Richard Haynes PTA/CPT - 8/1/2009

Question
Hi Richard.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.
I'm an 18 year old woman who is suffering from cracking and popping in my knees,(esp my left) wrists and ankles. I have to crack my bones to find some sense of relief. Although the pain is not severe it does cause me discomfort as i keep having to crack my knee wrist etc. I have gone for numerous physio sessions on my left knee but didn't find them very helpful. The physio said the cause of my pain was because of weakness in my vmo muscle. I played sport intensively up to two years ago and it is when i stopped playing that i noticed the cracking and discomort commenced. Can you offer me advice on what you think is causing this? Do you think i might possibly need keyhole surgery or another form of knee surgery in the near future?

Answer
Hi Caroline,

The cracking and popping you hear would more then likely be what we call crepitus or frayed material in the joints themselves that break loose over time and, crack and pop when you move the joint.

You see it and hear it most often in the weightbrearing joints like the knees for instance where it is very common.
Though you are young to have the amount you indicate  it is possible however due to your sports background.

Unless there is pain when you walk in the knee in the area or muscles surrounding the joints begin to loose their strength or atrophy becoming smaller in size then you may require a surgery down the road.

Most people will not undergo surgery for the noise or popping again only if the joint where ever it is located becomes so painful that it becomes unbearable.

Regarding the keyhole surgery maybe they feel you have a patella tracking problem on your knee?
The vmo assists in keeping your kneecap aligned properly and the therapist may have seen or was treating you for that.
Surgery in the future may be a possibility if the knee pain continues to progress.

I would keep an eye on it anthen get a recommndation from a couple of orthopedic surgeons in your area.

Sincerely
Richard Haynes
Punta Gorda, Florida. USA
http://www.richardhaynes.com
http://www.rhaynes.blogspot.com