon tears, fractures, and dislocation are also common knee injuries that alter movement.
According to studies, surgery to repair the damage from traumatic injuries could also reduce knee range of motion. So, even repairing the damage will require time and therapy to regain what you’ve lost.
Neuromuscular disorders
Neuromuscular disorders interfere with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. When those signals aren’t processed properly, movements are often affected, preventing full range of motion in the knee. Some conditions affecting the knee include multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy.
These disorders may also cause damage to the joint, resulting in scar tissue buildup called arthrofibrosis. The scar tissue limits how far the knee bends or extends.
Muscle weakness
If your routine lacks physical activity, the leg and glute muscles weaken over time, reducing joint support. Those muscles also lose their flexibility, causing stiffness and discomfort. The stiffer they become, the more your knee range of motion decreases.
To avoid pain and reduced mobility, it’s vital to exercise regularly. Walking, biking, gardening, swimming, yoga, or any other physical activity will do as long as it works those muscles.
Maintaining strong muscles is crucial for overall health and well-being. Addressing weak muscle issues involves a combination of exercises, nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments aimed at strengthening the muscles and improving overall health.
Resources:
- Johns Hopkins Medicine, Knee Arthritis
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/knee-arthritis#:~:text=What%20is%20knee%20arthritis%3F,to%20smoothly%20bend%20and%20straighten - Orofino, Common Knee Injuries
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/common-knee-injuries/ - NCBI, September 7, 2021, Incidence and risk factors for decreased range of motion of the knee joint after surgery for closed tibital plateau fractures
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8422622/ - NCBI, July 29, 2022, Management of arthrofibrosis in neuromuscular disorders: a review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9336011/ - HSS, January 30,2023, Stretches and Exercises to Strengthen Your Knees, from a PT
https://www.hss.edu/article_exercises-strengthen-knees.asp
This article is for educational and informational purpose only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. For any questions about your own health condition, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
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