Noisy knee?

[FreakofSnow]

It seems that in the last few months my left knee has started to make some weird noises. Its supposedly my good knee (never been severely injured). I can especially hear it when I am walking down the stairs in my house. If I put my hand on it when descening I can "feel it". I can't quite describe the sound, but I guess the closest I could come would be a cracking/slight popping.

And ideas? Should I go ahead and amputate?

Oh and there is minimal pain in that knee.

[Vinman]

that sound/sesnsation is called crepitus and is usually assocaited with patello-femoral syndrome.

One of the most common reasons for this(although there are probably about 20) is tight hamstrings. Second on the list is tight IT band or weak quads., third is tight quads.

So my advice in a very general sense is to stretch consistently 2x/day over the nex several weeks and see if it goes away. If it does not get a consult in person with you doc, certified athletic trainer or physical therapist.

[FreakofSnow]

I'm familiar w/ the term crepitus and I would probably say that the noise could be classified as such. However I don't think my hamstring are tight. I stretch regularly and my quads are in good shape (in fact they are tree trunks ).

Why would you think one knee would make the noise and the other not?

The "quiet knee" (see right knee) does not make this sound, although it does make other noises, more like a clicking noise when it catches. This knee has been injured several times, never diagnosed as any ACL/MCL damage, just serious muscle tear.

I'm not sure what answer I am looking for, I just didn't think your diagnosis fit the bill, but I could be wrong.......

[Vinman]

like I said there are many other causes of patello-femoral syndrome, most of which it would take a physical exam to determine.

other sources of cracks/pops in the knee
arthrits
IT band syndrome
meniscus tear
articular cartilage defect

like I also mentioned if my suggestions don't work then get an in person exam.

Good luck.

[Wolfmansbro]

hmm on a similar knee note my knees are always cracking. Whenever i fully bend them (say doing a squat) they crack like i am cracking my knuckles. No pain or anything but they will always do that and they seem to be getting louder over the years

[vick]

i've been living with patellar tendinitis/tendinosis in my right knee for the last 2+ years, all docs and the PT I've seen prescribe vitamin IB, ice, and stretching. that knee makes the same noises (that i can feel if i put my fingers on it) that you describe. docs tell me that's not a concern, it's just symptomatic of what is happening to the tissue in there. left knee is solid and makes no noises. mine is slowly improving but its taking time, best thing i've found so far is a patellar strap.

good luck with it.

[Swampy]

I have noisy knees for as long as I can remember too. They make a loud crack whenever I squat (similar to Wolfsmanbro) and if I just bounced on my knees half way between standing and a squatting, there's an obvious creaking sound... like a a squeaky door.

But no pain, and other than 2 occasions (in the last 13 years that I remember) where one knee locked up, I've not had any problems. Should I be concerned? I'm been taking glucosamine lately, and hoping that will aid in whatever repair that needs to me to happen.