One common symptom experienced by individuals with osteoarthritis in the knee is a clicking or popping sensation. This can be unsettling for many people, but it is important to understand what causes this phenomenon and how it relates to the condition.
The knee is made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time, often resulting in chronic pain. Joint pain and stiffness can become severe enough to make daily tasks difficult. Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common condition that’s caused by cartilage that breaks down between the joints of the knee. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can affect the many tissues of the joint. It is by far the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 32.5 million adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What Causes Knee Clicking in Osteoarthritis?
It’s a very common sports injury, especially in those that include sudden stops, direction changes, and jumping. Athletes or even “weekend warriors” who play football, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, tennis, volleyball, or downhill skiing are at an increased risk of damaging their ACL. But this type of injury is not just confined to sports; it can result from a car accident or even work activities. Pain, swelling, loss of full range of motion, inability to bear weight, and a sensation of knee instability also occur. Although the RICE protocol can be used to immediately treat the injury, it’s important to promptly see your doctor so that a proper diagnosis can be made.
In osteoarthritis, the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones in the knee joint wears down over time, leading to bone-on-bone contact. This can result in various sounds such as clicking, popping, or grinding as the bones move against each other during activity.
Is Knee Clicking a Cause for Concern?
While knee clicking in osteoarthritis may be bothersome, it is not necessarily a cause for concern on its own. However, if the clicking is accompanied by pain, swelling, or instability in the knee, it may indicate a more serious issue that requires medical attention.
Pain is usually felt underneath and/or at the sides of the patella, and swelling often occurs as well. You may hear clicking or popping when you bend your knee. Or, you may hear crunching when you climb stairs or squat. The RICE protocol can help reduce the symptoms of chondromalacia patella as well as over-the-counter medications such as NSAIDs and acetaminophen. Knee bracing alone or combined with taping can provide relief for many people.
Simple steps that can be taken which don’t have much risk include avoidance of the activities that cause symptoms (activity modification) and weight loss (if appropriate). Some patients find nutritional supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin to be helpful; however the data on these products is somewhat inconsistent. If there is pain with knee clicking, it’s important for me to rest the knee, apply ice, and if necessary, use anti-inflammatory medications. Continued discomfort warrants a consultation with a healthcare professional.
Managing Knee Clicking in Osteoarthritis
When this happens, the bones of the joints rub more closely against one another with less of the shock-absorbing benefits of cartilage. The rubbing results in pain, swelling, stiffness, less ability to move, and, sometimes, the formation of bone spurs. Arthritis of the knee joint is a serious, painful disease that gets worse with age. Osteoarthritis is the most common type, and you can get it in one or both knees.
- Exercise: Strengthening the muscles around the knee can help support the joint and reduce clicking.
- Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce stress on the knee joint and alleviate symptoms.
- Physical Therapy: Working with a physical therapist can improve flexibility and range of motion in the knee.
The synovial membrane, a type of tissue that surrounds the joint, lubricates the cartilage. Osteoarthritis of the knee can weaken your calf, thigh and hip muscles, but there’s no indication this muscle weakness is painful. Unfortunately, the effects of osteoarthritis of the knee can’t be reversed. But treatment and self-care can help relieve your symptoms and slow your condition’s progress.
FAQs
Q: Is knee clicking always a sign of osteoarthritis?
A: Not necessarily. Knee clicking can be caused by a variety of factors, so it is best to consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.
Q: Can I prevent knee clicking in osteoarthritis?
A: While it may not be entirely preventable, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying active, and following a treatment plan recommended by your doctor can help manage symptoms.
