Locking Knees - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Redlemon · 06-09-2009, 10:22 AM

I have this voice in the back of my head telling me that it is a bad idea to lock my knees, and that this is always true. So, I've been paying attention to my knees throughout the day, and trying to figure out when I lock my knees. I already was pretty sure that I lock my knees when standing still. However, I also found out that I lock them mid-stride while walking; when my "up" foot passes my planted foot, I lock my knee and pivot forward on that leg, allowing gravity to do the work instead of my muscles.

I've tried to Google around for information on locking knees, but I'm not finding what I want.

So... am I walking wrong? Am I standing wrong?

Skitto · 06-09-2009, 10:27 AM

Do you have pain in your feet or knees?

Redlemon · 06-09-2009, 10:30 AM

No pain, I'm just wondering. Low back is fine as well. But, if I need to change my habits, better to do it before the pain starts.

shakran · 06-09-2009, 10:30 AM

As a general rule, if you are capable of doing something without pain or tools, then you are automatically OK to do it. In other words, cleaning out your ear with your car key is suspect because it involves a tool. Poking your eye with your finger is suspect because it involves pain. Locking your knees involves neither, and as long as you don't just stand there doing it for half an hour (at which point you should feel pain from your feet for bearing your weight without moving for that long, if nothing else, therefore making the activity suspect again), you won't suffer any ill effects from it.

genuinegirly · 06-09-2009, 11:13 AM

My brother always told me "never lock your knees, it's bad on your joints!"
No idea what his resources were for telling me that. I just figure it's better to avoid joint pain.

I have one exception: I lock my knees when I realize that I'm blacking out due to hypotension, I don't want to fall over, and I don't have anything sturdy to grab.

amonkie · 06-09-2009, 04:09 PM

I used to be able to lock my knees without pain up until I fell down a flight of stairs and landed badly about 6 months ago. Now, if I accidentally lock my right knee, it will literally bring me to the ground in pain. I really try to avoid locking my knees now.

JumpinJesus · 06-09-2009, 07:49 PM

I tried locking my knees once. I found out that if you don't lock your feet and shins along with them, someone will steal them.

Redlemon · 06-10-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genuinegirly

My brother always told me "never lock your knees, it's bad on your joints!"
No idea what his resources were for telling me that. I just figure it's better to avoid joint pain.

OK, so I'm not the only one with this crazy idea... but are we both crazy?

genuinegirly · 06-10-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlemon

OK, so I'm not the only one with this crazy idea... but are we both crazy?

Likely.

MSD · 06-11-2009, 12:26 PM

When you lock your knee, the joint is supporting your weight instead of muscle. The meniscus in particular does not regenerate, whereas muscle does. While walking, you also risk hyperextension if you slip or misstep.

Quote:

Originally Posted by genuinegirly

I have one exception: I lock my knees when I realize that I'm blacking out due to hypotension, I don't want to fall over, and I don't have anything sturdy to grab.

Locking your knees compresses a particular set of nerves connected to the vagus nerve, which commonly causes fainting. You know those Funniest Videos shows where people in the military at attention, people in choirs, people at weddings, etc. faint? It's from locking their knees and triggering a vasovagal syncope.

Zeraph · 06-11-2009, 04:29 PM

Eh, its more like, don't lock your knees and then put undue pressure on them. Just locking them won't hurt you. It's a natural movement for the body to save energy.

MSD · 06-12-2009, 08:17 AM

It may save energy, but it stresses parts of the joint that do not regenerate.

Redlemon · 06-12-2009, 08:45 AM

Ah, thanks MSD. That makes sense. Now, time to unlearn 40 years of habits...

06-09-2009, 10:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Locking Knees I have this voice in the back of my head telling me that it is a bad idea to lock my knees, and that this is always true. So, I've been paying attention to my knees throughout the day, and trying to figure out when I lock my knees. I already was pretty sure that I lock my knees when standing still. However, I also found out that I lock them mid-stride while walking; when my "up" foot passes my planted foot, I lock my knee and pivot forward on that leg, allowing gravity to do the work instead of my muscles. I've tried to Google around for information on locking knees, but I'm not finding what I want. So... am I walking wrong? Am I standing wrong? __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

06-09-2009, 10:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
Skitto Crazy Location: Westernmost Continental U.S.	Do you have pain in your feet or knees? __________________ Yeah, well, you're just that awesome, I guess. It's not like I guessed so anyways.

06-09-2009, 10:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	No pain, I'm just wondering. Low back is fine as well. But, if I need to change my habits, better to do it before the pain starts. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

06-09-2009, 11:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	My brother always told me "never lock your knees, it's bad on your joints!" No idea what his resources were for telling me that. I just figure it's better to avoid joint pain. I have one exception: I lock my knees when I realize that I'm blacking out due to hypotension, I don't want to fall over, and I don't have anything sturdy to grab. __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

06-09-2009, 04:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	I used to be able to lock my knees without pain up until I fell down a flight of stairs and landed badly about 6 months ago. Now, if I accidentally lock my right knee, it will literally bring me to the ground in pain. I really try to avoid locking my knees now. __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

06-09-2009, 10:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	As a general rule, if you are capable of doing something without pain or tools, then you are automatically OK to do it. In other words, cleaning out your ear with your car key is suspect because it involves a tool. Poking your eye with your finger is suspect because it involves pain. Locking your knees involves neither, and as long as you don't just stand there doing it for half an hour (at which point you should feel pain from your feet for bearing your weight without moving for that long, if nothing else, therefore making the activity suspect again), you won't suffer any ill effects from it.

06-09-2009, 07:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
JumpinJesus Junkie Location: Chicago	I tried locking my knees once. I found out that if you don't lock your feet and shins along with them, someone will steal them. __________________ "I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

06-11-2009, 04:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
Zeraph Banned Location: The Cosmos	Eh, its more like, don't lock your knees and then put undue pressure on them. Just locking them won't hurt you. It's a natural movement for the body to save energy.

06-12-2009, 08:17 AM	#12 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	It may save energy, but it stresses parts of the joint that do not regenerate.

06-12-2009, 08:45 AM	#13 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Ah, thanks MSD. That makes sense. Now, time to unlearn 40 years of habits... __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.