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Knee popping

About 2 weeks ago I noticed that my right knee started to "pop" when I went up the stairs. It only happens when I go up. No pain or swelling. ROM is intact. No problems running. My knees have been achy after riding my bike on the trainer the last couple times.

It feels like the patella is popping. Is this something to ignore or go see my P.T for before it derails my OS? I've been having achilles problems that are getting better slowly. Thank you Satish. Feeling much better.

Comments

  • You're welcome! Glad that you solved that problem. 

    It is concerning your knee are sore after the bike.  Any joint pain is generally bad and to be avoided.  It may be that something is getting inflamed and that is why you are getting the popping.   If you just started the OS the workload is only going up from here so you need to get this cleared up. 

    Has your training increased a lot recently? - probably yes if you have just started the OS.  May need a couple of days away from the cycling to let things settle down- and it might be a good idea to ask the coaches in the micro thread.  Also address any bike fit issues- i.e. cleat placement, is your seat too high or low?  

  • @ Satish- I noticed it before the OS started. My knees aren't sore. It's a feeling of being stiff and full. There is no pain. It's just weird. I am going to go see my chiro and ask him. He's sports medicine too. 

    I think i sit different on the trainer than out on the road. I have noticed that my knees are popping out when I get tired. I don't usually do that out on the road. Was thinking of doing another bike fit soon. 

    Thank you for fast reply.

  • I'm a surgeon, but not an orthopaedic surgeon.  My knees have "popped" for 20+ years.  In med school, I asked an orthopod on faculty whether this was something to be worried about, etc.  He told me it was called "retropatellar crepitance".  He said as long as it was just noise, and no pain/swelling/etc., that it was harmless.  If I bend either one beyond 90degrees, they will pop every single time I extend them.  The popping is a series of smaller pops in a quick row.  The popping is louder if I have any "load" on my knees (louder if I stand from squatting than if I just extend them while laying supine).  

    I would think, though, that if there is any pain associated with it (or swelling, etc.), then that is a different dealio.  I know we have some orthopods in the haus though....hopefully someone will chime in who is an expert in this field.  You might PM Michael Johnson (Kansas)....he's an orthopod I think.

    JL

  • I am an Orthopedic Sports Medicine doc and I agree completely with Jeff. Many folks will have some popping (my knee makes a rifle shot noise when I put my foot on the counter to dry off after a shower) but the significance depends on whether it is painful or limiting. The finding itself may not be anything to worry about if it does not cause pain or limitation but make sure your bike fit is good because you can certainly get some patello-femoral issues if you overdo it with the incorrect setup. If your knee swells or becomes painful or weak, get it checked.
  • Thank you everyone. I really appreciate the information. No pain. No limits.

    Cuz Ralph- Nice to hear from you. Good job on B2B. 

  • Your knees should not be in pain after riding. I had a similar issues and ignored it - bad idea. My patella was not tracking correctly and resulted in popping when on the bike. Didn't hurt while running and initially didn't hurt while riding. I ignored it and eventually I got sidelined for the entire season. Long story short, my IT band was super tight and was causing my knee to do some goofy things. Some PT and many knee massages to get rid of the scar tissue later, I'm back.

    When you ride your bike, does your knee cap track correctly or is it "rubbing" on something causing the pop. if it is rubbing something, put a lot of pressure on your knee just above the knee cap and see what happens. To this day, I occasionally have to do that until my old bones warms up. Like most of us, my mind says I'm in my 20's but my body often says otherwise

    Good luck
  • @ Chris- no popping on the bike. Just when I go up stairs. Weird. No trouble on the bike. I see my chiro. next week. The massage I got yesterday seems to have helped. Not as much popping today. So we'll see. I haven't fallen, tripped or crashed. So who knows. Thank you for your concern. 

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