Scary Incident Last Evening
@BelleStarr (61047)
United States
December 30, 2017 9:17am CST
I was putting something away in a large walk in closet we have in our family room. It is where my husband stores everything. I had to reach across somethings he had on the floor to get to the shelving unit. Somehow I shifted my weight on my legs. Suddenly, my right knee gave out, this has never happened before. I actually fell onto the floor.
There is a layer of carpet on the floor but this is a basement so it is concrete underneath. I just sat there for a minute to see if any part of me was actually hurt. My elbow hurt a little, I must have banged it on the door frame but other than that I seemed to be okay. I waited a minute before trying to stand up, with the bad knees getting from the floor to a standing position requires putting the knees on the floor which is rather painful.
I am fine this morning but my knee is still sore and I read up about it. I guess it is not uncommon for someone like me with no cartiledge to have a knee collapse like that and it can result in instability. Oh great, considering how much running around I do all the time I need to be stable on my feet.
Hopefully this won't become an every day occurance but I am going to be more careful to make sure I don't put too much pressure on that knee and I need to concentrate on making my thigh muscles stronger to support it. I will say that falling when you are 67 is a bit of a scary moment and I guess I am lucky more wasn't hurt.
Do you have any stability issues and what have you done to help?
25 people like this
29 responses
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
30 Dec 17
I do at times. But I took care of a woman that was in her 90`s with the same problems as you and what I taught her to do was always use something to hold onto while walking so if she feels the pain in the leg to stop. She hot one of the walkers with a seat on it, worked like magic! While shopping in the grocery store she used the cart. She passed away at 93 and was still walking on thos bad knees.
How about getting the surgery? She wanted to but they told her she was to old and the risk was to high that she would not wake up.
7 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
If it continues I will have to get the surgery but I am hoping I can hold it off.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
30 Dec 17
oh i have lot of that. my leg just collapsed the first time 3 yrs. ago and scared me so bad. my daughter keeps telling me to use my walker, which is nice but i don't always feel like grabbing it when i am in a hurry to go to the bathroom, etc. 
i hope your gets stronger. i hear it is good to exercise some parts.
i hope your gets stronger. i hear it is good to exercise some parts.5 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
We exercise 4 days a week but I have taken a two-week break for Christmas, I obviously need to get back to it.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
Yes I know but I am already exercising 4 days a week on average and trying to be healthy and strong and this was a setback to my plans but then plans are like that aren't they lol
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
31 Dec 17
@BelleStarr We can expect things to go our way to some degree, but things start to go exactly as planned we would wonder why.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
30 Dec 17
My younger sister always had knee trouble and had 2 surgeries but even with that they still go out on her now and then.
Thank God my one knee only goes out very rarely.
I'm sorry you fell and I hope something can be done to prevent it from happening again.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
Me too cause when you get to my age falls are a real hazard and I need to be the sturdy one in our duo.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (48256)
• Canada
30 Dec 17
Oh that sounds so scary! I'm glad that you were able to manage to get yourself up again. I don't suffer from bad knees, but I do have a herniated disc that will cause me havoc once in a while when it pops out and sits on my siatic nerve.
I hope that the knee feels better as the day goes on, maybe a bit of either ice or heat will help you.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
•
30 Dec 17
I also suffer from back issues. Sometimes it happens "out of the blue." Ice and a back support are my constant friends now.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
I think it was a little swollen today but it is also almost back to normal. I am so sorry about your back, sciatic pain is the worst.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
•
31 Dec 17
@BelleStarr Thanks for the kind words. Most of the time it is ok. I do preventive exercises to keep it strong and stretched.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
No I am fine. It just shocked me and my knee is a little swollen.
@shaggin (71659)
• United States
31 Dec 17
@BelleStarr my mother and a friend of mine have terrible joint pain from the cholesterol medicine they take.
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
It is just both of my knees and I have no idea where it went, I went from fine to extreme pain about 15 years ago.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
2 Jan 18
I have a knee problem... and sometimes wear one of tbose wrap around, breathable , neoprane knee supports.. I also do some leg exercises using light weights, which strenghthen the knee muscles and other leg muscles to improve general stability... I hope your knee feels better soon 
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
3 Jan 18
Thank you, right now my thigh muscles are hurting and cramping so something else is going on.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
3 Jan 18
@BelleStarr oohhh what a pity ... I hope you soon get it sorted
@MALUSE (69416)
• Germany
31 Dec 17
I suffer from an affliction which is called 'drop attack'. It can happen that I'm standing and the next second sit on the ground or floor. It doesn't occur often but always out of the blue. I'm frightened that it can happen when I'm crossing the street. I don't lose consciousness which is important. So it has nothing to do with epilepsy. I was checked thoroughly in hospital but with the result that nothing can be done. It seems to be caused by a problem in the upper spine.
From the net: "Drop attacks are sudden spontaneous falls while standing or walking, with complete recovery in seconds or minutes. There is usually no recognized loss of consciousness, and the event is remembered. It is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and it can have diverse causes."
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
Wow, that is much scarier than just my knee giving out. It does make it a little worrisome going out and about doesn't it?
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
@MALUSE I can well imagine and one never knows when you might hit your head on something.
@MALUSE (69416)
• Germany
31 Dec 17
@BelleStarr Definitely. I try to always be near a wall or a fence or something else which I can grab. Yet, I have to cross a park when I go to the town centre and there are some paths without anything to grab. But then, it wouldn't help me much anyway because the falling down happens so quickly. It's preceded by a very short dizziness.
Once I was in the garden of our house chatting with three women. They were sitting, I was standing. Suddenly, in mid-sentence, I found myself on the ground. I didn't hurt myself, but I was shocked, of course. The women were nearly as shocked as I was.
1 person likes this
@Rationalwriter (1813)
• Lucknow, India
30 Dec 17
This can happen to anyone if wrong pressure is applied on knees.. and yeah you are lucky that u din get hurt that much... Till it is sore, try to keep it straight everytime u r on the bed and make sure u don't bend it... Everyday when u get up just try to touch your toes with your fingers without bending the knees, it will stretch your muscles and will prevent such sudden collapses...
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
It is a little swollen today and sore but everything else is fine.
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
30 Dec 17
Orthopedic doctors , 2 different ones did the images, I have none in right knee and one drop in left knee!! They wanted to replace them 15 years ago but I was too young, they would need to be replaced again
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
@DianneN I don't want to do it since I never respond well to anesthesia and hnestly I am afraid I will die one of these times from it. The last time I came to when ,y lungs were not functioning and it freaked me out.
@DianneN (246334)
• United States
30 Dec 17
@BelleStarr Wow! That sounds like it's not too far down the road for you. My friend had it done, and is able to ski again, pain free.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325348)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Dec 17
I have fallen over a few times and am always mindful of my age and how I don't really need a broken hip. I really need to build up my leg muscles too. Sometimes i go out on the steps and just step up then step back (backwards), up and down till my legs start to feel tired. Not sure if it will help but hopefully it might.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
My daughter is very much into exercise and she suggested squats and also leaning back against the wall with your knees bent and lowering yourself until you feel it then sliding back up and then back down and that works the quadriceps. It is an exercise I think I can easily do and I suspect so can you.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
@JudyEv lol Yes and let me tell you, quads can scream and don't let anyone tell you otherwise
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325348)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Dec 17
@BelleStarr I'm not sure about that. My quadriceps are getting the jitters already!
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
30 Dec 17
How scary. Glad to hear you were not hurt any worse. I have one bad knee that I hurt some time ago and it gives out every now and then. I am just careful with it. I try not to put my whole weight on it or step down with that knee first. I hope it wont give you anymore problems.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
@Happy2BeMe Oh I am so sorry, My knee was a bit swollen today and very sore but it could be the severe cold as well. I am going to look into a knee brace when I get to Florida.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
30 Dec 17
I should have taken my own advice. Shortly after I wrote this I went for a walk and I went step down off a step of steps. The bottom step was quite high and not thinking I stepped down with my bad knee and it went out on me. Now it is all swollen. It will probably be like that for a few days.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
•
30 Dec 17
My knees have been bad for years now due to past sports injuries. I wear a knee sleeve when I need to do bending activities like gardening. The support definitely is helpful and keeps me from aggravating them. That is a good idea about strengthening your supporting muscles like your thighs.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
I am thinking about adding a brace to the knee at least for a while
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
@dgobucks226 Yes and my daughter checked on that also but it does not aid with stability just pain.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
•
31 Dec 17
@BelleStarr That should be helpful. There are over the counter pills which supposedly help? My neighbor who also has no knee cartilage and received a shot of fluid into his knee to provide cushioning for the joint. Unfortunately it only last 6 months.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158680)
• Boise, Idaho
31 Dec 17
A nice Epsom salt soak might be nice. I do have stability issues. One reason I am house bound. I can't trust my legs anymore. Not strong.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158680)
• Boise, Idaho
31 Dec 17
@BelleStarr ......Good idea to be good to those muscles for a while.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
I do have a six-foot jacuzzi tub but I rarely use it since it is so hard to get out of. I am shocked about my fall and I hope it was just something not too serious.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
Yes I am glad it was at home.When I fell in the year 3 years ago I hurt my wrist quite badly.
1 person likes this
@mom210 (9036)
• United States
31 Dec 17
@BelleStarr at least at home you have the comfort of your house but out you have to find somebody to help ya plus the possible embarrassment.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73198)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
30 Dec 17
Glad to hear that you're alright. I too have a bad right knee. It has had its cartilage removed and also been filled with water. These days it is a bit weaker and when the weather gets really cold it aches.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
Yes, this cold weather has made my knees ache too.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118365)
• Gainesville, Florida
31 Dec 17
Due to many years of playing in organized basketball leagues, and long-distance/cross-country running, my poor knees have taken a beating. For the past two years I have been rehabbing knee injuries (first on my right, then on my left knee), and I am now finally getting back to normal. But my doctor and rehab therapist said I have to be careful because my knees could suddenly give out on me. I lead a very active lifestyle, so it's not something I look forward to. I've had them buckle under me a few times, but not bad enough where I've gone down. But I know one of those days inevitably will come. I take the stairs every day to go up and down to my office on the 3rd floor at work, and I'm always afraid that my knees will give out on me going down the stairs. That wouldn't be a fun fall at all! lol
Happy New Year!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
That is what my daughter is concerned about, she sees more injuries from knee on stairs than anywhere else and she told me that likely I would injure my shoulder severely if I tried to grab onto the rail to stop a fall!!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118365)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Jan 18
@BelleStarr I try to be very careful when ascending and descending the stairs at work, as I don't want to take a nasty fall that will leave me injured or maimed!
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Dec 17
No just scared myself and got a little shaken, this getting old sucks.
