What Does A Knee Popping Sound With Pain Indicate Despite Negative X-rays?

Posted on Wed, 11 Oct 2017

Question: I heard a pop in my knee followed by a lot of pain. Pain is sharp. I am unable to bear weight. I have taken a week off work thinking I sprained it, since I was in the yard when it happened however, I went back to work today and Barely made it through the day. Felt better immediately after taking weight of it when I got home. Dr did take an X-ray it showed nothing. the pain can be pinpointed to the front of the knee and a little to the right.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Can be a ligament injury.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
You must have hurt your internal structures in knee. These are anterior/posterior cruciate ligament, medial/lateral collateral ligament, medial and lateral menisci, joint capsule, synovium, crossing muscles, bone cartilage and bone itself. It needs proper clinical examination and relevant investigations to diagnose which among these is hurt. Your x-rays show no bony and other gross abnormality whatsoever. It leaves us with possibility of ligament, meniscus, capsule or synovial injury. These are best visualized on MRI (Magnetic Resonant Imaging).
A pair of knee supports can add to stability. But that again depends on your exact condition. If you don't get relief, proceed with MRI.

I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

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