Upon seeing my doctor for the popping, clicking, and swelling in my knee, I was told I have a “loose body” in my knee joint. What is a loose body, and where could it have come from?
A loose body is a piece of tissue from within a joint that has somehow become dislodged and floats freely in the joint. It can get caught between the joint when it moves, causing the joint to pop, click, catch, or even lock up. There are several conditions in the knee that can be sources of a loose body. A loose body can form if a section of the meniscus has torn loose, either from trauma or degeneration. A bone chip from a fracture can also become a loose body.
Another possible source for a loose body is osteochondritis dessicans (OCD), a condition in which a piece of cartilage and the underlying bone have been damaged. In some cases, the damaged fragment separates from the bone and floats freely within the joint. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments.
The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit http://www.zehrcenter.com
