What makes knees making cracking sounds

Learn more about what causes chronic and severe knee pain and why knee replacement is an option that may offer relief. If you have OA of the knee, you're probably looking for a way to strengthen your joints without being in pain.

Both the treadmill and the elliptical…. Find out what Healthline readers are wearing, and what you should look for the next time you go shoe shopping. Chronic knee pain is long-term pain in one or both knees.

The cause of your knee pain can determine the exact signs and symptoms you may experience. From easy exercises to symptom relief, here are the top apps to check out to help ease your knee pain. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Knee Noise: Crepitus and Popping Explained. Medically reviewed by Brenda B. Spriggs, M. The knee joint Causes When to worry Treatment Vitamins Takeaway You may hear occasional pops, snaps, and crackles when you bend or straighten your knees, or when you walk or go up or down stairs.

Doctors call this crackling sound crepitus KREP-ih-dus. A look at the knee joint. When to worry about crepitus. Treating crepitus when it hurts. Vitamins for crepitus. The crunching sound from your knee is crepitus. If you do not have any other symptoms, no specific treatment is necessary for crepitus.

If you develop other knee problems, however, you should see a doctor to have your knee evaluated. Crepitus is caused by the rubbing of cartilage on the joint surface or other soft tissues around the knee during joint movement. When knee snapping or catching is painful, that is usually a result of scar tissue, a meniscus tear or a tendon moving over a bony prominence within the knee joint. The patellofemoral joint — where your knee cap meets your thigh bone, or femur — is typically the source of knee crepitus.

Cartilage, the smooth, elastic tissue that covers the ends of bones, normally allows the bones to glide easily in the joint. The medical term is crepitus , and there can be several causes. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. If you are having other symptoms, you should get it checked out. This is another form of crepitus and is typically nothing to be concerned about. The sound is caused by the cartilage rubbing on the joint surface and other soft tissue when the knee moves. What if it hurts when my joints pop or grind? You should be concerned if you have joint noise that is accompanied by pain, discomfort or swelling.