Cracks in the joints, scientifically known as joint crackling, usually occur due to friction between the bones present in the joint and due to a decrease in the production of synovial fluid within the joint.
Most of the time, the popping knee does not pose any special illness and therefore does not need specific treatment. However, the permanence of this signal may indicate that it is necessary to strengthen the muscles of the legs and thighs because this decreases the risk of friction and also naturally improves the lubrication of the joint capsule.
To make sure that the knee is popping you can try to crouch a bit with your hand on the knee and watch if you hear any sound or feel the crackle in the joint. It is not always possible to hear the click, but it is common to feel the friction of the patella when squatting.
If you experience pain in your knees besides pain, see what you can do to relieve pain at home while you wait for the doctor's appointment.
Main causes of crackling of the knee
The most common causes of crepitation in the knees are:
1. Overweight
Whenever you are above your ideal weight, your knees are subjected to a higher load than they should withstand. In this case the entire structure may be compromised, and it is common to have complaints such as pain when walking, while doing exercises or efforts such as going up and down stairs.
How to treat: It is important to lose weight by doing a low calorie diet as indicated by a nutritionist and to practice low impact exercises such as walking through flat places using running shoes because they absorb more impact and so protect the joints. Here's how to make a healthy diet for fast weight loss.
2. Knee arthrosis
It happens when there is a wear and tear of the joint, which can happen due to a blow, trauma or just because of the advancing age, there being approximation between the bones of the thigh and the leg, causing pain and sometimes swelling.
How to treat: Cold or hot compresses can be used, exercises can be done, or anti-inflammatories can be taken under medical supervision and sometimes surgery to place a prosthesis in the knee. Here are some of the exercises that help improve osteoarthritis.
3. Misaligned body
A misalignment of the body, even if microscopically can also leave the knees popping through a compensation mechanism and therefore the body posture and the joints of the spine, hips and ankles should be evaluated.
How to Treat: Exercising like Pilates, Swimming can be helpful, but a physical therapy technique called Global Posture Reeducation achieves excellent results because it promotes realignment of the entire body, reducing joint overload and compensating muscles. Check out 5 exercises you can do at home to improve posture.
4. Changes in patella
The popping knee may also be a sign of patellar crackling, which can also be caused by arthrosis, caused by the natural aging process, a blow or inflammation or a disease called patellar chondromalacia. If the knee is only cracking but has no pain and no associated limitation, no specific treatment is required.
How to treat: It may be necessary to have physiotherapy sessions using appliances and exercises to align the patella and decrease this discomfort.
When to go to the doctor or physiotherapist
It is important to go to the doctor or the physiotherapist if in addition to hearing that the knee is popping you observe:
- Pain when moving the knees, when going up or down stairs or crouch;
- If the knee is reddish or swollen;
- If you find that the knee is out of place.
When these symptoms are present they can indicate arthritis, arthrosis, ruptures or inflammation in the ligaments or meniscus, and it may be necessary to take exams and take medication or physical therapy sessions to treat.
During the physical therapy treatment, it is recommended not to take weight, not to use heavy and uncomfortable shoes and to avoid to the maximum go up and down stairs. A good way to save a little this joint is to place a knee elastic bandage during the day. However, it should not be too tight, to avoid circulatory problems.
