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Read Today's Paper Do you hear your knee crackling often? Here's what it meansSECTIONSDo you hear your knee crackling often? Here's what it meansLast Updated: Aug 01, 2017, 12:03:00 PM ISTRate StoryFollow usShareFont SizeAbcSmallAbcMediumAbcLargeSavePrintCommentSynopsis
Medically termed as crepitus, the condition is characterised by peculiar symptoms which include pain while walking or bending the knee.
By Invite: Dr Anil Arora Most of us experience an occasional 'pop', 'click' or crackle of the joints or knees during our everyday activities. A recent study suggests that people who experience knee crackle quite often are vulnerable to arthritis. Medically termed as crepitus, the condition is characterised by peculiar symptoms which include pain while walking or bending the knee, and there can be occasional swelling too. In a study published in the journal Arthritis Care & Research, it was found that people who 'often' or 'always' had noisy knees were nearly three times more likely to develop knee arthritis symptoms compared to those who never had crepitus. WHAT IS CREPITUS? Knee crackle is a clinical symbol in medicine that is described by a peculiar crackling, crinkly or grating feeling or sound under the skin, around the lungs or in the joints. Crepitus in soft tissues usually occurs because of the gas, most frequently air, that has entered and penetrated into a place where it should not usually be (for instance, in the soft tissues underneath the skin). Crepitus in a joint can specify cartilage wear in the joint area. Crepitus, occasionally known as crepitation, describes any crushing, screeching, cracking, grating, crunching or popping that can be sensed while moving a joint. People can face crepitus at any age but it turns out to be more frequent when the individual gets older. Crepitus is at times also used to define other circumstances, such as lungs crackling from respiratory illnesses and after fractures. In other words, crepitus is a sound that comes from two surfaces rubbing together, but at times, it's the sound of trapped air. But possibly there are multiple reasons behind the variety of sounds that come from the joint. ORIGIN The knee functions as a huge axis. It connects the thighbone, which is known as the femur, to the lower leg, the long bone which is known as the tibia. A bone in the lower leg (fibula) is also connected to the joint. The kneecap (patella) is the small, convex bone that is located at the front of the knee to shield the joint. Two thick pads of cartilage known as menisci cushion, the tibia, and fibia reduce roughness from where they meet. A fluid filled capsule in the joint called synovium encompasses and greases the joint. Four ligaments— tough, flexible bands that stretch through the uneven surface of the joint—join the bones. HOW DOES IT HAPPEN? The gas can build up in the areas adjoining the joints, creating small bubbles in the synovial fluid. When you curve, bend or twist your knee, several of the bubbles gust and muscles might snap or pop. This is usual and occurs to everybody from time to time. On the other hand, arthritis damages the cartilage and bone. As the injured knee joint bends, moves or twists, it may snap and crunch. Crepitus may also be an outcome of an injury. WHEN TO PRESS THE PANIC BUTTON Crepitus in the knee is very common and typically trouble-free. There's no need to worry. But the pain that escorts the snapping and crunching sounds could indicate an upcoming problem. Knee crepitus is one of the usual signs of osteoarthritis (OA). It also can be one of the indications of rheumatoid or infectious arthritis and may convey several diverse sorts of knee injuries. Other symptoms that may indicate warning signs are: * Aching during walking or twisting the knee * Knee rigidity that develops with gentle stretching or workout * Painful or tender knees, most normally on the inside of the knee, which is also known as the medial knee. * Irregular yet often inflammation in the knee TREATMENT Most people experience knee crunch or snap when kneeling on the floor or with continuous flexion and knee extension. If crepitus is trouble-free or not painful, then there is no need to worry. If there are other signs, go for a diagnosis from a suitable healthcare professional. A healthcare professional will examine the patient and determine if the knee crepitus and other signs are caused by arthritis or other illnesses. Since arthritis is a serious issue that may result in severe knee pain that restricts you from even standing or walking, you may need to go for a surgery. (The writer is the head of the Department of Orthopaedics, Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi)Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! Read More News oncrepitusarthritisKnee painorthopaedicsMax Super Speciality hospitalDr Anil Aroraarthritis care & research
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