I hurt my knee skiing about 20 months ago and am still struggling with it. I have been to the Orthopedic doctor and he says I am all better, but it feels unstable and "pops" out about once every 4-5 weeks. Its usually not terrible, but very noticeable and painful for the next 3 days. I am 90% sure it is a MCL that has healed loose. Anyone heard of or tried prolotherapy for something like that? Anyone else with "loose" knees?

Cota, what "pops out"? The knee has many parts. What was your diagnosis originally?

If you hurt your MCL, it is true that this ligament is almost never repaired surgically; however, I would assume your ortho sent you to PT possibly?

There have been a few other threads on here re prolotherapy; I don't know if any are about knee injuries specifically. I believe prolo's success is dependent on a few things:

1. The type of injury you have (usually ligament, tendon, or other type of fibrocartilage [like spinal disc] responds best I believe)

2. How good the prolo doc is at injections

And even that doesn't really predict success as far as I can tell. Prolotherapy doesn't have a lot of peer-reviewed research behind it so statistical outcomes are hard to say as far as I know.

I have heard both personal friend accounts and internet climber accounts of using prolotherapy for various ligament/tendon/disc injuries in various joints of the body all with vastly differing outcomes, some with basically "cured" outcomes and some which actually degraded and became worse post-prolo.

It is a very expensive procedure, and if you haven't tried physical therapy (and/or you haven't kept up on your exercises) I wouldwouldwould recommend you try such conservative treatment first.

Most people with pain due to ligament looseness can see significant improvement if they just make a point to keep the surrounding muscles of the joint stronger, especially the muscles that aid the problem ligament in question in stabilizing against the excess motion. I should know; I have a whole-body ligamentous laxity disorder and have a lot of general chronic joint injuries as a result.

P.S. Remember that you can always seek a second opinion, preferably from an ortho with a sub-specialty in sports med.

Thanks, my knee tends to give way straight to the side, as if I was kicked on the outside part. I do tons of PT, I actually posted that right after it happened while I was doing it. I can hike and climb, usually without pain or looseness, but I love to be in the backcountry and get nervous about it happening, especially while on 3rd or 4th class approaches and descents.
I cant find any real info about it (ie peer reviewed journals) but have heard mixed results as well. If I don't do something then I will just have to wait until something drastic happens, and hopefully while at work since I don't have 30,000$ for surgery.
I had not heard of degradation from it though. I will have to keep looking and asking. Thanks again!

Have you thought about wearing a functional knee brace on approaches/descents? Has your doc ever talked to you about this? If not, maybe you need to find a new doc who understands an athlete's lifestyle and works with you accordingly. A lot of docs think doing 1st class is "good enough," knowwhatimean?

I take it you had no ACL injury at the same time as your MCL? (Injury to both is common.)

Maybe these links can help you a little on some options.

http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/kneegeeks/9978307401.html

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000115/411.html

I'm not sure if this is exactly the same as your situation, but I have had similar knee problems. I had a bucket handle tear in the medial meniscus in my left knee. I had this repaired (pinned) about 10 years ago, but began having the same issues 2 years later. I would be fine for months on end of climbing, biking, running, etc. But every once and a while (maybe 5 times a year) I would have a feeling of something "popping out". I would then simply straighten my leg and it would "pop" back. I lived with this for about 8 years until it locked about one month ago.

I then went to another orthopedic surgeon and he decided to remove the piece of torn meniscus and now I am currently doing PT. From my experience with this, I have learned that where you lack in joint strength, its best to make it up with muscle strength.

Good luck with finding out what is wrong.

I also would suggest going to a qualified physical therapist. You will get way more for your money. Historically, "miracle pills" rarely work, so put the time and effort required into PT and you should have acceptable results.