Should I run if my knees pop/crack

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herillusion
herillusion Posts: 62 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
My knees have been popping and making cracking noises for about 5 year now. I want to run but it hurts and didn't know if I was doing something wrong or if I am just being a wuss about it (to be completely honest). If I need to build up muscle in my knees or something first I want to do that.

Help!

Edited to add: My doc said just to take it easy and to do some strength training without weights but I don't have any exercise equipement to build it up

Replies

  • soknurdy
    soknurdy Posts: 74 Member
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    I would see a doctor. Sounds like an issue with your joints.
  • Fairysoul
    Fairysoul Posts: 1,361 Member
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    mine always have, i still run i am fine and so is my mom!
  • statickey
    statickey Posts: 309 Member
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    mine are the same way! My knee's are sore from running but they aren't sharp pains. If you have sharp pain you should see a doctor.
  • pa_jorg
    pa_jorg Posts: 4,404 Member
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    I have the same problem.
  • deadstarsunburn
    deadstarsunburn Posts: 1,337 Member
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    Mine do and so does my hip lol it's annoying, but yeah you should see a doctor.
  • delherts
    delherts Posts: 7
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    cracking and poppin is usually the air trapped in your knee joints. Mine do it when i go up and down stairs..doesnt effect my running at all.
  • jackieb79
    jackieb79 Posts: 58
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    Mine pops/cracks. I wear a knee brace for physical activity, and while it doesn't stop the popping, it gives my knee much more support and keeps everything aligned properly. If I don't wear it, I get way more pain after exercise, and my knee has given out on me before.
  • herillusion
    herillusion Posts: 62 Member
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    I would see a doctor. Sounds like an issue with your joints.

    Doc just told me to build them up by joining a gym and doing the strength training without weights to build up muscles. I don't have a membership/time to get to a gym and find a baby sitter though.
  • Pieces_of_Me3
    Pieces_of_Me3 Posts: 19 Member
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    My knees have cracked for a long time now and I still run almost every day BUT it doesn't hurt when I run. If your knees are hurting you, I would NOT recommend doing any exercise that makes them hurt...stick to what doesn't hurt. Seeing a doctor or physiotherapist wouldn't hurt either :)
  • miaka51
    miaka51 Posts: 10
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    That sound is called crepitus and it doesn't necessarily mean you have something wrong, but if there is pain associated, you may not want to do anything without the okay of a doctor or joint specialist. You need to let him or her know that there is specific pain associated with certain activities and then let him or her make that call for you. You can do joint damage if there is a problem, and it is not worth it. In the mean time, try walking or swimming (lower impact) or do workouts with cans of tomato sauce or milk jugs filled with water or dirt. They can be a great cheap way to strength train! Also, resistance bands are great and are WAY cheaper than weights but do a better job of training weak muscles. Good luck!
  • KeithLB
    KeithLB Posts: 6
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    A doctor-certified way to fix this problem is to attach ankle weights and, while sitting on a tall stool, slowly raise and lower your feet. The knee moves along a groove. The popping is due to improper alignment of the knee as it moves up and down.
  • sarahsmart88
    sarahsmart88 Posts: 84
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    I have the same problem. I started taking glucosomine and collagen, though, and that helps. From what I've read online, it can be anything from just an annoyance to a serious problem. Probably should go to a doctor to get it checked, though I should take my own advice with that....
  • meli_medina
    meli_medina Posts: 594 Member
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    I have the same problem. I started taking glucosomine and collagen, though, and that helps. From what I've read online, it can be anything from just an annoyance to a serious problem. Probably should go to a doctor to get it checked, though I should take my own advice with that....

    This is what I would recommend, Millisa. The Glucosomine works really great and is inexpensive at Sawall's. Also, Meijer carries a Joint Complex supplement, which is a little more expensive, but if you shop the b1g1 sale, you basically get 2 for 1/2 price. I don't usually buy supplements from Meijer but a friend of mine uses their joint complex for the same reason and has noticed a lot of improvement. :)

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