Why does my knee crack or pop? Should I be worried?
Knee popping, cracking and clicking are common and can occur during everyday movements such as standing, walking, squatting or climbing stairs. In many cases, these sounds are harmless. However, when they occur with pain or other symptoms, they may indicate an underlying knee problem.
“It's common for patients to be concerned when they hear their knee crack or pop, but the sound itself does not necessarily mean something is wrong,” said Chance Moore, MD, FAAOS, an orthopaedic specialist at UT Health San Antonio, the academic health center and health system of The University of Texas at San Antonio. “What matters is whether the noise is accompanied by symptoms such as pain, swelling, instability or changes in how the knee moves.”
Here are five things to know about knee sounds.
1. Knee sounds can have several causes.
Joints can make sounds for several reasons. A popping sound may occur when gas moves within the joint, while clicking or cracking can occur as tendons and other tissues move around the joint.
Occasional knee sounds without pain or other symptoms are generally not a cause for concern.
2. A noisy knee does not necessarily mean you have arthritis.
Knee cracking can sometimes be associated with changes in the joint, including osteoarthritis. However, noise alone does not indicate that arthritis is present.
Osteoarthritis may cause additional symptoms such as pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced range of motion. An evaluation can help determine whether these symptoms are related to arthritis or another condition.
3. Pain or swelling changes the picture.
Knee sounds accompanied by pain, swelling, stiffness or difficulty moving the joint may warrant further evaluation.
These symptoms can have several causes, including arthritis, inflammation or an injury to the structures within or around the knee.
4. A pop following an injury may require evaluation.
A distinct pop or popping sensation during a sports injury, fall or sudden change in direction can be associated with certain knee injuries.
Swelling, instability, difficulty putting weight on the leg or reduced range of motion following an injury are additional symptoms that should be evaluated by a health care professional.
5. Catching, locking or instability are important symptoms.
A knee that repeatedly catches, locks or gives way is different from a knee that simply makes an occasional sound.
These symptoms may indicate an underlying problem affecting the structures that support or stabilize the knee. An orthopaedic evaluation can help determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
When should you be concerned about a noisy knee?
An occasional pop or crack without pain, swelling or other symptoms is usually not a reason for concern. However, new or persistent knee sounds accompanied by pain, swelling, instability or difficulty moving the joint should be evaluated.
If you’re concerned about new or persistent knee symptoms, UT Health San Antonio’s orthopaedic specialists can help identify the cause and explore treatment options.