Knee popping - Can I keep going?

CaitMcKenzie13
CaitMcKenzie13 Posts: 8 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Ok, let me start by saying that I am just starting to get back into an exercise routine, so I'm looking for some advice from those of you with more experience. I went to Zumba the other night, and now my knee has been popping A LOT. It doesn't hurt, but it makes a sound every time I go up/down stairs, do squats or lunges, or ride the stationary bike (basically any significant bend). It's never made a popping noise like this before, even when I was much more active a few years ago. My instinct is to keep going if it doesn't hurt, but I don't want to cause any damage that would prevent me from exercising in the future. Should I stop or is it safe to exercise?

Replies

  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    My knees both popped a lot after I had surgery. They never had before. My surgeon said it was not important; that they aren't even sure what causes the popping.
    As long as there is no pain, of course.
  • Amandawith3kids
    Amandawith3kids Posts: 367 Member
    Ok, let me start by saying that I am just starting to get back into an exercise routine, so I'm looking for some advice from those of you with more experience. I went to Zumba the other night, and now my knee has been popping A LOT. It doesn't hurt, but it makes a sound every time I go up/down stairs, do squats or lunges, or ride the stationary bike (basically any significant bend). It's never made a popping noise like this before, even when I was much more active a few years ago. My instinct is to keep going if it doesn't hurt, but I don't want to cause any damage that would prevent me from exercising in the future. Should I stop or is it safe to exercise?

    the popping can be a symptom of something. for me its a patella tracking disorder, but i popped for years with no pain. now it grinds and creaks (yes i can hear it) and still pops, and sometimes going up and down stairs it will just about give way underneath me. i had to get a laptop so i wasnt going up and down the stairs to use the computer. if you EVER have pain, go to the dr. you might want to consider modifying your exercises to not to deep knee bends. mine hurt if they are bent from sitting too long. it SUCKS.
  • DrWhoodles
    DrWhoodles Posts: 145 Member
    Mine pop some from time to time but it's never painful and in fact sometimes it's a relief. I do have some mild osteoarthritis in my knees and I have had surgery on one. Mostly the popping is from air/gas trapped in the joint that get relieved. If you notice any pain or reduction in range of motion then for sure go see a doctor.

    I also have some kind of minor patellar-femoral thing going on so my kneecap doesn't always track right and that can cause a little popping as the joint slight goes in and out of alignment but again that doesn't usually hurt. It does hurt over time due to inflammation so I have to get steroid injects to keep it under control.
  • Amandawith3kids
    Amandawith3kids Posts: 367 Member


    I also have some kind of minor patellar-femoral thing going on so my kneecap doesn't always track right and that can cause a little popping as the joint slight goes in and out of alignment but again that doesn't usually hurt. It does hurt over time due to inflammation so I have to get steroid injects to keep it under control.

    thats exactly what mine is. i cant get shots though due to breastfeeding. do the shots really help. i need some pain relief, and i cant take ibuprofen.
  • FatOldManMN
    FatOldManMN Posts: 1,116 Member
    Ok, let me start by saying that I am just starting to get back into an exercise routine, so I'm looking for some advice from those of you with more experience. I went to Zumba the other night, and now my knee has been popping A LOT. It doesn't hurt, but it makes a sound every time I go up/down stairs, do squats or lunges, or ride the stationary bike (basically any significant bend). It's never made a popping noise like this before, even when I was much more active a few years ago. My instinct is to keep going if it doesn't hurt, but I don't want to cause any damage that would prevent me from exercising in the future. Should I stop or is it safe to exercise?

    You might want to think about mentioning that to your doctor.
  • TesaMiller
    TesaMiller Posts: 2
    I have the same problem in my ankles and knees. I was very concerned too, so I asked my physical therapist about it, she said you should be fine unless there is pain following the pop.
  • JG762
    JG762 Posts: 571 Member
    I've had 4 or 5 surgeries on my left knee, yes I've lost count!
    My first injury was when I was 16 and my medial meniscus failed and I fell and split my patella (kneecap) in 2 pieces.
    The other serious surgery was something called an "Elmslie trillat" (google that one) that I had to have after I was run over by a piece of construction equipment and it dislocated my knee twice, and yes it hurts as bad as you might imagine.

    I tell you this not to make you grimace in pain but to give a little background in my unfortunate experiences and possible knowledge that I've gained the hard way.
    If you're having popping issues it could be a number of things some serious but most likely not. At the very least you should research orthopedic knee surgeons in your area and make an appointment to see him. My surgeon has been the team surgeon for NBA & NFL teams, he's been a surgeon for various Olympic teams and is still a consulting physician for the NFL. I got lucky and found him (or he found me) and I honestly believe that if I hadn't had him I might not be walking right now.
    You only have 1 right and 1 left knee and for God's sake take care of them, damaging my knee at 16 totally changed the direction of my life and kept me from doing things that I dreamed about.
    I wish you the best of luck.
  • Territravel
    Territravel Posts: 165 Member
    bump
  • JG762
    JG762 Posts: 571 Member


    I also have some kind of minor patellar-femoral thing going on so my kneecap doesn't always track right and that can cause a little popping as the joint slight goes in and out of alignment but again that doesn't usually hurt. It does hurt over time due to inflammation so I have to get steroid injects to keep it under control.

    thats exactly what mine is. i cant get shots though due to breastfeeding. do the shots really help. i need some pain relief, and i cant take ibuprofen.

    Steroid injections are a gift from God! They are amazing and to be completely honest they really don't hurt that much at all, I can promise you that the idea of it and the anxiety is way way worse than the real shot. On Monday I'm having my final injection of "OrthoVisk" (sp) into my knee, it's a lubricant that is injected as 2 parts (if I remember correctly) and it's 1 shot a week for 3 weeks and I can promise you that it helps magnitudes more than it hurts. The OrthoVisk needle is very small and seriously is no bid deal, the steroid injection is the same, if you need one by all means have it done.
    Feel free to msg me if you want details etc...
  • RunMyOregonBunsOff
    RunMyOregonBunsOff Posts: 862 Member
    I have always been very poppy but as long as if isn't hurting, it isn't a problem for me....embarrassing at times but that's about it. Good luck with you fitness!
  • Cmejstrik
    Cmejstrik Posts: 25 Member
    My left knee popped alot when I started running often (weirdly never when I was actually running). It stopped. I started taking glucosamine and chondroitin, don't know if that helped, but I wouldn't stress it too much. Mine stopped as I got in better shape. If it hurts - stop. And see a doc.
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    Ok, let me start by saying that I am just starting to get back into an exercise routine, so I'm looking for some advice from those of you with more experience. I went to Zumba the other night, and now my knee has been popping A LOT. It doesn't hurt, but it makes a sound every time I go up/down stairs, do squats or lunges, or ride the stationary bike (basically any significant bend). It's never made a popping noise like this before, even when I was much more active a few years ago. My instinct is to keep going if it doesn't hurt, but I don't want to cause any damage that would prevent me from exercising in the future. Should I stop or is it safe to exercise?


    just putting it out there…wouldn't this question be better answered by a health care professional instead of people on the internet?
  • DrWhoodles
    DrWhoodles Posts: 145 Member


    I also have some kind of minor patellar-femoral thing going on so my kneecap doesn't always track right and that can cause a little popping as the joint slight goes in and out of alignment but again that doesn't usually hurt. It does hurt over time due to inflammation so I have to get steroid injects to keep it under control.

    thats exactly what mine is. i cant get shots though due to breastfeeding. do the shots really help. i need some pain relief, and i cant take ibuprofen.

    I also can't take ibuprofen and the shots help me a lot. I also get one in my shoulder. My PCP doctor actually trained on how to do them so I just go see him and they hardly even hurt because he uses numbing agents first. It's not a fun activity but it's fairly quick and they can last me a year or so depending.
  • DrWhoodles
    DrWhoodles Posts: 145 Member
    I have always been very poppy but as long as if isn't hurting, it isn't a problem for me....embarrassing at times but that's about it. Good luck with you fitness!

    I had mine pop once while doing physical therapy and my therapist was so worried at first but I just said that's how I am, I making popping noises!
  • xombiebite
    xombiebite Posts: 276 Member
    my hips pop and lock a lot i asked my trainer if its an issue she said if it doesn't hurt its not an issue
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 8,493 Member
    Zumba can be hard on the knees. Make sure your shoes aren't too "grabby." You might try dance shoes or get some shoe slips.
  • JG762
    JG762 Posts: 571 Member
    my hips pop and lock a lot i asked my trainer if its an issue she said if it doesn't hurt its not an issue

    If you have a joint that "locks" and your trainer isn't concerned you really need a new trainer.

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