With instability of the knee, the person feels that they cannot trust the joint, which may give way and not allow confident movement.

Causes of general knee instability
A number of conditions may cause the knee to feel unstable, including -
- torn or avulsed cruciate ligament
- torn anterolateral ligament
- torn collateral ligament
- torn or avulsed meniscus or meniscus root
- avulsed meniscotibial or meniscofemoral ligament
- popliteus tendon tear
Causes of patellar instability
A number of conditions may cause just the patella to feel unstable, including -
- patella alta
- torn medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL)
- trochlear dysplasia
- patellar dysplasia
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Pages
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FORUM DISCUSSIONS
Instability + chronic ACL tear, treatment options?
Proximal Tibiofibular Joint Instability?
CLINICAL PUBLICATIONS
Altered Tibiofemoral Joint Contact Mechanics and Kinematics in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis and Episodic Complaints of Joint Instability. Farrokhi S, Voycheck CA, Klatt BA, Gustafson JA, Tashman S and Fitzgerald GK. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2014 Jun; 29(6): 629–635.