I get cracking sound in knee when I climb stairs. Please help.

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 60-year-old, my height is 5 finch and 3 feet, and my weight is 145 pounds. I slipped three weeks ago stretching my left leg. There was pain on the left side of my left knee joint and below. I was able to walk but whenever I bend my left leg a crack or pop sound comes from the left side of the knee joint followed by pain around that region and below and difficulty in walking. I got hospitalized in the nearest hospital where I was given a few rounds of physiotherapy but after feeling a little better crack or pop sound kept on originating when I was getting out of the car, and climbing stairs (when my leg bends). Then on the suggestion of the doctor, I was given Synvisc one injection in the left knee joint one week ago. The crack/pop sound still sometimes comes with little pain around the left knee. I was looking for another opinion.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You have degenerative changes in your knee which can cause the crackling sound of your knee. I believe your injury had caused some swelling and inflammation which has been tackled appropriately. Injection given acts as a lubricant which usually decreases the crackling sound. So, it will be worthwhile to wait and not get disheartened. The improvement does come, gradually but usually. You can also add on to some exercises to strengthen your quadriceps and hamstrings which further decreases pain. So do not be worried. It looks alright. MRI does show some injuries, which can be managed conservatively.