Do your knees creak, crack, pop, or grind when you squat, climb stairs, or get up from a chair? You’re not alone. Are you worried? Knee crepitus, the medical term for those audible sounds and sensations in your knee joint, is remarkably common and often causes concern for our patients.
Recent research has shed new light on what people actually think about their creaky knees and whether these concerns are affecting their activity levels. At The Jersey Sports & Spinal Clinic, we believe understanding the evidence is key to helping you stay active and confident in your movement.
What the Research Tells Us
A qualitative study published in Musculoskeletal Care interviewed 24 people with knee crepitus to understand their beliefs, concerns, and behaviours around their creaky knees. The findings offer valuable insights for anyone experiencing this common phenomenon.
The Key Findings
Crepitus Isn’t the Main Concern
Perhaps surprisingly, the study found that people with knee crepitus don’t consider it a major worry. About half of the participants had crepitus without any pain, while others experienced both. Interestingly, even when pain was present, many found no clear connection between the timing or severity of pain and the presence of crepitus.
What matters most to people? Pain and function, not the noise itself.
Initial Worry Fades Over Time
While some participants felt worried when they first noticed the crepitus, this concern typically diminished as time passed. Most concluded that crepitus in isolation, without pain, wasn’t something to worry about.
Exercise Beliefs Remain Positive
Every participant in the study believed that exercise was healthy for their knees, provided it was the right type. This is excellent news and aligns with current evidence-based practice. However, here’s where things get interesting: many people were modifying their movements to avoid the crepitus and any associated pain.
Knowledge Gaps Exist
Despite their curiosity about what the sounds meant, none of the participants had specifically contacted a healthcare professional to ask about their crepitus. Those who had mentioned it to a clinician received varying responses, with some being reassured it wasn’t a concern. Many expressed that they would appreciate learning more about what crepitus means and what exercises would be most beneficial.
What Does This Mean for You?
Understanding Crepitus
Knee crepitus can occur when gas bubbles burst in the synovial fluid or when tendons and ligaments move over bony surfaces. While it may sometimes be an early warning sign of knee osteoarthritis, it’s also commonly present in healthy joints. The key is context.
When to Seek Professional Advice
You should contact our physio team if:
- Crepitus is accompanied by pain
- You’re experiencing swelling or stiffness
- The sounds are associated with reduced function or mobility
- You’re modifying your activities due to concern about the noises
The Danger of Avoidance
One of the most important takeaways from this research is that misconceptions about crepitus may be negatively affecting exercise behaviours. If you’re avoiding certain movements or reducing your activity levels because you’re worried about joint sounds, you could actually be doing more harm than good.
Exercise is one of the most effective treatments we have for knee health, including for knee osteoarthritis. Reducing your activity based on unfounded fears about crepitus could lead to:
- Reduced strength and muscle support around the knee
- Decreased joint mobility
- Lower overall fitness and health
- Increased risk of developing actual joint problems
Our Approach at JSSC
At The Jersey Sports & Spinal Clinic, we take knee crepitus seriously, not because the sounds themselves are necessarily problematic, but because we understand the impact that uncertainty and worry can have on your movement and activity levels.
When you come to us with concerns about creaky knees, we will:
- Thoroughly assess your situation – Understanding whether there are any genuine concerns or whether reassurance and education are what you need most
- Provide clear explanations – Helping you understand what’s happening in your knee and what it means for your health
- Offer reassurance about exercise – Emphasizing the benefits of staying active and helping you feel confident in your movement
- Create an individualised plan – Working with you to find the types of exercise and physical activity that will be most beneficial for you personally
- Address pain and function – If pain or reduced function accompanies your crepitus, we’ll develop a targeted treatment plan to address these issues
The Bottom Line
Knee crepitus is common, often benign, and not something most people need to worry about in isolation. However, if you have concerns, questions, or if the sounds are accompanied by pain or functional limitations, don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance.
The worst outcome would be avoiding beneficial exercise because of unfounded worries about what those sounds might mean. We’re here to provide you with the knowledge, reassurance, and expert care you need to stay active and achieve your goals.
If you’re experiencing knee crepitus and would like to discuss it with one of our experienced physiotherapists, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help you maximize your potential, performance, and wellbeing.
Reference: Drum E, Kovats A, Jones M, Dennis S, Naylor J, Mills K, Thom J (2023) Creaky knees: Is there a reason for concern? A qualitative study of the perspectives of people with knee crepitus. Musculoskeletal Care, 1ā11.
Contact The Jersey Sports & Spinal Clinic: Phone: 01534 490312 Email: reception@physiojersey.com Book Online