Why are my knees crackling?

Factual Questions
1

My knees which have always been healthy in the past are starting to make all sorts of sounds. They crackle.

I am training for a marathon so there is lots of extra strain on them lately as I move into the high mileage weeks. After a long run (16 miles) they are sore but not painful, but they really make an interesting crackling sound, not popping, like the sound of cracker crumbs in a plastic bag. It is especially noticable when walking up stairs. If I fell my knee while walking up stairs I feel something that corresponds to the sound, like there is something rubbing or moving that is making a crackling sound.

Just for the record, I have not fallen, been hit or suffered any trauma, I am completely healthy with the exception of noisy knees.

Finally, please excuse the excessive use of the work crackly.

So what’s the scoop? What’s causing this sound? Is there anything I can do or take to make it go away? I have tried singing as I walk up stairs to drown out the sound but this seems like an ineffective cure.

2

I have a crackle in one of my knees. All I have to do is bend it. It will “crack” every time.

I was training for a marathon and thought to have it checked. The doctor bent my leg around a bit and said that all was fine.

I know I asked about the crackle but, for the life of me, can’t remember what he said.

Sorry.

3

The crackle sound comes from tiny little air or fluid bubbles popping. Or at least thats what my doc told me.
I forget how they get there though.

4

it may well be crepitus, which in joint terms is the rubbing of dry cartilage against each other. see www.knee1.com/reference/faq10.cfm/25

A good rule is if it does not hurt then it is probably OK. I have had it for 15 years no problems. It may be a long term indicator of arthritus to come though.

Some people chondroitin or glucosamine (e.g. see http://www.wheatons.com/Glucosamine.htm ), though I have no idea whether they do any good

5

Here’s a site…But your doc may be the best source!

Good luck on your marathon!

A goog peruse may offer more!

6

Frixxxx. Thanks for that link. Just what I needed to hear. I was having terrible fears of spending the rest of my life in a wheelchair, or needing leg replacement therapy of some other outlandish manipulation of my mind.

Also thanks for the marathon encouragement. 16 miles was long but not a killer. I delayed this morning’s run because of worries about my knees. Now I can run without fear tomorrow!

It is so nice to think that I will go 8 miles before going to work. Makes me feel bulletproof.

7

i think your radio knee needs to have a bigger antenna… if it’s crackling, it’s probably a reception problem.