Is it normal that my knee bends weird and temporarily dislocates?

Doctors haven't really been able to figure this out. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

My knees have always bent backwards in an arc when I lock them while standing, almost like they bend backwards. This has been a lifelong thing.

I also have a history of hip dysplasia, if that matters. It's been suggested that it may have had something to do with how my knees are aligned.

The temporary dislocation thing, however, hasn't happened for a long time (and I hope it never happens again; it's excruciatingly painful). It has always been in my right knee, which also sometimes lightly pops/cracks when bent. If my knee was bent at just the right angle, it would pop out of my kneecap, lock up, and give a tightening sensation that wouldn't stop until the knee popped itself back into place anywhere from a minute to five or so minutes later. Most horrible physical pain I've ever felt in my life.

The dislocations always happened during growth spurts, and were very mild and not too painful during my first one at about 7-8, and were much worse around 11-13. I've largely avoided tightly bending my knees since because it scares me. I have sat at low-sitting desks and tables with my knees bent slightly to each side because my legs are long, and had it feel like it was going to do it, but I would instinctively jerk or kick my leg to stop it. That happens about once every couple of years or so.

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50% Normal
Based on 6 votes (3 yes)
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Comments ( 2 )
  • Doesnormalmatter

    I dunno mate. Doctors are your best hope. If they don't know what is up, then we definently don't have a damn clue. Never heard of anything like this before.

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  • LetsTacoAboutIt

    I think I have something really similar, but so far the doctor isn't sure either.
    I've also got knees that almost look like they go backwards in a sort of concave shape. Sometimes if I sit up on my knees, one of them feels like it slid out of place and is super painful and stiff. I've got to straighten out my leg to fix it, and it makes a giant snap (gross!).
    My doctor sent me to a rheumatologist, but I haven't had my appointment yet. He did look into something called EDS for me, but that might be because of other symptoms (really stretchy skin, bad bruising, weirdly flexible joints etc.)

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