Why do my knees click and crack?
Most knee noises are harmless. Common causes include tiny gas bubbles in the joint fluid, tendons or ligaments moving over bone, and the kneecap gliding over the thigh bone.
The noise tells you very little by itself. What matters is whether it comes with pain, swelling, a catching feeling or a knee that gives way.
Which noises are usually harmless?
Painless clicking tends to fit one of these patterns:
- A single pop when you bend or straighten the knee, and then it moves freely.
- A soft crunch on stairs or squatting, with no pain.
- A noise that comes and goes through the day and does not change what you can do.
- Clicking that has been there for years and has not changed.
If the knee feels fine, the noise is nothing to be afraid of. Stopping movement out of fear usually does more harm than the noise.
Which noises should I get checked?
Get the knee checked if clicking comes with any of these:
- Pain at the time of the noise.
- Swelling that comes after activity.
- A catching or locking feeling, as if something is in the way.
- A knee that gives way or feels unstable.
- Clicking that began after a twist or fall.
A twist or fall followed by a click and swelling can point to damage in the cartilage pad (meniscus) or a ligament. See a doctor soon if you cannot straighten the knee or put weight on it. Read about a meniscus tear.
When do Ipoh knees click most?
In daily life, knees click when they bend deeply or load after a pause. Think of standing up from a low kopitiam stool, using a squat toilet, sitting cross-legged on the floor at a prayer hall or a family gathering, or walking down stairs.
If these are the moments that hurt as well as click, the knee is telling you something. See our pages on squat toilets and knee pain and sitting on the floor and knee pain.
What helps a noisy knee?
If the knee is painless, nothing needs fixing. Keep moving and keep the legs strong.
If it is painful, these steps help while you wait to be checked:
- Keep walking and moving gently, instead of resting for days.
- Strengthen the thigh and hip muscles, which share the load.
- Reduce deep squats and long kneeling for a short time.
- Wear supportive shoes on hard floors.
A physiotherapist can show you the right exercises for your knee. Our page on knee pain on stairs has a simple starting set.
Do I need a scan?
Not usually as the first step. Scans of the knee in people without pain also show changes, such as wear in the cartilage, so a result needs context. Read scans and what they mean.
A doctor may order a scan after an injury, or if the knee locks or gives way. For gradual clicking with pain, a physiotherapist’s assessment can come first. Our home physiotherapy service can look at your knee at home, and the Canning Garden centre is opening soon.