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Oct 19, 2021 · Crepitus is not a disease but rather a symptom of an underlying condition. Crepitus can also occur in the joints in the body, like the knees, shoulders, elbows, and neck. It usually results when surfaces in a joint rub together from long-term inflammatory conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory...
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Crepitus is the medical term for cracking or popping sounds in a joint such as the knee. Crepitus can have associated pain symptoms and treatments.
- Overview
- A look at the knee joint
- Causes
- When to worry about crepitus
- Treating crepitus when it hurts
- Vitamins for crepitus
- Takeaway
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Knee-popping sounds typically are not a problem. But in some cases, if you feel pain along with crackling, it may indicate osteoarthritis or another type of arthritis.
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).
One explanation for why this happens is osteoarthritis, but there are many other causes. In most cases, noisy knees aren’t a problem. However, if you have pain, too, you might want to consider asking a doctor to check out your knees.
The knee works like a large hinge. It consists of bones, cartilage, the synovium, and ligaments.
Bones: The knee joins the thighbone (femur) to the long bone of the lower leg (tibia). The fibula, a bone in the lower leg, is also connected to the joint. The kneecap (patella) is the small, convex bone that sits at the front of the knee, shielding the joint.
Cartilage: Two thick pads of cartilage called the menisci cushion the tibia and femur, and reduce friction where they meet.
Synovium: A specialized connective tissue that lines joints and tendon sheaths. Synovial fluid serves to lubricate the joints.
Gas bubbles
Over time, gas can build up in the areas surrounding the joint, forming tiny bubbles in the synovial fluid. When you bend your knee, some of the bubbles burst. This is normal and happens to everyone from time to time. It doesn’t cause pain.
Ligaments
The ligaments and tendons around the knee joint may stretch slightly as they pass over a small bony lump. As they snap back into place, you may hear a clicking sound in the knee.
Patellofemoral instability
Everyone’s body is slightly different. The various tissues and components that make up the knee vary between individuals, either from birth or due to age, injury, or life events. Your knees may flex more than another person’s, for example, or your kneecaps may move more freely. These differences may make one person’s knees noisier than the next person’s.
Crepitus in the knee is common and usually painless. There’s no need to be concerned about it. However, if you have pain associated with the crackling and popping sounds, this could indicate a problem.
Knee crepitus:
•is a common symptom of osteoarthritis (OA)
•a possible symptom of rheumatoid or infectious arthritis
•may accompany several types of knee injury
See your doctor as soon as possible if your knee creaks, crackles, and hurts.
Crepitus is usually harmless and needs no treatment. But, if you have pain or other symptoms with a crunchy knee, you may need to see a doctor. The treatment will depend on the underlying cause.
If you have OA, a variety of treatments can help you manage symptoms.
Experts currently recommend:
•weight management
•exercise, such as walking, swimming, or tai chi
•using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Natural medicines and treatments for joint pain are available at drugstores, health food stores, and online.
Options include:
•curcumin
•resveratrol
•boswellia (frankincense)
•certain herbal tinctures and teas
Cracking and popping sounds in your knees aren’t usually a cause for concern, and most people don’t need treatment.
However, if you have pain or other symptoms with noisy knees, it may be a good idea to see a doctor.
Crepitus is a crackling sound in the knee joint that can be harmless or a sign of osteoarthritis or injury. Learn about the symptoms, when to see a doctor, and how to treat crepitus and osteoarthritis.
- Leslie Vandever
Apr 19, 2022 · Crepitus is a crackling or popping sound that occurs as a result of tissues rubbing together. It can be normal or indicate a serious condition, such as a collapsed lung, infection, or injury. Learn more about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of crepitus.
Feb 27, 2024 · Crepitus is a sound like crackling, grinding, or squeaking in a joint when you move it. Learn about the common causes of shoulder crepitus, such as cavitation, bursitis, labral tears, arthritis, and fractures, and how to treat or prevent it.
Aug 30, 2018 · Crepitus is a cracking sensation in the knee joint that can be harmless or indicate damage. Learn about the possible causes, such as air bubbles, patellofemoral pain syndrome, torn cartilage, or osteoarthritis, and how to manage it.
Nov 1, 2022 · Joint popping (crepitus) refers to audible sounds, including popping, cracking, and grinding, that results from movement of a joint. Joint popping can also cause the sensation of pressure being released within the joint.
