Knee crackling: There is often a crackling sound when the knee moves while standing or sitting. This sound usually does not indicate joint damage or damage to the joint. However, sometimes after some kind of ligament injury, the sound comes from the knees. If there is pain along with the sound coming from your knees, then you should not take it lightly.
What could be the reasons for a crackling sound with pain in the knees?
Do not ignore sudden sharp pain upon standing. This can be caused by several types of injuries:
anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
The most common cause of knee pain is anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. There is also severe pain due to the sound coming from the knees. If this happens, you may have difficulty standing.
posterior cruciate ligament tear
The ACL isn’t the only ligament in your knee that can be injured. Injury to the posterior cruciate ligament also causes pain. However, the PCL occurs on the back of the knee, so ACL tears are more commonly seen. In addition, while a PCL tear may not be as severe as an ACL tear, you may experience swelling along with the pain.
medial collateral ligament tear
A tear in the medial collateral ligament of the knee can also cause severe pain and swelling and may make a sound with the injury. Depending on the tear, there may be pain or stiffness when the knee is bent.
lateral collateral ligament tear
An LCL injury is also common but is usually accompanied by another knee injury. When the lateral collateral ligament is torn, a sound comes from the bone in the knee. In which you may feel pain, numbness, stiffness along with weakness.
cartilage injury
If any piece of cartilage is damaged, then when the knee is bent, there is a sound from the bones present in it.
patellar tendon tear
Your patellar tendon connects the top of the shinbone to the top of the kneecap. This can lead to an inflammation called patellar tendonitis. In this too, there is a sound from the knee and you will feel unable to straighten your legs. It can also cause pain, cramps, sores.
knee arthritis
Knee arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis, develops when the cartilage that separates the bones in your knee joint breaks down. When you move your knee, you can feel the two bones rub against each other, causing a pop sound.
When should you see a doctor?
When you bump into someone or something, or there is a sudden impact on the knee, such as when you fall on a hard surface, the kneecap can make a popping sound. If you hear a crackling sound from your knee then you should immediately contact the doctor so that you can avoid a serious condition.
