What Is Knee Crepitus? What are the warning signs that you need to meet a doctor?

The causes of knee crepitus (popping sound in a knee or cracking knees) are the bubbles of air in synovial fluid popping while moving your body, cartilage degeneration, or improper joint movements such as wrong posture of standing up after squatting
Knee crepitus without pain may result from a sudden movement after a long posture, for example, sitting for too long before standing up may cause a popping sound in the knee. That is because the tendons and muscles are relaxed after contraction. Twisting the body also causes clicking sound in the joints
Food recommended to treat or reduce knee crepitus are dairy products, oily fish, vegetables with dark green leaves, nuts and seeds.
The perk of treating popping sound in a knee at kdms Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, is to be diagnosed and taken care of by our medical specialists in bones and joints with high accuracy.

Knee crepitus (popping sound in a knee or cracking knees) is a condition that can be found not only in the elderly but in people of all ages and gender. This unwelcome sound often worries those who experience it themselves in daily life such as when standing up, squatting, walking upstairs, and other activities using knees. Therefore, people with such symptoms often start with selecting foods that initially relieve these symptoms. However, choosing inappropriate food may also change your life!

Apart from food, those who experience popping sound in a knee should also be aware of other factors which affect the symptoms as well as the warning signs that urge you to meet a doctor.

Discover the causes of popping sound in the knee or cracking knees

First of all, the medical terminology for popping sound in a knee is knee crepitus. There are many possible factors that cause this condition as follows:

1. Popping of air bubbles in the knee joints

It is normal for our knee joints to have air bubbles because there is synovial fluid (joint fluid) which lubricates cartilage surfaces to reduce friction. Just like water or other fluids, moving body of water creates air bubbles. That’s why air bubbles occur and pop when we mobilize.

2. Cartilage degeneration

The degeneration of joint surfaces and cartilages can cause knee crepitus. The uneven surfaces due to damage create friction when moving, resulting in knee cracking when walking. The degeneration of joint surfaces and cartilages may develop into knee osteoarthritis as well depending on correlated factors.

3. Improper joint movements

Joint movements are driven by the ligaments and tendons surrounding the knee joints that are responsible for connecting bones and controlling movement. At the time a knee joint moves, these ligaments and tendons slide through, or sometimes rub, the bony surfaces or other structures in the knee joint and make “clicking” or “popping” sound in the knee.

Behaviors that cause knee crepitus

Wrong posture of standing up after squatting, which may make the ligaments located on the sides of the knee slide through the bony surfaces and cause cracking knees
Fast rotation of knee joints, making frictions at Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) or Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) and causing a popping sound in a knee

What cause cracking knees without pain?

Many people may think that if a knee makes a sound, it will always be accompanied by pain. In fact, cracking knees or other bones sometimes do not associate with pain. The question is, how do you know what actions with knee crepitus are painless? Let’s observe the 5 following actions:

1. Sudden standing up

Sitting for too long before standing up may cause a popping sound in the knee. That is because the tendons and muscles are relaxed after contraction.

2. Body twist

Twisting the body also unexpectedly causes a clicking sound in the joints

3. Sudden leg stretching

In the same way, changing from some sitting postures like sitting cross-legged or sitting with legs tucked to leg stretching swiftly can cause knee crepitus.

4. Quick walking on stairs

When stepping up or down stairs, knee joints have to burden more pressure of the body weight. This may cause a popping sound in the knee, especially if the muscles around the knee are not strong.

5. Carrying heavy objects

Carrying heavy objects for a long time or over a long distance will increase the pressure on the knees, causing knee joint noise from the friction of the joints.

Dealing with knee crepitus worry-free

After observing your actions, here are some basic suggestions to relieve popping sound in your knee and prevent it from becoming more serious.

1. Change your posture regularly

During the day, try to stretch your body in order to prevent inactivity. Sports and activities to build up strength and flexibility of your knees are also recommended, for example, Pilates, yoga, and light weight training.

2. Control your weight

Try to control your weight within the normal range by balancing your body weight with your height. Neglecting your weight control may increase pressure on the joints and puts you at risk of joint and ligament degeneration.

3. Get enough rest

To rest well and adequately is necessary for your body to repair tissues and reduce joint inflammation. This is a natural way to recover your joints.

It’s not easy to change your behaviors as previously mentioned in a snap but they are not too difficult to do to handle knee crepitus. Try 21-Day Habit Theory of Dr. Maxwell Maltz, American surgeon, by slightly changing your behaviors every day to get your body used to a new routine. The theory observes that human will adapt to new behaviors within 21 days after consistent practices. For those who experience popping sound in the knee, you can start with changing your lifestyle and that will benefit your joint health in a long run.

Why does popping sound in a knee occur even in young ages?

Many teenagers may question, or feel worried, why they have cracking knees when standing up after squatting or in other postures even they are not old. In fact, it is quite common for all ages.

Knee crepitus occurs when we move our body in daily life because knee organs consist of bones, muscles, cartilages, joints, ligaments, and synovial fluid (joint fluid) which creates air bubbles when moving. As they work together in every of our move, this may eventually lead to a popping sound in a knee. However, we should always observe if there are comorbidities so that we can distinguish whether it is a normal knee clicking sound or a warning sign that needs attention.

Recommended foods to relieve knee crepitus

Food is a factor which helps strengthen your bones, joints, and muscles. It also reduces inflammation and boost mobility. We recommend food for each organ as follows:

Foods to strengthen your bones

1. Dairy products

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yoghurt are rich in calcium, a mineral that helps thicken bone mass. Some of the products are also fortified with vitamin D to improve absorption.

2. Oily fish

Oily fish includes salmon, mackerels, and sardines (canned fish with bones are acceptable). They are resources of calcium and vitamin D.

3. Vegetables with dark green leaves

Green-leaf vegetables are also abundant of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K which strengthen your bones. Examples of these vegetables are kales, spinaches, and broccolis.

4. Nuts and seeds

Calcium and magnesium in nuts and seeds help you maintain your bone mass. Recommended nuts and seeds are almonds and chia seeds.

Not only bones that we should focus on, but joints and cartilages are also related to the ability to move as you desire. Therefore, foods for joints and cartilages play an important role in this complex system as well. Let’s take a look what kinds of food are good for these organs.

Foods to strengthen your joints and cartilages

Joints and cartilages are organs that load all impacts of your body and keep your mobility smooth. Overusing them may lead to joint degeneration and, consequently, cause pain or stiffness in your movements. To prolong your cartilages and joints, we recommend these edibles as follows:

1. Berries

Berries are among the best fruits for joints and cartilages. Especially blueberries and strawberries, they contain anti-inflammatory substances and vitamin C, and help produce collagen very well.

2. Soy products

There are many choices of soy-based food in the market and they are easy to buy, for example, tofu and soy milk. They are rich in joint-strengthening isoflavones and calcium.

3. Turmeric and ginger

Despite its dislikeable burning flavor, turmeric and ginger are full of nutritious benefits. Curcumin in them helps fight inflammation and reduce joint pain as well.

4. Olive oil

Olive oil is abundant of good fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties. It prevents joint degeneration very well.

Muscles are also a part that relates and contributes to bone and joint health. To strengthen your muscles, it is necessary to choose the right food, too.

Foods to strengthen your muscles

Strong muscles reduce pressure on joints and bones, increase mobility, and lower the risk of injury. Choosing appropriate foods will nourish muscles, bones, and joints to work more efficiently. Recommended foods for these organs are:

1. Lean protein

Lean protein such as chicken meat, turkey meat, tuna contain a higher amount of protein in its meat. Protein is essential for muscle repair.

2. Eggs and milk

They are high sources of protein and essential amino acids which build up muscle mass. Eating them with quinoa, brown rice, or complex carbohydrates will give you long-lasting energy as well as essential minerals to reinforce muscle functions.

3. Spinach

Spinach contains nitrates which boosts efficiency of muscle functions and iron which supports oxygen transport in your blood.

Foods to avoid for knee crepitus

In addition to foods recommended for relieving popping sound in a knee, there are edibles to avoid in order to prevent the conditions from getting worse. There are 2 types of foods that exacerbate cracking knees:

1. High-sugar and processed foods

These types of food are able to cause knee cartilage damage and inflammation in your body. Moreover, overconsuming these products lead to other serious diseases as well.

2. Drinks with alcohol and caffeine

Although they are favored drinks for most people, drinks with alcohol and caffeine can deprive your body of calcium and should be controlled not to overconsume them.

What are the warning signs of knee crepitus that you need to meet a doctor?

Even though the popping sound in a knee is mostly harmless, there are some comorbidities acting as signs of other serious knee conditions that you need an urgent treatment. If you encounter these comorbidities together with your cracking knees, consult your doctor:

Knee clicking sound with sharp pain, possibly referring to torn knee ligaments
Inability to fully bend or stretch the knees, possibly referring to joint malfunction due to interruption of cartilage fragments
Cracking knees with acute swelling, bruises, and severe pain when pressed, possibly referring to fractured or broken bone
Noise like joints rubbing and constant pain, possibly referring to severe knee osteoarthritis
Knee crepitus with fever, reddened knees with burning pain and swelling, possibly referring to knee infection

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately for diagnosis and appropriate treatments to prevent complications from existing symptoms.

Knee crepitus treatment methods at kdms Hospital

Knee crepitus with serious comorbidities should be taken care of by medical specialists in bones, joints, and muscles. At kdms Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, we have cutting-edge technology assisting our experienced doctors for more precise treatments. To undergo a treatment, our doctors will collaborate with the patient and their relatives to design treatment plans and follow-ups to ensure a return to normal life with quality for the patient.

In summary

The causes of knee crepitus are the popping of air bubbles in synovial fluid (joint fluid) when we mobilize, cartilage degeneration, knee osteoarthritis, or other various factors. Without comorbidities that affect your daily routine, popping sound in a knee is harmless. However, if cracking knees come with pain, sudden swelling, or fever, you must see a doctor immediately for treatment before it is too late.

[Reference to 21-Day Habit Theory] 1.https://rsuir-library.rsu.ac.th/handle/123456789/1512?utm_source=chatgpt.com

2.https://thestandard.co/life/21-day-rule-creates-new-habits/

An article by Napon Sinthuvanich, M.D., Experienced Hip and Knee Replacement Surgeon

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