Knee cracking?
 

When I extend my leg, my knee sometimes cracks and especially so after riding or jogging. Why? Is it a problem I can correct? Is my technique problematic?

This is a good question. It could be a problem in the future as whatever is causing the "crack" could become painful. I have cracking knees, ankles, wrists, fingers and here's my take. My big toe cracks and it started to become painful this year. I'm going to the doctor for there are other issues involved (flat feet). I used to crack my wrists until one became very painful and it stopped but after a long rest.

I guess your cracking knee could be something or it could be nothing. Only time will tell. Having surgery to removed the cartilage sounds expensive and unnecessary at this early stage.

When you *extend* it? That actually doesn't sound right. Sometimes the joint will crack when you squat or kneel down to stretch. Maybe you should check with an ortho to be sure.

It might be that your patella is not tracking straight up and down. There are various factors that can cause this.

Cycling should help that.

Running could make it worse and lead to serious damage.

You should see a sports med specialist, especially if you start to feel any pain.

squating makes it crack as well. It happens when I flex the knees. Its cracking more often after starting to cycle after a year break.

Probably your meniscus is wearing.

My right knee does the same, but only when I'm squatting and sit up. I hope there's nothing really wrong. I'll probably just ignore it until it becomes a serious problem- but I'm only 26 for crying-out-loud!

i'm the poster boy for Snap Crackle & Pop! my knees in the morning are a veritable symphony of RATATATTATATA SNAP SNAP POPOPOPOPOPOP! . I climb trees for a living (treefaller/treeclimber) and wear climbing spurs which turn your knee outwards a touch. But cycling really seems to help.

WARNING: even if BF members were doctors (most of us probably aren't) it would not be a good idea to get a diagnosis via forum posts.

Go to a doctor, have an examination and get a diagnosis.

ive had crackling knees for a long time, when i extend them under resistance. Ive heard from one doctor and a few older people i've met that it is nothing to worry about, and it never became painful. But of course, there could be many reasons behind a cracking knee, so id see a sports medicine person, there may be something you can change about your cycling or walking/lifting/general living. knee surgery sholud always be a last resort.

Sometimes my ankle will snap with every step, other times it's silent. While riding it doesn't seem to snap, though it did once, and then I just changed the angle of my foot in the clip and it stopped.

a good sports MD or Chiropractor would be $$ well spent.

Extend cracking
 

I bike 16 miles a day up and down hills 5 days a week for a little over a month now. When I extend my knees they seem to grind and crack on as they track. I work a labours job lots of lifting and squating. Will be speaking with a sports medical doctor about my knees to see if i can continue my commutes to work or if I can make changes and tweak things so I don't regret riding a bike to work everyday.

I think the idea is present the ailment with details then everyone in the forum gives their best prognosis,, then when the patient actually goes to the hospital for treatment he comes back with the official report from the doctors and then we all see who came close closest to the official diagnosis,,, sorta like a ailment pool,,,

Noise without pain is usually meaningless. Of course usually isn't always, so it's up to you to decide whether to worry or not.

OTOH - noise with pain is a bad sign and should be investigated.

BTW - there's plenty of good information about noisy joints on the net, so if you do a bit of reading, you might have a sense of what it may be, and make a more informed decision about having it checked out.

I've had both of my knees "scoped". The doctor said the "rice krispys" is arthritis which he cleaned out when he was snipping off tears in the ligaments. The rice krispys are returning 5 years later.
There is now a gel made from the head of a roosters comb that provides many with relief when injected between the knee. Ask your doctor about this.

I recommend that you don't squat anymore. That is bad for your knees. I had some knee tenderness and reduced the budding discomfort by moving my seat back, and later, I moved it forward again, past the old position. I recommend a bike fitting rather than a visit to a doctor. I take 200mg ibuprofen sometimes. I am not a doctor, but I think clicks and pops are nothing.

My left knee sometimes cracks when I fully extend it, but there is no way I am going to ask here for a diagnosis. I will ask the orthopaedic surgeon who replaced my left hip last year what he thinks. Take no offence people who participate in this forum, but I trust him 1,000 times more than any of you

Dehydration is a big factor in painless crepitus... Thats why in the morning when you first get up its a snap crackle pop to the bathroom. Of course as you get older you will of have more...

But if it hurts when its popping then its another matter entirely.

Painful crepitus needs a work up. That means you go see a professional about it. If you have painful crepitus don't put it off. Painful crepitus spells approaching damage...

go to a good physical therapist
 

they can help you diagnose that issue

I thought most peoples joints sometimes (on occasion) make a click or cracking sound.

I like to take some notes about my health thoughts... and then mention them all to the doctor while I am in the office.

It's much cheaper this way :lol:

You and me both. I have arthritis in both knees (left worse than right) and sometimes after sitting for an extended period of time, if I even just flex a knee it will give off a loud "POP!" Call me weird, but I love doing that in church when I'm sitting next to someone who doesn't know me. LOL!! I always get a shocked look and a "did that hurt?"

99 times out of 100 it doesn't hurt, but I have a feeling there will come a day where it will hurt 99 times out of 100. That's the day I'll have a couple new knees installed.


:)

Nice zombie thread.

What he said. If possible find a group that specializes in Sports Orthopedic medicine.