Why can't I bend my knees to squat?

Author: Lenora Russel MD  |  Last update: Saturday, January 10, 2026

Arthritis, which may cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the knees, making it difficult to squat or bend comfortably. Knee injuries, whether sprains, tears or tendonitis, may make it painful to bend and squat.

What does it mean if you can't fully bend your knees?

The inability to bend or straighten the knee may be the result of a true locked knee (in which torn knee cartilage becomes wedged in the joint) or a pseudo-locked knee (in which severe knee pain triggers a defensive reaction that impedes knee movement).

How do you fix bad knees from squatting?

Treatment Options for Knee Pain When Squatting
  1. Strengthen, strengthen, strengthen. ...
  2. Temporarily scale back on problematic activities. ...
  3. Ice, ice baby. ...
  4. Warm up before activity. ...
  5. Use pain relievers. ...
  6. See a physical therapist.

How long does it take for a soft tissue damage knee to heal?

What to expect? Minor soft tissue injuries of the knee take three to six weeks to heal properly. During this recovery time it is important to continue gently moving your knee and to complete gentle exercises, as prescribed, to prevent the muscles around your knee from becoming weak or switching off.

Why is my knee weak when I bend it?

Knee weakness can be caused by a wide range of factors, from injuries to illnesses. The most common cause of an unstable knee is damage to one of the four ligaments that hold the joint together and allow it to function normally: Anterior cruciate. Medial collateral.

Knee Pain When Squatting Down or Kneeling (Do This!)

What are the 3 things that make you go weak in your knees?

The Hidden Culprits Behind Knee Buckling
  • Ligament injury. A ligament injury, such as an ACL tear, can cause knee instability and sudden knee buckling. ...
  • Meniscus tear. The meniscus is cartilage that sits between the thigh and shin bone and absorbs shock whenever you walk, jump, run, etc. ...
  • Osteoarthritis. ...
  • Plica syndrome.

What are three signs of a meniscus tear in the knee?

A torn meniscus causes pain, swelling and stiffness. You also might feel a block to knee motion and have trouble extending your knee fully.

How do you know if you have damaged your knee tissue?

Your physical therapist will evaluate your symptoms and medical history to determine the nature and severity of your soft tissue injury. Knee pain, along with the following symptoms, are most common: Immediate pain along with immediate or delayed swelling. Instability or a feeling that the knee may “give out”

Should I walk on soft tissue damage?

Initially, you should listen to your body and adapt your life to suit. For example you could use a walking aid to help you get around, or prop your arm up to help a sore shoulder. Too much rest can slow down your recovery so, as soon as you can, start moving and using the affected area.

Should you wear a knee brace to bed?

You shouldn't wear a knee brace when sitting still or sleeping. He also notes that you don't have to wear a brace just because you have knee arthritis. You should only wear one if it decreases pain with activity and helps you move better.

Why won't my knees let me squat?

Tendon tears and ligament sprains can also make it painful to squat. Even when these injuries are mild, they can cause discomfort when you move or put pressure on the leg, especially if you do so for an extended period. Depending on the tissue affected, you'll get pain in different areas of the knee.

Should I stop squatting if I have knee pain?

Stop at the point where you feel muscle pain, but continue to perform the exercise regularly, so that the non-painful range will increase as thigh, buttocks and core muscles become stronger. “If done correctly, squatting is well tolerated by people with osteoarthritis of the knees,” says Harrell.

How to strengthen a weak knee?

10 Exercises for Weak Knees
  1. Wall or Chair Squats. If your knees are weak, stand in front of a chair or against a wall while you do squats so that you don't lose your balance. ...
  2. Full Chair Sits-to-Stands. ...
  3. Lunges. ...
  4. Straight Leg Lifts. ...
  5. Side Leg Raises. ...
  6. Short-Arcs. ...
  7. Step-ups or Knee Marching. ...
  8. Calf and Abductor Raises.

What is the #1 mistake that makes bad knees worse?

1. You aren't moving enough. One of the biggest mistakes we see patients with knee pain make is to begin using their knees less.

Is it better to rest or walk with knee pain?

You can usually treat knee pain at home with the RICE method: Rest: Stop the physical activity that caused the pain to avoid making the injury worse. Ice: Apply an ice pack or cold compress for 15 to 20 minutes every hour for the first day after your injury. After one day, you can apply ice every three to four hours.

What are the 4 stages of soft tissue healing?

Generally speaking, the body's different tissues (muscle, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, etc) follow the 4 stages of healing which comprise of Bleeding, Inflammation, Proliferation and Remodelling. Through these stages, the injured tissue will be destroyed and replaced by living tissue in the body.

What is the hardest knee injury to recover from?

A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the hardest sports injury that takes more recovery time. It is usually 12 months.

Is it good to massage soft tissue damage?

Massage can play an important role in the process of injury rehabilitation. Massage encourages blood circulatory movement and relaxes muscles. Massage helps to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to soft tissues and organs.

Why can't I bend my knee fully?

This condition can be caused by a number of reasons including: running or walking, kneecap being too high in the joint, weak thigh muscles, tight hamstrings, tight Achilles tendons, injury or overuse. This condition can be diagnosed by a physical exam. Treatments can vary depending on your age, health and pain level.

How do I know if my knee cartilage is deteriorating?

What are symptoms of cartilage damage in the knee? With knee cartilage injuries, pain and locking of the knee can lead to difficulty with walking, running, and other activities. Pain is the most obvious knee cartilage damage symptom, but an equally frequent warning sign is recurring knee swelling.

How do I know if I tore my meniscus?

Symptoms of a meniscus tear may be different for each person, but some of the most common symptoms are: Pain in the knee joint: usually on the inside (medial), outside (lateral) or back of the knee. Swelling. Catching or locking of the knee joint.

Can you squat with a torn meniscus?

The patient should avoid pivoting and squatting and should work on keeping the quadriceps muscles strong. If the swelling and pain have not resolved in 6 weeks, they usually won't without surgical intervention.

How do I know if I tore something in my knee?

Symptoms may vary, however a popping sound, followed by limited knee movement and swelling is common. Pain, if it occurs, is often sudden and severe. The knee may feel loose, and you may be unable to put any weight on it.

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