Joint locking (medicine)

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Joint locking (symptom)
)
Not to be confused with Joint lock.

In

symptom of pathology in a joint
. It is a complaint by a person when they are unable to fully flex or fully extend a joint.

This term is also used to describe the normal mechanism of lower limb joints held in full extension without much muscular effort when a person is standing.

Clinical symptom

Complaints of locking sensation in the

knee joint can be divided into true locking and pseudo locking. True locking happens when the intra-articular structure (e.g. ligaments)[1] is damaged, or a loose body is present inside the joint, or there is a meniscal tear. The knee can be unlocked by rotating the leg and full movement can be restored. A person may feel the presence of a loose body in the suprapatellar region or lateral and medial gutter. Once the loose body is felt, it may slide and move to another area, thus it is also called a "joint mouse".[2]

Pseudolocking usually happens when a person feels pain when trying to flex or extend a knee joint while there are no structural causes of the locking. The locking is usually relieved after a massage or taking painkillers.[2]

Joint locking is a common symptom of:

Locking mechanism

Normal locking of the knee happens during the last stages of extension when a person is standing up. Medial rotation of

popliteus muscle through the lateral rotation of femur.[4]

The locking mechanisms of

midtarsal joint[6][7] are also being investigated in cadavers
.

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 9780736041171
    . Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  2. ^
    ISBN 9781841100739
    . Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  3. ^ Hixon AL, Gibbs LM (January 2000). "What Should I Know About Osteochondritis Dissecans?". American Family Physician. 61 (1): 158. Archived from the original on 2011-11-13. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  4. ISBN 978-81-239-1864-8
    . Locking is a mechanism that allows the knee to remain the position of full extension as in standing without much muscular effort
  5. doi:10.1002/ar.1091470303
    .
  6. PMID 16390642
    .
  7. PMID 24038197
    .
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