Popping, snapping, and crunching are all sounds that may occur in your knees. Not only are the noises concerning, but they may also indicate a more serious problem that needs to be managed to avoid worsening problems with your knee. There are several underlying issues that can cause your knees to make noises.
Arthritis
Although there are various forms of arthritis, the most common, osteoarthritis (OA), is a major culprit for knee problems. In the earlier stages of OA, you may not notice any pain or other signs of degeneration. As the cartilage in your knee deteriorates and there is joint space narrowing, your bones may start to rub together. This friction, bone spurs, or deteriorating cartilage may contribute to a popping, grinding, and snapping sensations in your knee. In severe cases, you may find you keep your leg straight to avoid the joint locking up. X-ray is typically used to diagnose OA, even in the early stages. When OA is mild to moderate, lifestyle changes may help. Weight reduction and exercise to build strength and place less stress on the joint might be enough to avoid exacerbation of the problem.
Tendinitis/Tenosynovitis
Tendinitis is inflammation of the tendons, which are pieces of connective tissue that connect muscle to bone. In contrast, tenosynovitis occurs when both the tendon and the tendon sheath are inflamed. Both conditions are generally associated with overuse injuries and may be more common in people who exercise regularly, such as athletes or those in manual labor jobs. Some forms of arthritis, such as inflammatory arthritis, may also affect soft tissues. When the tendon or tendon sheath becomes inflamed, the fluidity of movement is impaired. This may contribute to a clicking sound when bending or straightening the leg. Similarly, the tendon may rub against the inflamed tendon sheath and cause audible sounds. Some of these issues may be diagnosed on manual examination. A steroid injection may be helpful, combined with rest. If the problem is not part of an underlying disease process, it may eventually heal with time.
Ligament Injuries
With ligament injuries, the noise associated with the problem is acute. Often, when people tear or rupture a ligament, there is a noticeable pop, significant pain, and obvious instability in the knee. Weight-bearing can be impossible, so ligament injuries are more obvious than other causes of sounds in your knee and must be managed on an urgent basis. When diagnosing soft tissue injuries, an MRI is necessary since x-ray is incapable of showing this tissue. There are several ligaments within the knee, each responsible for a different type of stability. Minor tears may be successfully managed with conservative treatment and rehabilitation. Tears that substantially impact your physical activities or a rupture of the ligament will require surgery and rehabilitation.
No noise is good news when it comes to your knees. If you start noticing your knees are making noises, it is best to be cautious and have your knees evaluated for any arthritic or soft tissue damage. For more information, contact a company like Kenai Peninsula Imaging Center, LLC today.