Knee -known, known in medical terms such as knee crackling, are a common experience in all ages. But before charging the panic button, it is worth noticing what they mean by having these “noisy knees.”
It’s a quiet morning. Tennis pants, leaves home and starts a quick walk. But in the first steps, there is: a slight sound of friction, almost like the crackling gravil – Only… comes from the knee.
It reminds you of noticing the same noise as you climb the stairs last week. It makes some quick stretches and continues to walk. But the sound comes back immediately.
Anxiety is installed: There will be something wrong With my knee? Is the bone to brush in the bone? Will you develop arthrosis?
This is a common experience In people of all ages, they explain Jamon Couch e Man culvenorteachers from La Trobe University, Australia, in an article no.
But before charging the panic button, it is worth noticing what these “noisy knees” – known in medical terms as knee crackling – They can really mean.
What is knee crackling? And how often it is?
Knee crackling refers to stalid, creepy or friction noise that appear when double or stretch the joint. You can hear them When climbing stairsget up from a chair or simply when walking.
Curiously, It is not yet known for sure What causes this crackling. Theories point to possible cartilage injuries, tendons to slide on the bones or small gas bubbles in the liquid surrounding the knee.
But current scientific evidence is insufficient to clearly determine the origin of this common symptom.
One of 103 studies on knee crackling (involving 36,439 people), conducted by Couch and Adam Culvenor and recently published in Bristish Journal of Sports Medicine, revealed that 41% of the general population It had noisy knees.
There is a perception that these noises are Sign of injury or arthrosis. However, 36% of people Without pain or history of knee injury They also had crackling. I.e: Creditation is frequenteven among people without any joint problem.
But I heard that it is an early sign of arthrosis…
Having crackling can lead to worry and even lead some people to avoid exercise or effort with their knees. The question is recurring: Will I cause more damage? This means that I will have arthrosis?
It is true that noisy knees are more common in older adults with arthrosis: 81% of people with osteoarthritis present crackling.
However, the presence of this symptom is not, by itself, a warning of future problems, Nor should it be reason to stop exercising.
In one with 3,495 older adults (average age of 61), published in 2018 in Arthritis Care & Research2/3 of those who reported always having crackling did not develop symptomatic osteoarthritis In the next four years.
Among the youngest with previous knee injuries, the situation is similar: crackling It is common, especially after surgerybut does not necessarily mean serious damage.
In another conducted by Cacch and Adam Culvenor, with 112 young adults (average age of 28) who had been operated on knee injuries, and published last month in Arthritis Care & Researchthose who presented crackling were twice the probability of having injuries in cartilage (especially in the role) In the first year after surgery.
However, this did not translate into worse long -term results. That is: who presents crackling may feel more pain or symptoms in the early stages After an injury, but that does not mean a worse or greater risk recovery of arthrosis in the future.
What to do about the noisy knees?
Given that crackling is common even in people without pain, injury or arthrosis, usually There is no reason for alarm. Yes, it may be uncomfortable to listen to the knees crackle in silence, but if there is no associated pain, it is not usually worrying.
Unfortunately, There are no effective treatments specific to crackling. It is best to bet on joint health measures: regular exercise – both aerobic and muscle reinforcement – and maintain a proper weight.
It is also important be careful with the information available online: More than half of the advice on “knees to crack” It has no solid scientific base.
In 2023 in 2023 Science Directa team of researchers from La Trobe University analyzed 51 sites with information about knee crackling, found a great variation in credibility general of the websites, with more than Half of the sites without reliable information.
So when should you worry?
Although generally harmless, crackling can justify evaluation Medical if it comes with pain, swelling, instability or knee block, or other signs of arthrosis, such as stiffness, redness or loss of mobility.
In these cases, The doctor may perform a physical assessmentanalyze knee structures and realize the impact of symptoms on quality of life.
Treatment may include physical therapy and exercise to reinforce support muscles, nutritional counseling for weight control, or anti-inflammatory medication.
Most important: knees that grind or crack, but without pain or other symptoms, They are not usually a cause for concern. So put on the tennis and keep moving.
