We all have heard our knee joints popping at some point or the other, but have we even stopped for a second and wondered what may be causing it? I believe not, not unless we experience some form of pain along with the pop. This noise usually occurs when we bend out knees suddenly. For instance the other day, I bent down to pick up a pen which had fallen off my hand and I heard my left knee popping. Quite irritating if you ask me, after all it isn't normal and it shouldn't happen to young people. Of course it is often believed that the older you get, your tendons, ligaments and muscles tend to weaken, which may explain this strange phenomenon. None the less, why would a normal healthy person be going through the same? This article will find out what's causing knee popping but no pain.
Causes for Knee Constantly Popping
Joint Cavitation
Cavitation in the joints means that small air bubbles which form in the knee joints and in the synovial fluid. This fluid is responsible for protecting the articular cartilage of the joints from creating friction by rubbing against each other. When the two parts of the synovial joints get further apart from each other than normally permissible, the space between the two expands. This space cannot be covered by the limited quantity of synovial fluid already present in the joints.
This results in the carbon dioxide (CO2) being released from the synovial fluid, which goes on to occupy the empty space and thus causes air bubbles. It is these bubbles which make the popping sound when ever we bend our knees suddenly.
Patella Imbalance
The patella is also known as the knee cap. It's main function is to protect the underlying knee tissues from injury and infection. Also sometimes, dehydration, too little exercise to too much of it can weaken the patellas and other parts of the knee. The knee cap may get pulled to one side due to sudden and unexpected leg movement.
For instance when we lose balance and fall down on our knee, the patella may get displaced slightly. While this displacement usually causes a lot of pain, many a times the shift is very minor and may result in air getting trapped in the free space in the knee. This will thus cause popping sounds when you use your knee.
Strenuous Workouts
Many athletes have complained of their knee joints popping. The reason could be an imbalance in the fluids within the knees, because the space between the surfaces of the bones, cartilages and ligaments is constantly being exerted and stretched. Therefore there is more and more vacuum being created and more air bubbles being formed. In this case more blood circulation will be needed so as to strengthen the leg muscles.
If the legs are strong, they will absorb some of the excess pressure while exercising. Since the fluid is less and the gases are more in the knee, slight circular massages and warm oil therapy will help lubricate the tissues. This will reduce the friction and the air bubbles. As long as there is no pain along with the sound cracking, this condition poses no threat and should not be a cause of concern.
Weight Issues
A fact undisputed, is that if you are overweight, your entire body mass is held up by your lower body, which is inclusive of your knees. So if this is the case, may be the clicking knee sound is somewhat like your knees complaining aloud that you need to lose some weight. You may try shedding some of the body weight through simple and less strenuous exercises. Eating healthy and drastically cutting down on fatty foods, will make the job faster and safer. For those who have been trying to lose weight and have been hearing their knee pop, they must see to it that they keep their body well aligned.
Do not apply excessive pressure on your knee tendons, as they will become weaker and more abused, as compared to the other parts of the body. Try wearing sports shoes which have excellent soles and support, so that there is a cushion which absorbs some of the pressure while exercising.
Knee Popping with Pain
As I mentioned before, as long as there is no pain, you'll be alright. However there are many people who have been suffering from slight or acute pain and knee popping sound when walking or while climbing up the stairs. If you too have felt the same, you need to get your knees checked as soon as possible. The reason being that, there is definitely something not right and which needs looking after. Following are some of the reasons for this condition:
* Chondromalacia Patella
* Damaged cartilage
* Inflammation in ligament or tendon
* Arthritis
* Osteoporosis
You still do not need to worry, as this condition can be easily rectified through proper treatment. This can happen to people of all age groups starting from young adults as old as 15 and above. Among youngsters the reasons can be because of over exerting the knees during games, cycling and workout. It could also be due to injuries or sprains in the knee.
Among older people, calcium deficiency can lead to osteoporosis which eventually causes the bones to become rather porous. This results in more air bubbles getting trapped in the joints. Hopefully now you know, why there is knee popping but no pain in your case and what all may be causing the pain if any.
Causes for Knee Constantly Popping
Joint Cavitation
Cavitation in the joints means that small air bubbles which form in the knee joints and in the synovial fluid. This fluid is responsible for protecting the articular cartilage of the joints from creating friction by rubbing against each other. When the two parts of the synovial joints get further apart from each other than normally permissible, the space between the two expands. This space cannot be covered by the limited quantity of synovial fluid already present in the joints.
This results in the carbon dioxide (CO2) being released from the synovial fluid, which goes on to occupy the empty space and thus causes air bubbles. It is these bubbles which make the popping sound when ever we bend our knees suddenly.
Patella Imbalance
The patella is also known as the knee cap. It's main function is to protect the underlying knee tissues from injury and infection. Also sometimes, dehydration, too little exercise to too much of it can weaken the patellas and other parts of the knee. The knee cap may get pulled to one side due to sudden and unexpected leg movement.
For instance when we lose balance and fall down on our knee, the patella may get displaced slightly. While this displacement usually causes a lot of pain, many a times the shift is very minor and may result in air getting trapped in the free space in the knee. This will thus cause popping sounds when you use your knee.
Strenuous Workouts
Many athletes have complained of their knee joints popping. The reason could be an imbalance in the fluids within the knees, because the space between the surfaces of the bones, cartilages and ligaments is constantly being exerted and stretched. Therefore there is more and more vacuum being created and more air bubbles being formed. In this case more blood circulation will be needed so as to strengthen the leg muscles.
If the legs are strong, they will absorb some of the excess pressure while exercising. Since the fluid is less and the gases are more in the knee, slight circular massages and warm oil therapy will help lubricate the tissues. This will reduce the friction and the air bubbles. As long as there is no pain along with the sound cracking, this condition poses no threat and should not be a cause of concern.
Weight Issues
A fact undisputed, is that if you are overweight, your entire body mass is held up by your lower body, which is inclusive of your knees. So if this is the case, may be the clicking knee sound is somewhat like your knees complaining aloud that you need to lose some weight. You may try shedding some of the body weight through simple and less strenuous exercises. Eating healthy and drastically cutting down on fatty foods, will make the job faster and safer. For those who have been trying to lose weight and have been hearing their knee pop, they must see to it that they keep their body well aligned.
Do not apply excessive pressure on your knee tendons, as they will become weaker and more abused, as compared to the other parts of the body. Try wearing sports shoes which have excellent soles and support, so that there is a cushion which absorbs some of the pressure while exercising.
Knee Popping with Pain
As I mentioned before, as long as there is no pain, you'll be alright. However there are many people who have been suffering from slight or acute pain and knee popping sound when walking or while climbing up the stairs. If you too have felt the same, you need to get your knees checked as soon as possible. The reason being that, there is definitely something not right and which needs looking after. Following are some of the reasons for this condition:
* Chondromalacia Patella
* Damaged cartilage
* Inflammation in ligament or tendon
* Arthritis
* Osteoporosis
You still do not need to worry, as this condition can be easily rectified through proper treatment. This can happen to people of all age groups starting from young adults as old as 15 and above. Among youngsters the reasons can be because of over exerting the knees during games, cycling and workout. It could also be due to injuries or sprains in the knee.
Among older people, calcium deficiency can lead to osteoporosis which eventually causes the bones to become rather porous. This results in more air bubbles getting trapped in the joints. Hopefully now you know, why there is knee popping but no pain in your case and what all may be causing the pain if any.
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