# Why are my knees crackling? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 19, 2003, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-knees-crackling/196199 "2003-08-19T13:37:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Labor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Labor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labor)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-knees-crackling/196199/1 "2003-08-19T13:37:11Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Omnipresent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8c91f0/32.png) [@Omnipresent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omnipresent)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-knees-crackling/196199/2 "2003-08-19T13:47:18Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![jamie1928](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f4b2a3/32.png) [@jamie1928](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jamie1928)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-knees-crackling/196199/3 "2003-08-19T14:00:28Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-knees-crackling/196199/4 "2003-08-19T14:02:00Z")
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](http://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](http://www.wheatons.com/Glucosamine.htm) ), though I have no idea whether they do any good ---
**Author:** ![frixxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@frixxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frixxxx)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-knees-crackling/196199/5 "2003-08-19T14:11:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Labor \* > \*\* > 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. \*\* Here’s a site…But your doc may be the best source! Good luck on your marathon! > **[Joint Popping and Cracking | Johns Hopkins Department of Orthopaedic Surgery](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/orthopaedic-surgery/specialty-areas/sports-medicine/conditions-we-treat/joint-popping-cracking.html)** > > At Johns Hopkins, our experienced orthopaedic surgeons offer thorough evaluations and effective treatments for joint cracking and popping. A goog peruse may offer more! ---
**Author:** ![Labor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Labor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labor)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-knees-crackling/196199/6 "2003-08-19T14:24:38Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2003, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-knees-crackling/196199/7 "2003-08-20T02:18:58Z")
i think your radio knee needs to have a bigger antenna… if it’s crackling, it’s probably a reception problem.