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 surprise, “Why does my knee pop?”
Sadly, there’s no single definitive reply. Knee popping is quite common and happens for plenty of causes, starting from comparatively benign to probably regarding.
That will help you higher perceive the symphonic vary of your knees, we spoke with just a few medical consultants to get their tackle knee popping, when to see a health care provider, and easy methods to 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 among the commonest culprits:
1. Gasoline bubbles
“Regular popping and snapping might be from the creation of unfavorable strain in a joint, which causes fuel bubbles to kind, leading to that typically cringeworthy noise that you simply hear,” says Dr. Timothy Gibson, MD, orthopedic surgeon and medical director of the MemorialCare Joint Alternative Heart at Orange Coast Medical Heart in Fountain Valley, California.
“This phenomenon is commonest in your knuckles, however it may additionally happen within the knees,” he explains. Gasoline bubbles are sometimes painless and never regarding.
2. Tissue motion
It’s potential that knee cracking might be brought on by friction between the varied 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 group 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 resulting from irregular cartilage surfaces rubbing or articulating in opposition to one another. Exterior the joint, there are tendons that may develop into tight and infected, which might transfer and pop over different surrounding constructions.”
In lots of instances, relaxation, ice, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory treatment can assist alleviate signs, however a health care provider ought to consider any vital 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 resulting from 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 issue 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 treatment are really helpful. Bodily remedy may additionally be really helpful.
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 Alternative, Mercy Medical Heart 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 might reply to relaxation, ice, elevation, and avoidance of the exercise inflicting the ache.”
Relying in your particular situation, your healthcare supplier might suggest a number of of the next therapies.
1. Bodily remedy
“Bodily remedy can typically 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 briefly,” says Dr. Gibson. “Biologic injections, corresponding to 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, resulting from 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 test with a health care provider in case you 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
“The easiest way to keep up 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. Keep a wholesome weight
That is the very first thing most physicians will let you know. “Your knees really feel 4 extra kilos of joint reactive pressure with every extra pound of physique weight,” Dr. Gibson says. Conserving your weight inside a wholesome vary will reduce the load in your joints and assist cut back put on and tear.
2. Go low influence
Excessive-impact actions that pound on the joints, like working and leaping, can exacerbate knee ache and even worsen situations like osteoarthritis, in accordance with Dr. Ciotola.
“Most arthritis is genetic, however you’ll be able to 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
Energy coaching gives numerous advantages, however particularly build up the muscle tissue round your knee might assist mitigate joint ache related to lack of cartilage, says Dr. Ciotola.
“Conserving the quad muscle tissue 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 kind
Whereas train can assist knee ache, be certain that to progress your weight step by step and ensure your kind is on level when squatting or lunging.
“Lifting heavy weights with dangerous kind 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 determine muscle imbalances and defective motion patterns that, over time, can result in accidents. Stretches, mobility work, and strengthening workouts can assist maintain your knees practical and feeling good.
