Do Loose Bodies In Knee Go Away? Causes And 9 Treatment Exercises

Loose bodies in the knee can cause pain and dysfunction within the knee. This article will define loose bodies and provide the best treatment for removing loose bodies and decreasing pain. This includes 9 knee treatment exercises with pictures of each exercise.

What Does Loose Body In Knee Mean?

Loose bodies in the knee are pieces of articular cartilage or small fragments of bone that are stuck in the synovial fluid or knee joint fluid. These loose bodies can either be large loose bodies or small loose fragments of cartilage. The size and location of the loose bodies in the knee will affect the type of pain and limitations in movement you may have.

Loose Bodies In Knee Radiology

The way loose bodies in the knee are diagnosed are typically through diagnostic tests. An x ray may be used, however an x ray will only show large bony loose bodies. A CT scan will show higher definition images than an x ray.

An MRI scan is superior than the x ray and CT scan for examining loose cartilage without bony fragments. 

An arthroscopic camera will give the most accurate information on the presence, location and size of loose bodies.

What Does a Loose Body In Knee Feel Like?

The symptoms of a loose body in the knee may vary by person depending on their medical history, however the most common symptoms are:

• Locking or catching of the knee (your knee may become stuck in extension (knee straight) or stuck in flexion (knee bent)
• Decrease range of motion or knee mobility
• Knee pain
• Sensation of something moving  or floating in the knee
• Swelling of the knee joihnt
• Instability
• Buckling

What Causes Loose Bodies In Knee?

The loose bodies in knee causes are:

• Sports injuries
• Trauma such as car crash or any trauma that causes cartilage damage
• Osteoarthritis
• Fibrinous loose bodies from inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Synovial Chondromatosis
• Charcot’s Disease: Progressive degenerative disease of the joint

Do Loose Bodies In Knee Go Away

No, loose bodies in your knee will not go away on their own. Typically the best way for loose bodies to go away are with a surgical procedure known as arthroscopic loose body removal.

There are some non-surgical treatments as well, such as anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy, which I will be discussing. Non-surgical treatment is typically best for less severe causes.

It is always best to see your healthcare provider as they will be the best person to evaluate you and recommend the best treatment for your specific cause. Early diagnosis can help in improving prognosis.

Loose Bodies In Knee Non Surgical Treatment

Physical therapy and the use of anti-inflammtory medications can be used as non surgical treatment options to decrease the symptoms of loose bodies in the knee. It is important to note that although these treatments may help your symptoms they will not help to get rid of the loose bodies in your knee. The only way to get rid of loose bodies in your knee is through surgery.

The medications may help to decrease the swelling and pain in the knee and physical therapy focused on strengthening in the muscles surrounding the knee will help to alleviate symptoms. 

Should Loose Bodies In Knee Be Removed?

Loose bodies in the knee do not necessarily need to be removed. They only need to be removed if they are affecting your quality of life due to symptoms of pain and decrease movement.

Loose Bodies In Knee Surgery

The most common loose bodies in knee treatment is a minimally invasive procedure known as an arthroscopic procedure. This arthroscopic surgery is done by an orthopedic surgeon.

The orthopedic surgeon will identify the location of the loose body and make small incisions on the knee using a special instrument or surgical instrument. This knee arthroscopy is the surgery of choice for treatment of loose bodies. 

How Long Does It Take To Recover From Loose Body In Knee?

Most patients are walking normally without any assistive device within 1 week of surgery. Typically within 6 weeks patients are back to their prior level of function and can resume sports activities. This is a typical protocol and recovery for a typical patient’s, however it is always best to follow your surgeon’s specific protocol and instructions. 

Rehabilitation Program

The physical therapy exercises that are used for non surgical management and post operative management are similar. 

Phase 1 Exercises 0-2 weeks

The focus of phase I is improving range of motion and quad strengthening.

1. Quad Sets

• Start by placing a small rolled up towel underneath either your ankle or knee.
• Tighten or activate your quad muscle and try to push the back of your knee down into the surface below you.

2. Heel Slides

• Place a strap or towel underneath your foot and slowly bend your knee.
• Use your arms to gently pull the strap to continue bending your knee.
• This exercise should feel like tightness or discomfort.
  • If you are feeling pain then do not pull as hard.

3. Step Ups

• You can be creative with the use of a step for this exercise.
• You can use a step in your house, a curb outside or buy a step to perform this exercise.
• Start by stepping up onto the step with your affected leg.
• Now bring your other leg up to the step next to your other foot.

4. SLR

• Lie down on your back with one leg bent and one leg straight.
• Now tighten your quad muscle and lift your leg up to the level of your opposite knee and then slowly lower it back down to the floor.

5. Bike

• This is a great exercise to improve range of motion in the knee.
• You can start with the seat of the bike high and practice half rotations rather than pedaling a full rotation forward.

Phase II 2- 4 weeks

This is the phase that you begin to strengthen the muscles around the knee with body weight exercises.

6. Lunges

• Start with your feet hip width apart.
• Now step forward and perform a lunge by bending both of your knees and lowering yourself down to the ground.

7. Wall Squats

• Lean up against a wall with your feet approximately one foot away from the wall.
• Now slowly squat down while sliding your back down the wall.

Phase 3

Phase 3 is focused on plyometrics and sports specific training.

8. Mini Hopping

9. Running

Summary

The removal of loose bodies in knee can improve pain and function. If you do opt for surgery the surgery is minimal invasive with a relatively short recovery time.