Is That Noise Coming from Your Knee Something to Worry About?

Are you hearing strange clicking, grinding, or popping sounds from your knees? Just like the "monster under the bed," it might sound scary—but it’s often nothing to worry about!

In this blog, we’ll explore what causes these sounds (known as crepitus), separate myth from fact, and help you understand when it’s time to seek help—and when it’s not.

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What’s That Sound, Really?

The noise you're hearing is called crepitus. It refers to the crackling or popping sounds that can occur during knee movement. Crepitus can happen with or without pain, and while it can be unsettling, research has not identified a consistent cause or link to actual tissue damage.

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So, Is It Dangerous? Probably not.

Many people associate knee noise with damage or deterioration, especially after doing some late-night Googling. But according to research, this link is weak or nonexistent.

A study by Oliveira Silva et al. (2018) found that women with knee pain showed no significant differences in symptoms or function—whether they had crepitus or not. In a later study, the same author reported that although crepitus was more common in women with knee pain, it was not associated with functional limitations like pain on stairs, squatting, or reduced activity levels.

In people with arthritis, those with crepitus may report lower function and quality of life—but when actual measures like strength are tested, there are no differences. This suggests that perception, not physical function, is the real issue.

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The Power of Belief

Your mind is a powerful tool. If you believe that your noisy knees signal damage, you're more likely to move differently—perhaps more cautiously or less frequently. This can lead to poor movement patterns, stiffness, and even discomfort that didn’t exist before.

Fear—not crepitus—is the true limitation.

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What Should You Do?

Keep moving.
Movement is medicine—“motion is lotion”! If your knees make noise but there’s no pain or history of injury, you’re likely just fine.

However, if you do experience pain, swelling, or have a past knee injury, don’t ignore it. Visit us at Physical Therapy Solutions for a thorough evaluation. We’ll get to the root of the issue and guide you with evidence-based treatment tailored to your needs.

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