What causes my knees to crack?
Do you experience cracking of the knee when you crouch to tie up your shoe? Do you notice it more often as you get older? Do you wonder if this cracking sensation is damaging your knee? In this blog we are going to explore why your knees crack and if you should see a physiotherapist. It is common for people to experience clicking, cracking, crunching sounds in their knee joint when they squat or lunge. In the medical world, we call this term ‘crepitus’. Crepitus occurs when small gas bubbles are released in the joint during movement. This is similar to cracking you knuckles which will NOT lead to arthritis. The sensation can also occur when the tendon (Iliotibial band) flicks across a bony prominence (Tibia – Gerdy’s tubercle). It is important to note, that there is no substantial evidence to suggest that purely knee cracking is going to damage your body in the long term. Our body experience cartilage and bony changes as we get older hence leading to an increase frequency of knee cracking sounds.
Do I need to see a physiotherapist?
Noises in the knee can be distressing and lead to fear of movement due to out dated beliefs associated with cracking and damage. As long as you do not have any pain or swelling that accompanies the knee cracking then you do not have to see a physiotherapist. Certain conditions such as osteoarthritis can lead to painful knee cracking sensations. In an osteoarthritis case then it is recommended to see a physiotherapist. Osteoarthritis is a common condition that causes a breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage is smooth padding that protects the end of the knee bones. This condition causes uneven surfaces between bones which can cause painful cracking and clicking sensation at the knee joint.
How do I fix a cracking knee?
The solution to fix a cracking knee depends on the diagnosis. A physiotherapist will be able to identify the underlying cause of why your knee cracks during movement. Treatment usually involves both strength and motor control rehab exercises. A large part of knee rehab is building quadriceps strength. When we strengthen the thigh muscles then it will help stabilize the knee cap within the groove during movement. These muscles can assist in cushioning the knee joint each time you take a step. Furthermore, motor control training is needed to help ensure coordinated and efficient movement of the muscles. When the knee cap shifts out of place when you bend of straighten your leg then can be cause of cracking in the knees. A physiotherapist will be able to identify the areas of weakness and provide you with directions on how to perform the movement correctly to minimize the cracking sensation.
If you are concerned about your knees or other joints, schedule a consultation with one of our friendly physiotherapists today. They will be able to perform an in-depth assessment to determine the quality of the joints and provide strategies to increase their function.