Twisted knee with a cracking sound, swelling and pain, unable to walk.

A clicking sound accompanied by swelling, pain, and inability to walk after twisting the knee is usually caused by conditions such as meniscus injury, knee osteoarthritis, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, patellar dislocation, or fractures. Treatment depends on the specific condition. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Meniscus Injury

Intense physical activity or heavy manual labor may lead to meniscal wear and damage, potentially causing the aforementioned symptoms. Under a doctor's guidance, patients can take medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, acetaminophen tablets, or celecoxib capsules for treatment.

2. Knee Osteoarthritis

Due to aging and long-term joint strain, bone spurs and degenerative changes may develop, resulting in destruction and detachment of articular cartilage and formation of loose bodies within the joint, which can easily cause the above issues. Patients should go directly to a reputable hospital for arthroscopic surgery to remove the loose body, which can provide effective treatment.

3. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Rupture

If the knee is twisted during exercise, it may result in ACL rupture. A snapping sound is often heard at the time of injury, along with severe pain. In such cases, patients should promptly visit a hospital for anteroposterior and lateral X-rays and knee MRI examinations. Depending on the findings, surgical reconstruction of the ACL may be required.

4. Patellar Dislocation

When the knee suffers impact or trauma, patellar dislocation may occur. A popping sound is typically heard during dislocation, followed by swelling and pain. In mild cases, when the patient bends the knee, the patella dislocates laterally over the femoral condyle, but spontaneously reduces upon straightening the knee. However, in severe cases, surgical interventions such as osteotomy with realignment or patellar tendon transfer may be necessary.

5. Fracture

Injuries from accidents during exercise or traffic collisions may also lead to the above symptoms. In such situations, the leg should be kept immobilized immediately, and prompt medical attention should be sought for proper fixation and treatment.

In addition, these symptoms could also be caused by bone tumors. It is recommended that patients seek timely medical evaluation once such symptoms appear and receive appropriate treatment based on diagnosis.