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You climb the stairs or bend down — click, pop, crack. Your knee makes a sound that you can’t ignore. Sometimes it’s painless, sometimes it comes with discomfort. Naturally, you may be wondering: Is knee clicking normal? Do I need treatment? Will it get worse?
The good news: in most cases, knee clicking is not a sign of something serious. But if it’s frequent, painful, or interfering with your daily life, it may point to an underlying condition that needs attention.
Why Your Knee Might Be Clicking
Your knee is a complex hinge joint, held together by cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. When something is slightly off in this system, you may hear or feel clicking. Common causes include:
- Gas bubbles in the joint fluid – harmless “popping” from tiny air bubbles bursting
- Tight tendons or ligaments – snapping as they move over bony structures
- Meniscus tears – damaged cartilage that catches when you move
- Cartilage wear (early osteoarthritis) – rough joint surfaces creating grinding sounds
- Knee cap misalignment (patellofemoral syndrome) – causing clicking or grinding during bending
Occasional painless clicking is usually harmless. But if clicking comes with swelling, pain, or weakness, it’s time to check it out.
3 Steps to Manage Knee Clicking
Step 1: Start Simple at Home
If your clicking is mild and painless:
- Avoid repetitive activities that worsen the sound
- Stretch your thigh and calf muscles to reduce tendon tightness
- Strengthen surrounding muscles with gentle exercises
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on the joint
These steps often ease unnecessary strain and keep your knees moving smoothly.
Step 2: Get Professional Guidance
If clicking persists or is accompanied by pain, physiotherapy can help. A trained therapist will:
- Teach exercises that stabilise the knee joint
- Improve flexibility to reduce snapping
- Correct movement patterns that trigger knee noises
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) approaches such as tuina massage or acupuncture may also support recovery by improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and relaxing tense muscles.
Step 3: Consider Targeted Injections
When conservative care isn’t enough, medical treatment may be required. At DR+ Medical & Paincare, we use Painostic® methodology to do a detailed assessment that pinpoints the root cause of your knee symptoms.
Based on your diagnosis, we may recommend Coreflex® injections or other image-guided therapies. These minimally invasive treatments can:
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve lubrication inside the knee
- Relieve pain and stiffness
- Delay or even prevent the need for surgery
Most procedures take less than 30 minutes and allow you to walk out the same day.
The Bottom Line
Knee clicking is common and often harmless. But if it’s frequent, painful, or affecting your daily life, don’t ignore it. Early treatment helps protect your joints, reduce discomfort, and keep you active for years to come.
If your knee clicking is holding you back, book an appointment with our team today and explore your options for safe, effective, non-surgical relief.
👉 Learn More About Knee Pain
Read the full clinical guide →
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