So many people ask us, why do my knees click? Knee crepitus is very common among us all. The noise may happen when you bend your knee after being stationary for a period of time, which makes a loud click or popping noise. Your knee works as a large hinge which consists of cartilage, bones, ligaments and synovium.
Why am I hearing the clicking noise?
There are a few reasons:
- Cavitation – This is gas or bubbles popping around the knee joint when you move
- Tracking – The kneecap is not gliding in the knee joint correctly
- Meniscus tear – if you have been suffering with pain as well as the noise it could be a sign that you have a small piece of cartilage flapping within the joint
- Arthritis – If your pain is persistent along with a clicking noise you could have osteoarthritis
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome – Another name for this is “runners’ knee”. The knee could be catching on the under-surface of the patella
Do I need to see a doctor?
If you are experiencing just a clicking sound with no pain or swelling it could be a very minor problem that may not need any medical attention at all, but if alongside the clicking noise you are suffering with pain, swelling, instability and mobility issues it would be a good idea to get checked by your doctor or physiotherapist to avoid any further damage to your knee joint.
You may require an MRI of your knee for a clearer diagnosis. By looking at the cartilage and soft tissues surrounding the knee, your doctor will be able to determine if you need to be sent to a knee specialist for surgery or whether physiotherapy will be able to help you.
What can a physiotherapist do to help with the clicking noise?
When you see a physiotherapist for an initial assessment, they will take a full medical history, ask you if you have any pain or swelling around the area, and they will look at your movement and walking pattern. They will assess your muscles around the thighs and hips to ensure that your kneecap is being supported efficiently. If there is any muscle imbalance, they will address this by showing you specific exercises to improve your symptoms. They will also want to monitor your progress until you are fully rehabilitated.
At Home Physio Group we have a team of professional and highly skilled physiotherapists who can help you. Please contact our office on 0330 335 1016 to talk to a member of our team.