When you hear a crunching sound in your knee, it can be alarming. There are several reasons why you may be hearing the sound. Some reasons aren’t a call for concern, such as air bubbles releasing. There are also conditions or injuries that could result in the sound, including torn cartilage and osteoarthritis. 

If you’re experiencing constant crunching sounds from your knee joint, there are treatment options that can address it. With the right tips and tricks, such as seeking physical therapy, you can reduce the sound and any co-occurring symptoms, such as pain or instability.

3 ways to get rid of the crunching sound in your knee

Crepitus is the medical term for a crunching, popping and crackling sound that comes from joints. When you’re hearing crepitus from your knee joint, here are a few tips that can help address the sound as well as any pain that may be coming from the root issue behind it:

• Prioritize exercise — It’s no secret that regular exercise is always important for both your mental and physical health. Exercise can help address and treat crepitus by strengthening and stretching the surrounding muscles that provide support for your knee joint. Low-impact and strengthening exercises can reduce your symptoms. They can also improve the overall quality of your knee.
• Don’t forget about RICE — Rest, ice, compression and elevation are four steps in treating knee joint pain often recommended by health care professionals. Resting, icing, compressing and elevating your affected knee can help reduce any pain, swelling and inflammation that may be stemming from the causes of the crunching sound, especially a knee injury.
• Seek physical therapy — When you’re unsure about how to treat the crunching sound in your knee joint, a physical therapist can give you some guidance. They can carry out an evaluation and assessment of your knee to figure out the likely cause of the crunching sound. Then, they can design a personalized treatment plan that can help address the sound and the root issue behind it. 

Excel Rehab & Sports can help address the crunching sound from the knee joint

A crunching sound from your knee joint might have you immediately jumping to the worst possible conclusions. Fortunately, most conditions or injuries that cause the sound can be properly treated through physical therapy.

At Excel Rehab & Sports, we can evaluate and treat crepitus in your knee joint. We’ll also help you manage any co-occurring knee pain and improve the knee’s overall function.

Call us or request an appointment today to get rid of the crunching sound in your knee.