It is not unusual for many of you to hear a crunching, cracking, or popping sensation o moving the knees. If you also feel the sensation, then you should also know that this condition is called knee crepitus [ หัว เข่า มีเสียง , which is the term in Thai]. It will happen when air bubbles develop in the living tissues, but in the above scenario, the likely cause is the snapping of ligaments or tendons over the bony structure of your knees. A torn cartilage, osteoarthritis or patellofemoral pain syndrome are also probable causes.
Associated symptoms for arthritis
If the development of crepitus is due to arthritis, then you may usually notice several other symptoms like:
- Pain while bending the knees or walking
- Occasional swelling of the knee
- Stiffness of knee that will improve with gentle stretching exercise
- Tender or sore knees, most common on the inside of your knees.
It is mandatory for the doctors to conduct some clinical examinations to check the reason for the sensation.
Treatment plan
The knee pop or crackle, especially when you kneel to the floor or do the repetitive knee extensions and flexions are the definite symptoms of knee crepitus. Although the condition is mostly painless, it should be a concern, especially when you are aging. Healthcareprofessionals can suggest the right treatment plans based on the cause.
- The first line of treatment usually includes ice compression, rest, elevation.
- Physiotherapy, exercises and anti-inflammatory medication can relieve the pain.
If the above procedures fail, then surgery, splinting, or both will be necessary. It is for realigning a part of the knee.
Post-surgery crepitus
If the problem arises after undergoing surgery on the knee, then the doctors usually consider it to be insignificant. For some people, the condition may have existed before, but the rise in conscious monitoring of the knee makes you feel it.
