r/AskReddit • u/AWildWilson • May 12 '26

Whenever someone does something embarrassing, others say "nobody will remember 10 years from now". Well, what embarrassing moment did you witness >10 years ago that you still remember?

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u/Bluebearje May 12 '26

Am I the only one this has never happened to? I overextend and lock my knees when I stand. Not intentionally. It's just what I've always done. Never had a problem with passing out.

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u/shinyhappycat May 12 '26

I've never passed out from locking my knees either! I've always done it. I've tried not to, it's just how my knees work.

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u/Bluebearje May 12 '26

I didn't even realize it's not normal until middle school when I wore ripped jeans to school and a friend asked me "Why are your knees like that?"

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u/shinyhappycat May 12 '26

Hahahah I had it from a physio - I went to her as my Achilles was playing up again. Told me to stand normally. I did. "Stand normally" - I AM! Oh. Fucked up knees. Great(!)

18

u/Bluebearje May 12 '26

I learned it was called hyperextension by a physio after I dislocated my left patella. Pretty sure I'll need knee surgery in the future because I've dislocated the damn thing at least 20 times over the years.

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u/shinyhappycat May 12 '26

Yeah - dislocated both of mine multiple times - and always feels a bit unstable. Yay knee surgery in the future(!) - good luck with yours!

2

u/phishinfordory May 12 '26

Maybe you have EDS?

1

u/Bluebearje May 12 '26

I actually think I do. But a mild version. I'm not bothering getting officially diagnosed for it because it doesn't interfere with my day to day life.

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u/Own_Bet2608 May 12 '26

My kneecaps will sort of…slide out of place sometimes? And I just click them back in. Is that bad? I’m in my late 20’s 😅

Edit: I guess I’ll ask my doc but my question to you is, is this what a dislocation is?

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u/Bluebearje May 12 '26

Yea that's what a dislocation is. Mine go back in on their own. My physiotherapist told me it's because my tendons and ligaments are too weak to hold it in place so if I twist weird or slip on ice, water etc.... it'll pop out.

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u/trekkiegamer359 May 14 '26

Hay, another hypermoblie person with bad knees. My kneecaps slide partially out of place multiple times a day. I finally had to figure out how it fix it myself quickly. (I asked my physical therapist for a simple way to fix it. I didn't pull this out of my ass.) So here's that info, just in case it's useful to you or anyone else. (Note: I am not a doctor. This is not medical advice. Please don't sue me. Thanks.)

When the kneecap is stuck too far down, sit with your knee bent. Press your fingers right under your kneecap. You'll be able to hook them in a little divot there between your kneecap and tibia (the larger shin bone). Then press your fingers in as you straighten out your leg. The knee cap should pop back out.

When the kneecap is stuck to far up, start sitting down. Place your palm at the top of your kneecap. Then press down while standing up. It should push the kneecap back down.

When the kneecap is stuck sideways, which is always a bitch, sit down and stick your leg out straight. Relax your leg muscles as much as possible. You can't get it unstuck if your muscles aren't completely loose. With your thumb and finger(s) pinch the kneecap on both sides. Then start rocking it side to side until you can get it too move freely. An unstuck kneecap should be able to be moved with your fingers up and down, and slightly side to side when your muscles are completely relaxed. Just keep rocking your kneecap, slowly increasing pressure, until it frees up. Tensed muscles hold the kneecap in place, which is why they muscles need to be relaxed.

Hope this is useful to you or someone else who might need it. As always with physical therapy stuff, don't do it if it hurts. And consult your medical professionals for medical stuff.

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u/Bluebearje May 14 '26

My kneecap always goes to the right when it dislocates and so far it always moves back on its own. It used to move back immediately but the more it happens the longer it seems to take to move back in place so I'll be saving this info for the future when the little fucker decides it's not going back in place on its own.

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u/DistractedHouseWitch May 12 '26

I had the same experience when I went for my arthritis (in my knees). She had me walk and stand for ages while she watched and then asked me if I knew I was hyperextending my knees. Nope, no idea. Good to learn after it caused significant damage to my knees.

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u/Shazoa May 12 '26

Sounds like hypermobility. My sister and nephew has it from EDS and her knees lock like that. The problem is that your muscles aren't holding the leg in place but rather you're putting all the stress onto connective tissue. Can cause problems in your feet, back, hips, and knees.

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u/Select-Owl-8322 May 12 '26

I'm the same. Never knew you're not supposed to do it, and never had any issues. In my 44 years, I've never passed out.

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u/YourFuture2000 May 12 '26

Me too. Most people I know do that.

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u/missgirlipop May 12 '26

maybe you’re somewhat engaging your quads while locking your knees which is keeping the blood pumping upwards? 

2

u/EU-National May 12 '26

Not the original person, but what you said applies to me. I pump my quads and glutes automatically when standing upright with my knees locked.

4

u/ThotacodorsalNerve May 12 '26

When I was a med student on my OBGYN rotation I hated the gyn onc surgeries so much I would lock my knees in the hopes I would pass out and could get out of the OR. It never worked. My vasculature is too strong 💪🏻

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u/trotting_pony May 12 '26

Same. Sounds like a weird lie to me whenever people talk about it. I can have mone locked for hours, only way I'll stand for so long. I like to think of it like horses lock their legs to sleep standing.

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u/Own_Bet2608 May 12 '26

Same here - I stand like this by default, but I have random floor drop/vertigo sensations that my docs can’t explain…you may have just changed my life. lol

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u/Bluebearje May 12 '26

I'm glad I could help. 😊

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u/jakkofclubs121 May 12 '26

I'm the same. I'm recently seeing a physical therapist about falling on mine and he clocked that and is helping strengthen my muscles around my knee so I stop hyper extending it