Knee click

Swoodowrth

 Lately, when I walk down stairs my outside left knee clicks.  That's seems to be the only way to describe unless you would say it feels like a catch.  No pain, no swelling just a distinct noiseless click when walking down.  Thoughts???

 

 

jhbinsc

IF it doesn't hurt you are probably ok according to my DPT wife. Hers click too and have for years but no bad outcome yet...

jamison.gaddy

If you gently put your hand on the outside of your "click" can you feel it click or bounce?

richmiani

fwiw, I've had that for about 6 years now, post ACL reconstruction surgery. I think the doc (or maybe the PT) told me that it was the ligament snapping back into place, and was "normal". In any case, it hasnt bothered me at all, or stopped me from doing anything, just a little unnerving at first.

jamison.gaddy

I asked if you could possibly feel it or a palpable click on the outside of your knee because often times it is specific to IT Band Syndrome. Otherwise; you likely are just experiencing some patellafemoral syndrome (PFPS). It you have no previous knee injuries or don't feel like you knee is "giving out" (instability) and remains painless then you're find.

Does your knee cap appear tilted more than the other? Do you have any noticable assymetry of your thing muscles? Often times the large "teardrop" muscle (VMO)becomes weak after overuse or an injury resulting in the outside thigh muscle has to "pick-up the slack" for the medial weakness. This causes your knee cap to tilt or be slightly pulled to the outside resulting in a click as it centers itself.

Swoodowrth

Oh yeah....I can feel it when I put my fingers on the outside left of the knee.  Very significant.  But no pain really and it is mostly going down stairs although trail running seemed to cause it too on Sunday.  Thanks for all the info!!! Very helpful and reassuring!! 

rtagher

Agree with Jamison above. This sounds like a tight IT band. I would do some mild stretching and keep and eye on it. If it starts to hurt you could do more aggressive stretching, ice after activity and consider decreasing activities.

ejshimon

My left hip clicks in much the same way. No pain, but clicks with nearly every step I take. It's been like that for at least a couple of years. Can't believe it's not painful yet. A tight IT band may be my culprit too? I try to use the 'running stick' to roll it out after every run/bike, but that doesn't seem to be doing much to change the clicking.

Carl

I suffer from itb yearly and have become my own expert. Mine starts by getting tight in my upper hip/buttocks/ or if you will the greater trochanter region. Then I start getting tightness down the lateral aspect of my leg often balls that when rolling its painful, lastly it starts snapping over my knee and I get the most awful pain in the lateral aspect of my knee. Once I have it to this point I have to lay low for 2-3 weeks, get ultrasound and often be put on prednisone;(.

Therefore, I roll, band, stretch, and tennis ball almost daily. I also do Yoga 2x a week. I am bad about strengthening exercises and I believe my under lying prob is a week gluteas media and minor muscles along with my vmo's. I lifted heavy and hard all summer and OS and had not one issue. Now I stopped lifting legs cause the IM plan takes up so much time guess who's back-----ITB

Swoodowrth

 Good recommendation on strength training.  I need to get back to it...9 more weeks on the OS....I could probably put a pretty big dent in the effort.  I'll do that!!!! I've been doing squats while brushing my teeth..... 

 

Thanks for all the feedback.  This is very helpful.  Interestingly enough I shared it with my boss today because she walked into my cube and said that in the past five minutes her knee was having the same issue but with pain.  I mentioned that my understanding is that without pain, no huge deal, just watch it but with pain to maybe have it looked at.  She was going to go to doctor next week.  Thanks all!!! You rock!!!

drwhiddon

Clicks that are painless are okay. Try the elliptical in reverse mode. Helps coordinate the hamstrings and quads. Work on hamstring stretching in addition to "closed cahin" quad strengthening (i.e. foot in contact with the ground- the opposite of leg extensions). May prevent it from becoming painful.