Hear popping, crackling, or snapping sounds sometimes while bending or straightening your knees? It may also happen when you climb stairs. These clicking sounds are known as crepitus in medical language.
Among the several reasons behind this sound, some are harmless while others may require medical attention. Generally, it is not a serious issue unless accompanied by pain.
In this blog, we are going to learn more about the factors responsible for knees making clicking sounds.
| 👉 What is the medical name for clicking, popping, cracking, or grinding sounds in the joints? It is known as crepitus. |
What are the Symptoms of Crepitus?
Individuals with knee crepitus may hear some noises when they bend or straighten their knees. These noises may give a feeling of:
- Popping
- Cracking
- Grating
- Clicking
- Grinding
- CreakingÂ
- Snapping
- Crunching
| 👉 Crepitus (joint clicking) was first studied by researchers in 1947. (via NIH) |
The good news is that these signs do not necessarily signal that something is wrong with your knee. In case of a knee issue, you may also notice some other symptoms, such as:
- Pain and ache
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Weakness in muscles
- Reduced flexibility
- Feeling of instability
| 👉 Clicking but no pain, swelling, stiffness, etc.? Unless accompanied by pain and other symptoms, knee clicking may be harmless. |
When is Clicking a Cause for Concern?
Clicking in the knee is quite common and generally painless. Studies suggest it has minimal impact on knee movement and your quality of life. This is why it does not always signal some serious knee condition.Â
This means most people do not need to consult a physiotherapist or their healthcare provider if their knees make clicking sounds, but there are no other symptoms.
However, crepitus can also indicate some underlying conditions. Here are some of the reasons for painful knee popping:
| Condition | Explanation |
| Osteoarthritis | It is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the cushioning (cartilage) in the knee starts to degenerate. This causes the bones in the knee to rub against each other, resulting in inflammation, pain, and stiffness. There may also be clicking in the knee. |
| Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS) | Commonly referred to as runner’s knee, the condition may cause clicking sounds alongside pain around or behind the patella (kneecap). If there is an abrupt increase in your activity level or you subject your knees to repetitive strain, you may experience PFS. Common reasons include squatting, running, or jumping. Also, it is seen more in women than men. |
| Meniscus Tear | The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage in your knee. It can suffer a tear when you participate in sports or suddenly twist your knee. Age-related wear-and-tear may also be a cause. Along with clicking sounds, you may experience swelling, locking, and pain in your knee. |
| Cartilage injuries | Cartilage may get torn as a result of falling, a sports injury, or an accident. A tear in the cartilage may also give rise to painful clicking sounds in the knee. |
| Previous knee injury | If you ever got your knee injured in the past and suffered a fracture or ligament tear, you may notice some clicking due to changes in the joint structure. It may also happen if you underwent knee surgery. Such clicking is harmless if there is no pain or instability in the knee. |
| Tendinitis | When tendons have inflammation, they may rub against bones and soft tissues, leading to a feeling of clicking or snapping in the knee. The problem may aggravate when you perform high-intensity workouts or repetitive movement. |
*Note:Â
Clicking after a knee injury or surgery should be assessed if it is new, persistent, or accompanied by swelling, instability, locking, or restricted movement.
How is Knee Clicking Treated?
Clicking in the knees is often harmless and requires no treatment. But if there is pain along with this clicking, you should consult your healthcare provider to find out the root cause. It will help decide the right course of treatment.
Depending on your diagnosis, you may be advised one or more of the following treatment options:
- Lifestyle modifications
- Regular physical activity
- Weight management
- Bracing or splints
- Medications like NSAIDs and others
- Prescription medicines
- Heat and cold therapy
- Strengthening exercises
- Personalised physiotherapy
- Knee injections
| 👉Clicking in the knees is not restricted to just old people; it can affect individuals of all ages! |
Symptoms that require medical assessment include:
- Persistent or worsening knee pain
- Swelling, warmth, or redness
- Knee locking or giving way
- Difficulty bending or straightening the knee
- Painful clicking after an injury
Seek immediate medical assessment if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Inability to bear weight
- Severe pain or swelling after an injury
- A hot, red knee with feverÂ
Conclusion
Popping, cracking, and clicking sounds in the knees do not generally indicate anything serious, unless there are other symptoms too. In the absence of pain, swelling, stiffness, etc., knee clicking may not require any treatment.
You should see a doctor if the clicking in your knees also causes pain or other such symptoms. And, if you want to keep your knees healthy in the long run, take proactive steps like regular low-intensity exercise, a healthy diet, weight management, and others. These may also help you with managing osteoarthritis symptoms and slow progression of the condition.
Sohana Hospital, Mohali, has an experienced team of orthopaedic doctors, headed by Dr. Gagandeep Singh Sachdeva (Chief Robotic Joint Replacement Surgeon & CEO), who has more than 20 years of experience in the field and is known for providing tailored and compassionate treatment to patients according to their unique condition.