Osteoarthritis can happen at any age, but it usually starts when people are in their 50s. In osteoarthritis, mechanical stress and biochemical changes combine to break down the cartilage that cushions the joint over time.
This causes inflammation and pain, and the joint may crackle and crunch. Knees can sometimes become more noisy after surgery. This may be due to minor changes that occur during the procedure itself or, in the case of joint replacement , features of the new joint.
What does total knee replacement surgery involve? Crepitus in the knee is common and usually painless. However, if you have pain associated with the crackling and popping sounds, this could indicate a problem. Crepitus is usually harmless and needs no treatment. But, if you have pain or other symptoms with a crunchy knee, you may need to see a doctor.
The treatment will depend on the underlying cause. If you have OA, a variety of treatments can help you manage symptoms. Meditation can also ease pain and may promote overall well-being.
Natural medicines and treatments for joint pain are available at drugstores, health food stores, and online. Just keep in mind that few have been proven clinically effective, and some may have adverse effects. The popping sound usually comes from air seeping into the soft tissue, finding its way into the area around the joint and causing tiny bubbles in the synovial fluid. When a person bends or stretches their knees, the bubbles can burst with a popping or cracking sound.
Sometimes, however, there is an underlying problem, for example, tissue damage or lesions. In this case, treatment may be necessary. If there is pain as the knee snaps or catches, it can be because scar tissue, a meniscus tear, or a tendon is moving over a protruding bone within the knee joint.
Pain or swelling can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as patellofemoral pain syndrome PFS , a tear in the cartilage or other soft tissue, or osteoarthritis OA. When the pressure between the kneecap and the femur is greater than usual, the cartilage in the joint can start to soften and wear away. PFS can result from trauma or overuse. It is a common source of knee pain in young people and athletes. Rigorous exercise — such as jogging on an inclined surface, squatting, and climbing stairs — can put strain on the area between the femur and the kneecap joint.
A sudden increase in physical activity, such as exercising more frequently, or running further or on rougher terrain than usual, can also cause it. Another risk factor for crepitus related to PFS is trauma to the knee. This could be due to a fall or hitting the knee on the dashboard of a car in a road traffic accident. The individual may experience crepitus when climbing stairs or after sitting for a long time with the knees bent, as well as pain, swelling, puffiness, and stiffness. Anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy exercises can also relieve it.
If these do not help, splinting, surgery, or both may be necessary. They may help to realign part of the knee. To prevent this problem, anyone who is exercising or participating in sports should make sure they always use appropriate techniques, footwear, and equipment, and be sure to warm up before starting.
Crepitus can also be a sign of a torn meniscus. A meniscus can tear during sports activities, such as when a person twists their knee. It can also happen as people get older and the meniscus wears thin. Normally, the person can still use the knee, but stiffness and swelling may appear over the next 2 to 3 days. Sometimes surgical repair is necessary. If crepitus occurs with pain, this can be an early sign of osteoarthritis OA of the knee.
This could be a sign that medical attention is required. Two of the most common cause for knee pain are:.
To help protect the knees, try exercises that develop the quadriceps, which are the muscles in the front of the thigh. Exercises that benefit this muscle group are walking, cycling and swimming.
As you age, you have a higher risk of tearing the meniscus, even with everyday activity. Cartilage injury or wear In an injury, knee cartilage can break off and catch on the joint, which causes pain and swelling.
Treatments for Cracking Knees Depending on the extent and location of the injury, as well as your current physical state, treatments could include the following: Rest Physical therapy PEACE and LOVE Rehabilitation exercises Knee brace For meniscus tears specifically: surgery usually minimally invasive to repair the tear or remove the torn section, either partial or total meniscectomy The key is to seek treatment early, which leads to a faster and more effective recovery.
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