What does it mean if my knee is clicking or popping?

So, have you also noticed your knee making a click or popping sound whenever you walk, climb stairs, or bend down? Well, you are not alone. This affects around 50-90% of people. For some, it is just painless noise, and for others it may result in pain or swelling. The good news is that in most cases, knee clicking is not dangerous. But sometimes, it can mean something more serious is happening inside your knee. Here, we are going to discuss:

·  Why your knee makes these sounds

·  When it’s harmless and when it’s not

·  What causes painful knee clicking

·   What doctors do to find the cause

·   What knee treatment can help

·   Simple home tips to protect your knees

·   When to see a doctor?

Why Do Knees Make Clicking or Popping Sounds?

In medical terms, joint clicking is called “crepitus”.Your knee is like a hinge on a door. Sometimes, when you open or close a door, it is going to make a squeaking or popping sound. That doesn’t mean the door is broken. It just means things are moving or rubbing inside. The same happens in your knee. Here are some simple causes:

·  Little gas bubbles popping: There is a fluid inside your knee that keeps it moving smoothly. In that fluid, tiny bubbles are formed and when bend or stretch.They pop and make a sound. This is very normal and completely harmless.

·  Tendons or ligaments moving: Ligaments and tendons are like stretchy bands around your knee. Sometimes, they are likely to slide over the bone when you move and make a click.

·  Rough surfaces inside the knee: If the smooth cover (cartilage) on yourbetween the two bones of the knee wears down, the surfaces rub together and make noise.

·   Something stuck inside:Ifa torn piece of cartilage or bone gets caught, it could make a clicking or popping sound.

Here’s the key: If the clicking or popping happens with no pain, it’s usually nothing to worry about. If it comes with problems like pain, swelling, or stiffness, it’s worth checking.

What Does Painful Clicking Mean?

If your knee is painful and clicking, it may be caused by a deeper issue such as:

1. Meniscus Tear

The meniscus is a soft cushion inside the knee that can tear if your knee undergoes sharp tears or shifting movements, often when playing sport. It often results in:

·  Sharp pain

·  Clicking or catching sounds

·   Sometimes the knee gets stuck or “locks”

2. Early Arthritis

With passing of age, the smooth surfaces in the knee are likely to wear out, which may lead to the bones rubbing against each other. As such, they make popping or grinding sounds:

·  Comes with stiffness, especially in the morning

·  More common in people above 40 years

3. Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain)

If your kneecap does not glide properly in its groove, it can click or pop.

· It usually painful during stair climbing or squatting

· It is common in young active people

4. Loose Pieces in the Knee

Sometimes, small fragments of cartilage or bone might be loose in the joint. This can cause:

· A sudden pain followed by a click.

· Sudden knee locking or the knee giving way.

5. Ligament Injuries (for example, an ACL tear) 

Injuries to the ligaments that keep the knee intact can make the knee feel unstable. Moving the knee can also cause it to make a clicking or popping sound.

How is the Cause Identified? 

·  Interviewing the Patient: The doctor will start with asking about the painwith clicking, when it began, any preceding injuries, and movements that worsen the pain.

· Knee Examination: We will gently bend, move and press your knee to figure out the cause ofyour knee problems.

· Scans: Sometimes, to gain further insight a simple X-ray or MRI of the knee will be organized. 

What knee Treatments Can Help? 

Not every clicking knee needs treatment. If your knee is clicking without pain, you may not need any treatment at all. Treatment is beneficial only if there is pain, swelling or injury. Some of the Simple Non-Surgical and low-cost Treatments are:

·  Physiotherapy: Exercises designed to be beneficial to the muscles that surround the knee. Properly structured exercises can make the muscles stronger and reduce the clicking by improving the function of the knee. 

·  Lifestyle adjustments: Changing to exercises that are easier on the knee, such as swimming, cycling, or walking can help.

·  Medicines: Simple pain relief or anti-inflammatory tablets/creams can ease swelling.

·  Injections: In some cases, injections can reduce pain and improve movement.

Surgical Treatments (If Needed)

· Keyhole surgery (arthroscopy): A small camera is used to look inside and repair or clean up the knee.

· Meniscus or ligament repair: If either are torn, surgery may fix them.

· Joint replacement (in severe arthritis): In serious cases, a damaged knee joint may be replaced with an artificial one.

Doctors usually try the simplest option first before thinking about surgery.

What Can You Do at Home?

So, is there anything that you can do for it at home? Yes, there are some easy steps you tohelp your knees:

· Stay active but gentle: Go for activities like swimming, cycling, yoga, and walking which are good for your knee.

· Strengthen your legs: Do exercises which are great for building thigh and hip muscles support your knee.

· Maintain healthy weight: Less weight = less pressure on your knees.

· Warm up before activity: A full warm up is necessary before exercising as it will get the knee joint ready to exercise.

· Wear good shoes: Supportive shoes help to protect the knee.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If your knee just makes noise and doesn’t hurt, you usually don’t need to worry. But you should see a knee expert if:

· The clicking comes with pain

· Your knee feels weak or unstable

· There is swelling, locking, or stiffness

· You had an injury and now the knee keeps clicking

Real People, Real Stories

Many patients say things like:

“I thought my knee was broken when it started clicking.”

“I was scared I’d need surgery straight away.”

In most cases, it’s nothing serious. And even when it is, there are many ways to treat it. Patients often feel a huge sense of relief after speaking to a specialist.

Associate Professor Chinmay Gupte has treated thousands of people in London, athletes, runners, and everyday patients, with painful, clicking knees. His focus is always on compassionate care and patient centered care.

Knee clicking or popping is very common. Majority of the time, the clicking is nothing dangerous or something to worry about. But if it is coming with pain, swelling, or stiffness, it’s a good idea to get it checked. And you will be happy to know that there are many simple treatments like exercises, lifestyle changes for that. And if needed, advanced care from knee experts like Associate Professor Chinmay Gupte in London.

FAQs

Q: My knee clicks but doesn’t hurt. Do I need to see a doctor?

A: Not usually. If it’s painless, it’s often normal.

Q: Can exercise stop my knee from clicking?

A: Sometimes, yes. You can strengthen your thigh muscles (quadriceps muscles) which can often help reduce clicking.

Q: Does clicking always mean arthritis?

A: Not necessarily. Many young, healthy people have clicking knees without arthritis.

Q: Should children with clicking knees see a doctor?

A: If it’s painless, no. Kids often have more noisy joints than adults.

Q: Will I always need surgery for a clicking knee?

A: No. Surgery is only for serious problems. Most people get better with simple care.