A 48-year-old male presented to the clinic with complaints of recurring episodes of knee buckling. Initially, these episodes occurred only once every few months, but they had progressively increased in frequency to almost daily occurrences, often happening at random. Although he had not experienced a fall, he was concerned that his knee might eventually give way completely.
The client had been attempting to strengthen the knee independently at the gym; however, he found that this appeared to aggravate the issue rather than improve it. He described a general feeling of tightness in the leg but reported minimal pain, aside from occasional aching after prolonged periods on his feet or following long walks. His medical history included a knee twist injury sustained during a rugby game at age 22, which he believed had fully healed.
On assessment, the client demonstrated a full range of motion in the knee, and clinical testing indicated that the joint itself was structurally sound. However, there was notable tenderness beneath the kneecap and along both the inner and outer aspects of the front of the knee. Signs of nerve tension were also identified in the front of the leg, likely linked to residual tightness from the previous injury.
Treatment focused on reducing muscle tension and improving neuromuscular control. Over the course of three sessions, dry needling was used to release tight musculature, alongside targeted soft tissue techniques applied to the quadriceps and front of the knee. The client was also provided with a simple home exercise programme aimed at relieving tension and strengthening the surrounding structures.
By the end of the treatment plan, the episodes of knee buckling had completely resolved.