Why Does My Knee Hurt and Make a Cracking Sound?

The most complex and main load-bearing joint in our human body is the knee. Sometimes when we stand up or squat, the knee joint may make a noise, which most people do not pay attention to and consider it a normal phenomenon. However, if there is pain along with the knee joint noise, everyone should pay attention to it. It is likely caused by some pathological changes in the knee joint. Next, let's take a closer look at what might cause knee pain and bone noise.

Physiological crepitus is a natural reaction that occurs only once when squatting and does not occur continuously. It has the effect of relieving spasms, activating the flow of qi and blood, and relieving pressure.

The meniscus is located on the articular surfaces of the inner and outer sides of the tibial platform, with a thicker outer layer and a thinner inner layer. It enhances stability and buffers pressure. When the meniscus is damaged, it produces a crisp and frequent clicking sound. If not treated promptly, it can damage articular cartilage and induce osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis increases the friction between joints, resulting in a clicking sound when squatting or standing up, sometimes accompanied by pain.

If the knee has been injured and not treated promptly, or if the knee has not fully recovered, there may be a problem of synovial hyperplasia in the knee joint area. Once the synovium gets stuck in the joint, it will produce a sound.

Chronic damage to the articular cartilage of the patella can cause swelling, cracking, fragmentation, and erosion of the knee cartilage and femoral condyle cartilage, ultimately leading to patellar chondromalacia. When the knee joint moves, there will be a sound accompanied by discomfort and swelling and pain. The more severe the wear and tear of the articular cartilage of the patella, the more obvious the abnormal crepitus.

The presence of loose bodies in the knee can cause clicking sounds in the knee, which are small and irregular, and the location of occurrence is not fixed.

If the cruciate ligament of the knee joint is damaged, there will be persistent distending pain, and a clicking sound can be heard, indicating displacement between the bones.