What Causes Clicking Sound In Knee?

Posted on Wed, 24 Sep 2014

Question: I do occasionally sense a clicking sound in my knee though with no pain.

Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (5 days later)

Brief Answer:
Painless clicking not a cause for concern.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your question,

It is not uncommon for normal joints to click, snap and grind. If this is painless and not accompanied by any restriction in range of movement, function or a limp then I instruct my patients to ignore the sensation.

The commonest cause of painless clicking in the knee joint is a plica or a fold in the lining of the knee joint. This is part of the normal anatomy of the knee.

The commonest cause of a clicking swollen painful knee joint is a tear in the meniscus in the knee.

I hope this answers your question.

best wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Karl Logan (29 minutes later)

There is no pain or swelling, but it is on the same leg that has the soreness around the knee somewhere to the left and right sides when going up and down stairs. That leg also had surgery 50 years ago as a child, what was called posterior tibial transfer.

Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
further investigation and treatment discussed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your follow up quesiton.

If you do have discomfort and tenderness around the joint line between the thigh and shin bones then you may have some early arthritis associated with a degenerate meniscal tear. This can be investigated with X-rays initially and an MRI scan. If this shows mild arthritis with an associated meniscal tear then an arthroscopic debridement of the tear (using a camera and small incisions) may help your symptoms.

I hope this further answers your question.

Best wishes

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar