Joe A Shaw PA-C - 2/13/2008

Question
first of all, thanks for any help.

I recently have started having a weird clicking sensation in the back, inside of my right knee.

The clicking is painless, although uncomfortable and disturbing.  It seems to happen after I've been sitting and I go to stand up and begin walking.  When I straighten my leg, it makes that clicking sensation.  It makes no actual noise, but a clicking/or popping is the only way I can describe the feeling.

Have you heard of anything similar?  I run/weigh lift regularly and have trouble belive it is not somehow related.  ..although like I said, it doesn't hurt?  maybe need to stretch better?  

Also having dull aching pain which comes and goes above the knee in my leg?  Additionally, I have high foot arches which have caused me problems in the past, although this seems different.

I realize this is a pretty broad question, but any info is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again

-Ben

Answer
Ben,
You could be describing crepitus, which pts have a grinding,clicking,crackling feeling and or sound. There is a cond called chondromalacia patellar..basically where the backside of your knee cap is rubbing against the leg bone joint..this only occurs with bending or straightening the knee..it is often painless. Not a whole lot to do for this (ie cortisone injs and surgery are not indicated)

The other thing it could be is a meniscus tear...the cartilage portion of your knee...this IS mostly described as a clicking sensation, most of the time with pain/discomfort but certainly not always. Some will have a buckling or giving away sensation in that knee. Some will also describe that after sitting in a fixed position and getting up they will have a catch or a click. This will require surgery.
If you are active you may not have known when this occurred and it could be something degenerative and over time it has progressed.