Do your knees snap, crackle, and pop when you walk around? Can you hear your knees crunching when you squat or bend down?
Knee clicking is a common complaint, but it is usually nothing to worry about. If you’re debating when to see a doctor for clicky knees, check out this helpful guide below. We’ll explain why knees click when to be concerned, and what you can do about your noisy knees.
Common Reasons for Knee Clicking
Knee clicking is typically the result of built-up nitrogen in your joints. The nitrogen creates tiny air bubbles that “pop” when you move around. This is the same phenomenon that happens when you pop your knuckles. The pop you hear is not the bones in your fingers but rather the nitrogen released in your joints.
In most cases, it’s difficult to make your joints pop multiple times in rapid succession. This is because it takes time for the nitrogen to build up. If your knees only click periodically, you’re likely dealing with harmless air bubbles in your joints.
Other reasons for knee clicking may include muscle flicks, fluid, or benign cysts. These sources are usually harmless and do not result in long-term side effects. If you experience pain in addition to knee clicking, your doctor will need to evaluate the underlying condition.
Painful Knee Clicking vs. Noisy Knee Clicking
Noisy knee clicking is annoying, but it’s usually nothing to worry about. The concerns come about when that noise is accompanied by pain. If you feel prolonged discomfort from your clicking needs, it may be time to see a doctor. Your pain management specialist can diagnose what’s causing you pain and how to treat it best.
The prevalence of chronic knee pain has increased substantially in the last 20 years, but so have the available treatment options. Procedural pain management offers targeted relief without invasive surgery or lifelong medications. Your knee pain does not have to be a way of life, and resolving the pain may eliminate those annoying clicks.
Learn more: How Regenerative Medicine Can Help Knee Pain
When to See a Doctor about Your Knee Clicking
If your knees hurt when you walk, squat, or shift your weight, you could benefit from a pain management consultation. Your doctor will pinpoint the source of your discomfort to create a personalized treatment plan for you.
Macomb Pain Management offers cutting-edge treatments for knee pain, spinal pain, joint pain, and more. Our office is located at:
Macomb Pain Management
8152 25 Mile Rd Suite B
Shelby Township, MI 48316
