My knee locked after football and won't straighten. What's happened?

What true locking feels like

People describe the knee as stuck in a slightly bent position. You can usually bend it further, but the last part of straightening is blocked by something that feels mechanical, not just painful. Trying to force it straight causes sharp pain on the inner or outer side. Some people find the knee unlocks with a clunk and then locks again later.

This is different from a knee that is simply too swollen or sore to straighten, although both can happen together.

Why it happens

In football, padel and basketball, the foot is planted while the body turns. That twist can split the meniscus lengthwise. The inner strip, still attached at both ends, flips over like the handle of a bucket and lodges between the bones. The ACL is often torn in the same injury, so the knee is checked for both.

What to do now

• Stop playing and do not try to force the knee straight
• Use crutches if walking is painful, ice for short periods and keep the leg elevated
• Take simple pain relief if it is safe for you
• Arrange an assessment with a knee surgeon within the next few days

Go to an emergency department if the knee is hugely swollen within an hour or two, the leg looks deformed, the foot is numb, cold or pale, or you cannot bear any weight at all.

What happens at the clinic

At Aman Hospital in Doha, Dr. Gelber examines the range of movement, the joint line and ligament stability, and usually arranges an MRI promptly. If a bucket-handle tear is confirmed, arthroscopic surgery to put the meniscus back in place and stitch it is often planned soon, as fresh tears in younger patients are more likely to be repairable.