What To Do About Noisy Knees

If your knees make disturbing popping sounds when you squat, New York Times’ health answer man Anahad O’Connor can tell you what to do about it: nothing. That’s right, nothing. Writing in the Times, O’Connor reports that “the crackling or popping sound you hear is known as crepitus. In some cases, it may be nothing more than bubbles of gas popping in your joints. It can also result from the cartilage in your knees losing their smoothness, causing bones and tissue to rub together noisily when you bend your legs.”  That’s the good news. The bad news is that if your knees also hurt, and/or lock up with the strange noises, you could have a meniscus tear, and may want to consult an orthopedic expert. Also, according to O’Connor’s chosen expert, Dr. Michael Stuart, a professor of orthopedic surgery and co-director of sports medicine at the Mayo Clinic, crunching or grinding when you perform a squat may be associated with arthritis–another reason to talk to a doctor.  The take away? Popping without pain is just noise. Popping with pain means it’s time to talk to an expert.