What makes my legs buckle under me so that I fall down from time to time? It doesn't hurt when I fall and I can't predict when this will happen.
I do have arthritis - is this a symptom of arthritis or something else?
Hi,
I have had RA since 1990 and when my hip joints are badly inflamed with a lot of pain I have had my leg give out, almost falling down steps a couple of times. Also sometimes my knees have been bad and a knee will give out. You should talk to your rheumy if you have one or your internist about this. Also, hold on to railings anytime you are going up and downstairs because if you don't know it is going to happen then you could really hurt yourself. Do you know what type of arthritis you have? Mine is rheumatoid so I take numerous medications. After the stair episode, my rheumy injected my hip with lidocaine and prednisone and haven't had that happen again. Good luck, it could be orthopedic since women are famous for unstable knees.
Donna70
Hi,
I have had RA since 1990 and when my hip joints are badly inflamed with a lot of pain I have had my leg give out, almost falling down steps a couple of times. Also sometimes my knees have been bad and a knee will give out. You should talk to your rheumy if you have one or your internist about this. Also, hold on to railings anytime you are going up and downstairs because if you don't know it is going to happen then you could really hurt yourself. Do you know what type of arthritis you have? Mine is rheumatoid so I take numerous medications. After the stair episode, my rheumy injected my hip with lidocaine and prednisone and haven't had that happen again. Good luck, it could be orthopedic since women are famous for unstable knees.
Donna70
Hi!
Thank you for taking the time to respond to me!
I don't have RA, just osteoarthritis. I don't have
much pain, only major stiffness so that I walk like
a toy soldier!
When I fall down, it's like my legs have suddenly
disappeared from under me. There is no pain.
With or without pain, you have to admit that this
is very scary!
A knee that buckles (or alternatively locks in place) is a classic sign of osteoarthritis. See an Orthopedist now to salvage as much of the knee cartilage as possible - and put off having to get a knee replacement.
Last edited by AuntieLeela; 10-31-2008 at 07:54 PM.
Reason: spelling
Where do you have the OA? In your spine? If so, do you have spinal compression or stenosis? That could certainly cause weakness and problems in your legs...
Thank you all for your replies to my question about my knee
which goes out from under me from time to time.
I know that I have OA but I don't think I have spinal stenosis.
Another strange thing - when my knee(s) have gone out in the
past I have been under stress. What is the connection here?
Has anyone heard of this?
It really sounds like just OA but only an Orthopedic Surgeon would know for sure. Pain and loss of support are classic signs of OA. It gets worse. Pain can be addressed several ways unfortunately loss of support can't be restored (unless it is torn ligaments) but you can wear an unloader brace that will give you support...they are sort of uncomfortable though.
Re: Unusual leg problems 
