The Duke and the Doctor website cites a 2007 "Annals of Internal Medicine" study that found that 12 percent of surveyed adults from the ages of 36 to 94 said they had suffered knee buckling in the past three months. Dr. David Felson, the study author, said that knee buckling leads to falls and fractures, and causes people to avoid certain activities. Strengthening the muscles that surround the knee can help to stabilize the joint.
Step 1
Perform exercises to strengthen the quadriceps muscles on the front of the upper leg. According to Dr. Felson, quadriceps weakness puts people at a risk of knee buckling. Work these muscles in exercises like squats, leg presses, leg extensions and lunges.
Step 2
Strengthen the hamstring muscles on the back of the upper leg. Engage in compound exercises like deadlifts and lunges, as well as isolating exercises such as leg curls.
Step 3
Stand on a step or elevated surface with just your toes on the step to work your calves. Then raise up as high as you can on your toes, hold the highest point for a second and return to the starting position. Work the anterior tibialis at the front of the leg by simply reversing the move to stand on the surface with your heels and then pull your toes as far up towards your leg as you can. Strengthening the lower leg muscles helps to provide strength and control to the knee.
Step 4
Return to sport-specific exercises or movements that used to cause your knee to lock up. This allows your muscles to develop an anticipatory reaction to prevent your knee from buckling or locking up.
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