crunchy knees

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jaycee76
jaycee76 Posts: 325 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Could anyone tell me if there is anything I can do to help relieve having 'crunchy knees'.
When I exercise (anytype that involves any movement of the legs) it makes my knees make crunchy and clicking noises. It does not hurt much, but I think that is because I try to not push them because then they do hurt.
Would a supplement help maybe?

Thanks for any advice x

Replies

  • sweetheart03622
    sweetheart03622 Posts: 928 Member
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    bump
  • GURLEY_GIRL3
    GURLEY_GIRL3 Posts: 359 Member
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    My left knee does when I exericise alot...I am wondering the same thing!
  • Kaleigh11
    Kaleigh11 Posts: 1 Member
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    I have crunchy knees too....i would love to see if anyone knows how to help this.
  • luv2ash
    luv2ash Posts: 1,903 Member
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    This is called chondromalacia patella -- in short it is a osteoarthritis of the knee---there is really nothing you can do about it. If carry around extra weight (as I did ) it will catch up with you and cause pain----I have had Synvisc injections, steroid injections, and physical therapy to no avail. But now that I have taken off 80 pounds, I am feeling less and less pain, but still crunchy---I am just so happy the pain is relieved.
  • DrBorkBork
    DrBorkBork Posts: 4,099 Member
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    It means your ligaments & stuff are weak. You need to make them stronger, slowly, but surely. I've had this problem most of my life. Now that I'm a lot more active, I don't have it as often. A doctor once explained it to me as the parts holding my knee cap to my leg pulling like rubber bands and smacking against the bone. That's the clacking noise you hear.
  • jenniferlecaptain
    jenniferlecaptain Posts: 10
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    Not too long ago, a physical therapist told my husband that's totally normal and there isn't anything you can do about it.
  • innerfashionista
    innerfashionista Posts: 451 Member
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    It's not your knee grinding is it? Have you had soft tissue damage or anything like that in your knee? My knee does that sometimes, but it's swollen and painful. Maybe ice it after exercising, or wear a wrap or a brace.
  • coog81855
    coog81855 Posts: 35
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    I have been taking glucosamine chondroitin and it has really helped my knees. It's in the vitamin section and it surely wouldnt hurt to try! :wink: It's working for me! Now if only I could fine something to help my heel spur.........
  • Bubs05
    Bubs05 Posts: 182 Member
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    There could be many reasons for the "crunching" but a lot of times it is due to the wearing away of cartilage in your joints.
    You may want to try glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM supplements. Glucosamine helps improve the condition of cartilage, chondroitin helps defend against enzymes that can break cartilage down and MSM is an herbal supplement that acts as an anti-inflammatory. It may take 6 or so weeks to feel the full effects but it may help.
    I have also heard of (but never tried) a glucosamine topical ointment, maybe you want to check that out.
    Good luck!
  • Enigmatica
    Enigmatica Posts: 879 Member
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    If I recall correctly, "crunchy" knees may be due to problems with the cartilage, and you may want to have a joint specialist check it out to make sure you don't make matters worse. If there are mechanical problems in the joint structure, supplements are less likely to be helpful. But here are some possibilities:

    http://www.realage.com/tips/help-knees-feel-better-with-this-fruit?click=main_sr

    http://www.realage.com/tips/everything-green-is-golden-for-knees?click=main_sr

    http://www.realage.com/tips/knee-pain-relief-green-tea-benefits?click=main_sr
  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
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    This is called chondromalacia patella -- in short it is a osteoarthritis of the knee---there is really nothing you can do about it. If carry around extra weight (as I did ) it will catch up with you and cause pain----I have had Synvisc injections, steroid injections, and physical therapy to no avail. But now that I have taken off 80 pounds, I am feeling less and less pain, but still crunchy---I am just so happy the pain is relieved.

    Chondromalacia, or femoropatellar syndrome, is not the same as osteoarthritis. It is caused by the patella rubbing against the leg bones, primarily the bottom of the femur. It happens when the muscles, tendons and ligaments aren't evenly strengthened. One side is stronger and tighter than the other side so it pulls the patella and makes it grind.

    I had it for a while when I was a dancer. I had it diagnosed and treated by two different doctors. The first recommended Aleve, the second sent me to physical therapy. The physical therapy worked and I haven't had grinding or pain in years. Taking glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM can help, but anti-inflammatory drugs shouldn't be used on a daily basis.


    But, that's not necessarily what's happening with your knees. I would have a doctor check you out because there are a number of different things that could be wrong with your knees.
  • jaycee76
    jaycee76 Posts: 325 Member
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    Thanks everyone for your answers! Will mention to the Dr next time I am there and I will also buy some glucosamine. In the mean time I will turn the music up so I can't hear it lol!
  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
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    everytime i ecercise I sound like a bowl of rice crispes
  • scagneti
    scagneti Posts: 707 Member
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    Mine do that, even if I'm laying down in bed and I stretch my legs out. My husband calls it my "Barbie doll knees" because the sound is similar to bending a Barbie's leg. There's no pain and it's been as long as I can remember, so I haven't done anything about it.
  • ollie88bug
    ollie88bug Posts: 9
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    I have the same problem and it gives me the creeps when I hear my knee crunching..
  • dhadams
    dhadams Posts: 1
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    My wife and I purchased a pair of Z-coil shoes that have helped us significantly. We paid a little over $200 a pair at a store called Jigglin George in Gatlinburg, TN. They have helped her with her heel spur and myself with my "crunchy knee."
  • Janine6644
    Janine6644 Posts: 1
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    It's actually called crepitus. The cartilage in the knee are starting to lose their smoothness and are rubbing against the bone. You need to strengthen your quadriceps to help take the load off the knees. If you start having pain it could mean osteoarthritis is starting to form. Fish oil helps lubricate the joints.

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