Why Do Your Knees Click and Should You Worry?

One of the most concerns among people regarding their knees is a strange clicking sound when extending the joint. The reason behind these clicky knee sounds can range from simple changes in pressure inside the joint to arthritis and wearing kneecaps. In mild cases (i.e., when the clicking sound is rare and not associated with pain and swelling), these sounds are seldom a reason to worry about deteriorating health.

Many patients visit our London clinic asking, “Why does my knee keep clicking?” This often happens during everyday activities like standing up from a chair or climbing stairs. Research shows that knee crepitus affects a significant portion of the population, even among those who do not experience any pain or swelling during movement.

However, if the clicky sounds are persistent and painful, you need to get immediate medical attention from a certified physiotherapist clinic like Southgate Physio in North London, UK. Our experts will use evidence-based assessment tools to identify the underlying cause of the clicking sounds and suggest a corrective solution if needed.

Get in touch with our clinic and talk to our professional physiotherapists today!

What is the Clicking Sound in the Knees?

The clicking sound in the knees is medically termed crepitus and is incredibly common. Usually, this sound occurs when tiny nitrogen bubbles burst inside the synovial fluid in a joint upon movement (the process is called “cavitation”). The sound appears when you move the joint more than it is supposed to, creating a loud audible sound. It is not the sound of “bones rubbing together” as popularly believed.

Recent studies suggest that a clicking sound in the knee joints can also be caused by the formation of air pockets rather than just their collapse. This occurs when the joint volume increases rapidly, creating a temporary vacuum. Furthermore, it is not just the fluid that causes noise; soft tissues, tendons, and ligaments can also produce sound as they move across the complex geometry of the knee joint. This type of knee clicking may be noticed during walking, bending, or straightening.

Common Physiological (Non-Harmful) Causes

If your knee keeps clicking without causing pain or discomfort, it is usually due to one of the following:

• Joint Fluid Cavitation: The most common cause of a solitary, loud “pop” when standing up.
• Ligament/Tendon Snapping: Connective tissues may “catch” on a small bony prominence or a patch of old scar tissue and then snap back into place, creating an audible click.
• Benign Surface Irregularities: Even in healthy joints, the cartilage is not perfectly smooth; minor variations can lead to a low-grade grinding sensation or a clicking feeling.

In many cases, a clicking knee with no pain is linked to normal joint movement rather than damage.

When Clicking Indicates a Problem: Pathological Causes

That said, there are certain other conditions when you may notice a sound in your knees that may be a cause of concern. If you notice any of these, you should consult a physiotherapist immediately:

1. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the inflammation and pain of the joints in your body that usually appears in people after the age of 50. Biochemical changes and mechanical stress cause wear and tear in the cartilage usually in the joints that bear the weight of the body, i.e., knees. If you notice crepitus with pain and swelling, it may be an indication of early onset osteoarthritis. At Southgate Physio, we provide extensive care and pain management for arthritis-associated pain and swelling. Get in touch with our registered experts to know more about how we help patients deal with arthritis.

Many patients report that their knee clicks when walking, which can be an early sign of joint wear. Osteoarthritis (OA) affects over 4.6 million people in England. While traditional treatments focus on pain management, advanced options such as Arthrosamid injections, a long-lasting hydrogel, and N-stride injections, which use the body’s own anti-inflammatory factors, may help reduce pain and support joint health. If the clicking becomes painful or is linked with stiffness and swelling, it should be assessed properly.

2. Runner’s Knee

Iliotibial band syndrome (also called runner’s knee) is a painful overuse injury characterised by immense pain in the front of the knee. It can be caused by a structural defect and happens when the iliotibial band flicks over the lateral condyle bone. The most common symptom of a runner’s knee is a progressively painful knee joint. Treatment for this condition involves not overusing the leg muscles till the pain subsides.

Patients often describe this as their knee clicks when they bend it. This is often due to kneecap tracking issues, where the kneecap doesn’t glide smoothly in its femoral groove. If the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap becomes irritated, it can lead to a crunching or grinding sensation known as chondromalacia patellae. If the clicking becomes painful or is linked with stiffness and swelling, it should be assessed properly.

3. Baker’s Cyst

In Baker’s Cyst, you will notice a clicking sound at the back of the knee. This condition occurs due to a fluid-filled sac (benign cyst) flicking against the hamstring and medial tendons. It is usually pain-free and not dangerous as the swelling will go away on its own. However, if there is pain while walking and running, you should consult an experienced physiotherapist at once.

A Baker’s Cyst is often a secondary symptom of another issue, such as a meniscus tear or arthritis. If you notice clicking in the knee at the back of the joint, it may indicate fluid buildup that requires diagnostic evaluation.

Research Spotlight: The La Trobe Longitudinal Study

A pivotal study published in Arthritis Care & Research has changed how we counsel young adults with noisy knees. Researchers followed 112 participants who had undergone ACL surgery for five years.

Key Finding: While people with knee crepitus were 2.7 times more likely to have cartilage defects in the first year, the noise did not predict a worsening of symptoms or structural damage over the following four years. For younger patients, this means that while you may ask “why does my knee keep clicking,” it is not a “red flag” for rapid joint deterioration, provided you stay active with rehabilitation.

Functional Movement Rehab

Modern rehabilitation focuses on “Prehab” and functional muscle control. If you are experiencing knee clicking when bending, our therapists focus on the “VMO” (Vastus Medialis Oblique) the muscle responsible for tracking the kneecap.

In most situations, you likely have nothing to worry about when there is a clicking sound on your knees. However, if there is persistent pain and swelling along with the clicking sound, get in touch with the experts at Southgate Physio immediately.

Joint Health, Surgery, and Nutrition

Musculoskeletal health is currently the leading driver of economic inactivity in the UK. Early intervention for a clicking sound in knee can be the difference between a simple course of physiotherapy and needing a full joint replacement later in life. Early treatment is especially important if the knee clicking affects movement or becomes painful over time.

Surgical trends are moving toward cementless technology and 3D-printed tibial components, which allow your own bone to grow into the implant. These advancements are often assisted by AI-driven robotics, ensuring better joint balance and reducing post-operative clicking.

Nutrition & Supplements:

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Reduce inflammation.
• Collagen Type II (UC-II): Supports cartilage.
• Turmeric & Tamaflex: Shown to reduce pain scores in days.

Physiotherapy Services We Offer

Our clinic offers a wide range of treatments that are all recommended and tailored to everyone who comes and visits us. Our range of treatments complements the body and mind, helping to keep you pain and injury-free, delivering preventative measures to maintain your well-being and enhance your performance levels.

Our main aim is to restore your personal well-being so you can enjoy an active, healthy, and pain-free life. Click on any of the services to find out a little more about each treatment and understand if it might be right for you.

• Home Visit Physiotherapy
• Sports Injury Rehabilitation
• Musculoskeletal Injuries Treatment
• Pain Management
• Pilates
• Acupuncture
• Shockwave Therapy
• Theraflex
• Pre and Post Operative Rehabilitation
• Elderly Rehabilitation
• Sports Massage
• Online Video Consultation
• Sports Physiotherapy

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