Q. I’ve noticed cracking and grinding noises in my knees. I’m starting to notice mild pain, especially when bending my knees or going up and down stairs. Is this arthritis? What can I do about this?
A
Noisy joints, especially the knees, are common and often harmless. Your joints can make grinding, creaking, clicking, popping and other noises when they move, called crepitus. There are several possible causes of crepitus. For example, air bubbles inside a joint can burst, causing popping or cracking. Sometimes, a tendon or ligament snaps over a bony bump, producing a popping or cracking sound. Ligaments can tighten with movement and create sounds when they move over bone. Muscle tightness in the neck can cause it to grind during movement. These are generally harmless.
To continue reading this article or issue you must be a paid subscriber. Sign in
Subscribe to Arthritis Advisor
Get the next year of Arthritis Advisor for just $20. And access all of our online content - over 1,000 articles - free of charge.
Subscribe today and save 36%. It's like getting 4 months FREE!
