In daily life, many people may have experienced such a situation:

　　When I walked, my knees suddenly "softened" and I felt as if I was about to fall.This phenomenon, while common, can be confusing and worrying.

So, what's going on with the sudden "softness" of the knees? Let's explore the possible causes.

　　When walking

　　What happens to the knee joint

First of all, we need to understand the basic structure and function of the knee joint.

The knee joint is one of the largest and most complex joints in the human body, consisting of the femur, tibia, and patella (commonly known as the kneecap), surrounded by multiple ligaments, tendons, and muscles that work together to maintain stability and flexibility. Different parts of the knee joint cooperate with each other to complete a variety of complex activities such as walking, running and jumping.

The picture comes from the Internet

Here are some of the key parts of the knee that play a role during walking:

　　thighbone: The thigh bone, which is connected to the patella and tibia of the knee joint. While walking, the distal end of the femur moves forward, pushing the knee to flex and extend.

　　Hip bone (knee bone): Located between the quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon, it plays a protective and lubricating role. While walking, the patella moves up and down with the flexion and extension of the knee, helping to reduce friction and provide stability.

　　脛骨: The lower leg bone, which forms the knee joint with the femur. When walking, the tibia moves back and forth as the foot moves, especially when the heel touches the ground and the ball of the foot touches the ground.

　　Quadriceps:This is a group of muscles on the front side of the thigh, including the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermediadius. They are mainly responsible for the extension of the knee joint. During the support phase of walking, the quadriceps muscles contract to help straighten the knee.

　　Popliteal muscles:A group of muscles located on the back of the thigh, including the semitendinosus muscles, semimembranosus muscles, and biceps femoris. They are mainly responsible for the flexion of the knee joint. During the swinging phase of walking, the hamstrings contract to help flex the knee joint, allowing the foot to swing forward.

　　Hip tendon:Connecting the patella and tibia, it is an extension of the quadriceps muscle. While walking, the patellar tendon tenses and relaxes as the knee joint is extended and flexed, helping to propel the body forward.

　　Meniscus:Located in the knee joint, there are two C-shaped fibrocartilages that act as cushioning and stabilizing. When walking, the meniscus moves with the movement of the knee joint, helping to distribute pressure on the joint.

　　Joint capsule and ligament:The joint capsule and ligaments of the knee (such as the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and lateral collateral ligament) stabilize the joint when walking and prevent excessive movement or injury.

The picture comes from the Internet

　　The knee cover suddenly "soft".

　　Possible causes

　　1

　　Muscle fatigue

　　Standing or walking for long periods of time, especially without adequate rest, the muscles around the knee joint may experience fatigue, leading to a momentary feeling of weakness, which is usually relieved after a short rest.

　　2

　　Laxity or injury to the ligament

The ligaments around the knee joint (e.g., anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, etc.) are responsible for maintaining the stability of the joint. If the ligaments are loose or injured, it may cause the knee joint to lose stability for a moment and feel "soft".Ligament injuries are common in athletes or people who perform high-intensity physical labor.

　　3

　　Meniscus injury

The meniscus is a soft tissue structure within the knee joint that cushions and stabilizes the joint. If the meniscus is injured or torn, it can cause a stimpling or weakness in the knee as it moves. Meniscus injuries are commonly caused by sudden movements that twist the knee joint, such as badminton, basketball, soccer, etc.

　　4

　　Osteomalacia

Patellar osteomalacia refers to degeneration and damage to the cartilage of the patella and is common in young athletes or people who have been engaged in weight-bearing activities on the knee for a long time. People may experience sudden weakness in their knees when walking or going up and down stairs. The occurrence of chondromalacia patella is related to factors such as knee degeneration, overuse of the knee joint, and knee trauma.

　　5

　　Neurological factors

The movement of the knee joint is controlled by the nervous system. If a nerve is compressed or damaged, such as a herniated lumbar disc, it can affect the movement of the knee joint, causing a sudden feeling of "softness."Lumbar disc herniation is common in people who are sedentary and have long-term weight bearing.

　　6

　　arthritis

Chronic joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause a decrease in the stability of the knee joint, resulting in momentary weakness.Osteoarthritis is more common in older people, while rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age.

　　If the knee is often "soft" when walking, we first consider meniscus injury and patellar malocalacia.

　　How to cope

　　Knee cover suddenly "soft"?

　　1

　　適當休息

If it is caused by muscle fatigue, it is advisable to take appropriate rest and avoid standing or walking for long periods of time. Fatigue can be relieved by elevating the legs, applying warm compresses, etc.

　　2

　　Intensify your workouts

Proper muscle strength training, such as quadriceps and hamstrings, can enhance the stability of the knee joint and prevent weakness.

Common workouts include:

　　Squats:It helps to strengthen the quadriceps muscles and gluteal muscles, and people with patellofemoral joint disease should be supervised by a physician.

　　Straight leg raise exercises:Enhance knee stability with leg strength training.

　　3

　　Wear knee pads

Knee braces can be worn for extra support and protection during strenuous exercise or long walks. A knee brace can help stabilize the knee joint and reduce the risk of injury.

　　4

　　Maintain a healthy weight

Excess weight can put a strain on the knee joint, and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce stress on the knee joint and prevent related problems from occurring. Weight can be maintained through a sensible diet and proper exercise.

　　5

　　Attention, posture, and movement

In everyday life, paying attention to proper posture and movements can reduce the risk of knee injuries. For example, avoid staying in the same position for long periods of time, avoid sudden strenuous movements, etc.

　　6

　　Seek prompt medical attention

If the sudden "softness" of the knee occurs frequently, or if it is accompanied by symptoms such as pain and swelling, it is recommended to seek medical attention in time for a detailed examination and diagnosis. Your doctor may recommend imaging tests (such as X-rays, MRIs) to determine the specific cause.

　　Protect your knees

　　It can be done

In order to better protect the knee joint, we can take the following measures:

　　1

　　Eat right

The diet should be rich in protein, vitamins and minerals,In particular, calcium, vitamin D, and collagen, among othersto help maintain healthy bones and joints.

　　2

　　適量運動

Moderate aerobic exercise (such as walking, swimming, cycling, etc.) can enhance cardiorespiratory fitness and improve joint flexibility and stability. At the same time, avoid excessive exercise, especially those that put a lot of stress on the knee joint.

　　3

　　Maintain good lifestyle habits

　　Quit smoking and limit alcoholto avoid the impact of bad lifestyle habits on physical health. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption may affect the health of bones and joints.

　　4

　　Regular medical check-ups

Regular check-ups, especially for people at risk of knee disease, can detect problems early and take timely measures.

　　5

　　Wear appropriate footwear

Wearing proper footwear can provide good support and cushioning, reducing the impact on the knee joint.Choose shoes with soft soles and good support, and avoid high heels and shoes with hard soles.

In daily life, we should pay attention to the health care of the knee joint and take active preventive measures to reduce the occurrence of knee joint diseases. Through scientific exercise, reasonable diet and good living habits, you can effectively improve the health level of the knee joint and enjoy a healthier and more fulfilling life.

From: Popular Science China

Source: Ping An Jiangsu