QUESTION: My knee is popping and clicking. What can I do?
Dear Beth,
I’m hoping (praying) that you might be able to shed a little light on a long-term condition I’ve had with my knee. About ten years ago I began noticing some minor “popping” whenever I’d ride my bike. This seemed to occur immediately under the kneecap. It would occur about once or twice a week; as the knee bent and extended, there would be a few ‘clicks’ and then one big ‘pop’. After that it would be quiet again. Lately, however, the same knee has been much worse; noisier than ever and feeling like it’s not snugly jointed. I’ve been noticing that the tendons behind the knee are much more present when I’m sitting on my board waiting for waves. Nothing seems to be tender or painful, however I’m constantly stiffening and tightening the muscles around the knee when I walk to help snug-up the area.
Any advice on what I can do to help improve the situation would be appreciated. Am I looking at surgery? Heard anything about glucosamine sulfate?Thanks, Michael
ANSWER:
Hey Michael,
Sorry for the delayed response. I have not been in the mood for dealing with responsibilities since the horrific crisis hit last week. But I am back….
Your condition sounds awfully familiar to many of “us” who have been heavy recreationalists our whole lives. And in the past the old adage would be applied, “If it doesn’t hurt, don’t fix it.” It is common to have noisy joints and as long as pain is not affiliated with it, it is typically okay to let it go. But now you sound as if stiffness is getting in the way of things. Did you have any major trauma to that knee in the past? Is it your dominant leg? I have a few recommendations for you.
First off, I would DEFINITELY start to stretch the muscles surrounding that knee joint along with your hip and lower back muscles. Tight muscles can do a number on your joints. As long as you are at it, you may as well stretch the other side as well. A good stretch is held for at least 30 sec and you should stretch each muscle group 2 times. Next, it sounds to me like you have a bit of internal swelling in your knee joint. You may not be able to see the swelling but based on your complaints, the joint may be swollen. I suggest taking an anti inflammatory for at least 1 week consistently. So if you take Advil, take the recommended dosage for seven straight days unless you have stomach issues. Ice helps as well. I would also consider making an appointment with your orthopoedic surgeon in order to rule out any major problems. Glucosamine has been helpful to people in most cases. Again, it may cause stomach issues and it depends upon what is going on in your knee as to whether or not it would help. Thus the need for a doctor’s visit.
If you can afford a massage, I would seek out a good sports massage therapist with a background in rehab. This will help loosen up your muscles and it promotes healing due to an increase in blood flow and circulation to the area. Let me know if you need more info. Good luck to you and let’s hope for world peace and off shore winds! Hasta, Beth
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Dear Beth
Knee clicking or popping is something that I have had during the whole of my sporting life. After receiving five key hole surgery to my left knee, I finally ( on a sixth operation ) got a full knee replacement, that was in December 2008. My rehab is very slow as I have excepted, but every time I bend my knee I get this snapping or clicking on the outer side of the knee where the tendon is situated and its very painful( by the way it is my left knee ). When I ask a doctor about anything I get the same answer “its normal” The sensation of this is sickening at times as it stops me from getting into my physiotherapy properly. All I want to know is just what is this problem and will it go away? By the way the knee is also swollen but has been reduced quite a lot through Lymph drainage.
Thomas
I wish I would of followed the advise if “it doesn’t hurt then don’t fix it.” I went to a chiroprator and had my neck adjusted. He said I was off aligment and that was what was causing my tension in my shoulder blades. I had already been going to massage therapy 1 a week for a year piror to the adjustment. I finally let him adjust me and that evening I got sick and felt dizzy. I went back two days later and he said he needed to adjust something else. 2 weeks later, I wake up I have a neck sprain, my eyes are feeling blurry, nausua, popping of the muscles near my neck, and I feel off balance. Will this go away if I never go back to a chiroprator again?
I play sports and feel to ill to exercise and I am scared that this will never go away.
Michael,
Did you ever find a solution to your knee clicking problem? I have had the same problem for about a year now as a result of cycling and it is very disconcerting. I hope that your knee has healed well and perhaps you can provide insight. I appreciate your help.
Dan
If your knees continue to pop and crak uncontrollably, you may need to have your skull amputated …
I agree about the amputation. See a specialist. Beth: Any sexy pics?
hahaha yea beth, SEXY PICS, STAT!!!