We affiliate cracking and snapping sounds with breaking, so it’s comprehensible {that a} noisy knee would possibly provide you with pause or make you marvel, “Why does my knee pop?”
Sadly, there’s no single definitive reply. Knee popping is quite common and happens for quite a lot of causes, starting from comparatively benign to probably regarding.
That can assist you higher perceive the symphonic vary of your knees, we spoke with a number of medical specialists to get their tackle knee popping, when to see a health care provider, and maintain your knees wholesome.
What Causes Knee Popping or Snapping?
The sensations and sounds of knee popping, clicking, or snapping have varied causes. Listed below are a number of the commonest culprits:
1. Fuel bubbles
“Regular popping and snapping might be from the creation of unfavorable strain in a joint, which causes gasoline bubbles to type, leading to that generally cringeworthy noise that you just hear,” says Dr. Timothy Gibson, MD, orthopedic surgeon and medical director of the MemorialCare Joint Substitute Middle at Orange Coast Medical Middle in Fountain Valley, California.
“This phenomenon is commonest in your knuckles, however it could actually additionally happen within the knees,” he explains. Fuel bubbles are sometimes painless and never regarding.
2. Tissue motion
It’s potential that knee cracking might be attributable to friction between the assorted constructions of your knee, says Dr. Steve Yoon, MD, director of The Regenerative Sports activities and Joint Clinic at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, California, and head workforce doctor for the Los Angeles Clippers.
“Knee popping can come from inside or exterior the joint,” he explains. “Contained in the joint, the popping could also be on account of irregular cartilage surfaces rubbing or articulating in opposition to one another. Exterior the joint, there are tendons that may grow to be tight and infected, which might transfer and pop over different surrounding constructions.”
In lots of instances, relaxation, ice, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine may also help alleviate signs, however a health care provider ought to consider any important knee ache or swelling.
3. Meniscus tears
The meniscus is a chunk of cartilage within the knee that gives cushioning and stability. When it’s torn — normally on account of aggressive twisting and rotation, deep bending, or joint degeneration — it’s possible you’ll expertise knee popping in addition to a sense of locking or instability, ache, swelling, and problem bending and straightening the knee.
A physician ought to consider a meniscus tear. “Meniscus or cartilage tears are sometimes handled with arthroscopic or microsurgery to take away a broken or torn piece of tissue,” Dr. Gibson says.
In some instances, relaxation, ice, and over-the-counter medicine are beneficial. Bodily remedy may additionally be beneficial.
4. Plica syndrome
Widespread amongst runners and athletes, plica syndrome can result in knee clicking and popping, says Dr. Joseph J. Ciotola, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Orthopedics and Joint Substitute, Mercy Medical Middle in Baltimore. “A plica is an infolding of the liner of the knee, and it will get caught between the kneecap and the femur bone,” he says.
In some instances, the ensuing knee popping is painless and never a trigger for concern. Nevertheless, if the knee turns into infected, arthroscopic surgical procedure could also be required to trim or take away the tissue.
5. Arthritis
Dr. Ciotola says that knee crepitus, which is a crunching or crackling (just like the sound of crumpling a plastic bag), could also be an early signal of osteoarthritis, a situation that causes cartilage deterioration.
Osteoarthritis is a persistent however manageable situation, with therapies together with cortisone or lubricant injections.
Remedies for Knee Popping and Snapping
“Knees that have painless popping and snapping are normally regular and don’t want any remedy,” says Dr. Gibson. “Painful knee popping could reply to relaxation, ice, elevation, and avoidance of the exercise inflicting the ache.”
Relying in your particular situation, your healthcare supplier could suggest a number of of the next therapies.
1. Bodily remedy
“Bodily remedy can generally assist by strengthening the muscle surrounding the painful, noisy knee,” Dr. Gibson says.
2. Injections
Steroid or a gelatinous hyaluronic acid injection “can lubricate the joint and assist quickly,” says Dr. Gibson. “Biologic injections, reminiscent of stem cells, are being utilized by some, however are nonetheless investigational and are very costly.”
3. Surgical procedure
“Mechanical locking and catching of a knee, on account of a meniscus or cartilage tear, is commonly handled with arthroscopic or microsurgery to take away a broken or torn piece of tissue,” Dr. Gibson says.
When Ought to I Fear About Noisy Joints?
Knee popping by itself isn’t normally trigger for concern. Do verify with a health care provider for those who expertise ongoing:
- Discomfort or ache that doesn’t go away or worsens over time
- Swelling
- Mechanical locking of the knee
A medical skilled can conduct a bodily examination, suggest additional testing (e.g., an MRI), and prescribe the suitable remedy.
Suggestions for Wholesome Knees
“One of the best ways to take care of wholesome knees is to keep away from injuring them within the first place,” Dr. Gibson says. Listed below are some methods to safeguard your knees:
1. Preserve a wholesome weight
That is the very first thing most physicians will let you know. “Your knees really feel 4 further kilos of joint reactive pressure with every further pound of physique weight,” Dr. Gibson says. Maintaining your weight inside a wholesome vary will reduce the load in your joints and assist cut back put on and tear.
2. Go low affect
Excessive-impact actions that pound on the joints, like working and leaping, can exacerbate knee ache and even worsen circumstances like osteoarthritis, in keeping with Dr. Ciotola.
“Most arthritis is genetic, however you may speed up it by beating on the joints,” he says. Low-impact train, like indoor biking or swimming, can maintain you match with out damaging your joints.
3. Don’t skimp on energy coaching
Power coaching affords numerous advantages, however particularly increase the muscle tissues round your knee could assist mitigate joint ache related to lack of cartilage, says Dr. Ciotola.
“Maintaining the quad muscle tissues robust across the knee will assist sufferers tolerate the signs of arthritis significantly better,” he says. “Individuals who have very robust legs will tolerate a really worn-out joint significantly better than a sofa potato.”
4. Focus in your type
Whereas train may also help knee ache, be certain that to progress your weight step by step and ensure your type is on level when squatting or lunging.
“Lifting heavy weights with dangerous type might be the worst factor you are able to do [for your knees],” says Ciotola. “That’s only a set-up to tear down the cartilage.”
5. Get evaluated by a bodily therapist
Bodily remedy isn’t only a type of remedy. A bodily therapist can establish muscle imbalances and defective motion patterns that, over time, can result in accidents. Stretches, mobility work, and strengthening workouts may also help maintain your knees useful and feeling good.
