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Crepitus in knee (snapping / popping)

redondo100redondo100 Posts: 44
in Training, fitness and health
I'm 46 now and have been off the bike for a few years due to back issues. I have managed to run quite a bit and in the last 6 months, I've noticed an uncomfortable (but not painful) popping in the left inner knee. A google search suggests 'crepitus' and a possible early sign of arthritis.

Of course, I should see a specialist but I wondered if anyone had suffered the same after a lengthy period off the bike. I don't know whether cycling would help or worsen the condition?
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  • rafletcherrafletcher Posts: 1,235
    More likely just to be a result of the sudden increase in exercise than incipient arthritis. Run less, don’t run up hills, RICE the joint after exercise. You’ll be fine cycling as long as you spin rather than grind.
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 11,644
    You answered your own question dude.

    Go and see a doctor.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • First.AspectFirst.Aspect Posts: 13,724
    Doesn't sound like crepitus. That is an inflamed tendon, and when you have it, movement is painful and it literally feels like the tendon is juddering through something tightly around it... because that's what it is. Popping and clicking sounds more like ligaments to me.
  • elbowlohelbowloh Posts: 7,078
    First.Aspect said:

    Doesn't sound like crepitus. That is an inflamed tendon, and when you have it, movement is painful and it literally feels like the tendon is juddering through something tightly around it... because that's what it is. Popping and clicking sounds more like ligaments to me.

    That's what feel sometimes. Wife says I have arthritis though.
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • redondo100redondo100 Posts: 44
    Crepitus is defined as the popping and crackling sound/sensation - it's not associated with pain in my case. Appreciate all the advice - of course, will seek prof. advice as well. Cheers
  • First.AspectFirst.Aspect Posts: 13,724
    Okay, right it is a generic term for all sorts of things.

    You aren't going to be able to WebMD this one I'm afraid. Could be soft tissue, cartilage, just normal cavitation (c.f. cracking of knuckles), tendinitis, arthritis.
  • DeVlaeminckDeVlaeminck Posts: 8,687
    It could be a patella tracking issue possibly caused by tightness or imbalance in your quads. Try some regular stretching of the quads and Google a couple of vastus lateralis exercises and do them regularly.

    I'd also ease back on the running a bit until the odd feeling clears.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • redondo100redondo100 Posts: 44
    Not looking to 'WebMD' it, I was looking for others to share experiences.
  • redondo100redondo100 Posts: 44
    DeVlaeminck said:

    It could be a patella tracking issue possibly caused by tightness or imbalance in your quads. Try some regular stretching of the quads and Google a couple of vastus lateralis exercises and do them regularly.

    I'd also ease back on the running a bit until the odd feeling clears.

    Thanks, that's useful to know. Will deffo ease running until diagnosed.
  • First.AspectFirst.Aspect Posts: 13,724
    redondo100 said:

    Not looking to 'WebMD' it, I was looking for others to share experiences.

    Experiences of what, though, that's the whole point.
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 11,644
    Go and see your doctor.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • redondo100redondo100 Posts: 44
    First.Aspect said:

    redondo100 said:

    Not looking to 'WebMD' it, I was looking for others to share experiences.

    Experiences of what, though, that's the whole point.
    Take a wild guess. Bye.
  • First.AspectFirst.Aspect Posts: 13,724
    redondo100 said:

    First.Aspect said:

    redondo100 said:

    Not looking to 'WebMD' it, I was looking for others to share experiences.

    Experiences of what, though, that's the whole point.
    Take a wild guess. Bye.
    Face = palm
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 11,644
    Go and see your doctor
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • elbowlohelbowloh Posts: 7,078
    MattFalle said:

    Go and see your doctor

    I think Matt suggests you see a doctor.

    For what its worth, I agree.
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 11,644
    I like elbowloh's style. Listen to him. He speaks sense.

    Go and see your doctor.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • DeVlaeminckDeVlaeminck Posts: 8,687
    A more immediate plan would be see a decent sports physio/therapist. I doubt your GP will have much idea so they'll either refer you on or advise you to rest it and see. The advantage of a Dr is they can refer you for some kind of scan but whether they actually would I'm not sure. Most runners suffer injuries and niggles quite frequently - if they didn't I suspect many cyclists would be runners instead - much cheaper and simpler to slip on some trainers and run.

    I'm surprised your back issues affect cycling but not running.

    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 11,644
    GP will do referrals. Will also know patient history.

    Go and see your doctor.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • DeVlaeminckDeVlaeminck Posts: 8,687
    GP can do referrals it doesn't mean they'll send someone off for an MRI because they have an odd feeling in their knee when they run.

    Personally my first port of call would be a private sports physio
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • First.AspectFirst.Aspect Posts: 13,724
    MattFalle said:

    GP will do referrals. Will also know patient history.

    Go and see your doctor.

    Physio or any other non urgent GP referral at the moment will be an indefinitely long time in the future.

    Best option is likely a physio anyway, if you can find any private ones doing appointments.

    If not OP will need to back off a bit and monitor symptoms.
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 11,644
    he can monitor all he wants, he has no idea what he has, neither does anyone on here and he won't get anywhere.

    phone your doctor and see if you can get into see them or what they recommend.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • First.AspectFirst.Aspect Posts: 13,724
    MattFalle said:

    he can monitor all he wants, he has no idea what he has, neither does anyone on here and he won't get anywhere.

    phone your doctor and see if you can get into see them or what they recommend.

    Well yes. In fairness, most things heal themselves if you leave off for a while. And this is exactly what a GP will say. A referral for anything as minor and non-urgent as this via the NHS will either not happen at all or will be 6-12 months. Physio in some places was 6 months+ for some things even before the pandemic.

    That's not to say that it is pointless to speak to a GP - may put mind at rest. Just moderate your expectations.
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 11,644
    So far you have got nothing out of this thread apart from people waving their hands in the air saying random words.

    Go and see your doctor.

    This applies to all these threads that appear on here.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • redondo100redondo100 Posts: 44
    MattFalle said:

    So far you have got nothing out of this thread apart from people waving their hands in the air saying random words.

    Go and see your doctor.

    This applies to all these threads that appear on here.

    In which case, let's petition to get this sub-forum closed as surely the response to all threads is "Go and see a Doctor".

    If I am down the pub with some mates and mention I've had popping in the knee - is it reasonable to ask if anyone else has experienced similar and canvass some opinions? Or should I expect them to just repeat 'Go see a Doctor' ad-nauseam? If I was a drooling simpleton, I would probably self-diagnose via Google and reject proper medical advice. Except I'm not.
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 11,644
    edited February 2021
    Go and see your doctor. If it is medical, go and see your doctor.

    If it is bicycle related, or some such triviality, post on here.

    From reading your posts you wouldn't know a good case of crepitus if it came and beat you in the Farage with a banjo, so I suggest you go and see your doctor.

    Go and see your doctor.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • david37david37 Posts: 1,313
    Go and see your doctor, he may refer you to a physio who isnt a sports physio on the NHS. They will recommend complete rest. once your problem has become chronic and will require a long recovery they will start.

    Theres nothing wrong with the NHS or going to see your docotr. I would do that but id also find a proper sports physio, one that knows there stuff and works regularly with pro sports people, think rugby or football clubs etc.

    See what they think and go armed to the doctors.

    Rehabilitiation is always quicker if things dont rumble on too long.

  • elbowlohelbowloh Posts: 7,078
    redondo100 said:

    MattFalle said:

    So far you have got nothing out of this thread apart from people waving their hands in the air saying random words.

    Go and see your doctor.

    This applies to all these threads that appear on here.

    In which case, let's petition to get this sub-forum closed as surely the response to all threads is "Go and see a Doctor".

    If I am down the pub with some mates and mention I've had popping in the knee - is it reasonable to ask if anyone else has experienced similar and canvass some opinions? Or should I expect them to just repeat 'Go see a Doctor' ad-nauseam? If I was a drooling simpleton, I would probably self-diagnose via Google and reject proper medical advice. Except I'm not.
    Redondo, you asked for advice. People did say they had similar and some people said go and see a doctor! I'm not sure what else you were expecting? A home-made remedy?
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 11,644
    Go and see your doctor
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • redondo100redondo100 Posts: 44
    edited February 2021
    MattFalle said:

    Go and see your doctor. If it is medical, go and see your doctor.

    If it is bicycle related, or some such triviality, post on here.

    From reading your posts you wouldn't know a good case of crepitus if it came and beat you in the Farage with a banjo, so I suggest you go and see your doctor.

    Go and see your doctor.

    OK - nothing health-related on this forum then - best inform the moderators. You are assuming there is nothing to be gained from obtaining some anecdotal evidence before seeking medical advice (which I was always going to do because I am not a moron). And yes, I know perfectly well what Crepitus is - I suggest you don't.
  • elbowlohelbowloh Posts: 7,078
    redondo100 said:

    MattFalle said:

    Go and see your doctor. If it is medical, go and see your doctor.

    If it is bicycle related, or some such triviality, post on here.

    From reading your posts you wouldn't know a good case of crepitus if it came and beat you in the Farage with a banjo, so I suggest you go and see your doctor.

    Go and see your doctor.

    OK - nothing health-related on this forum then - best inform the moderators. You are assuming there is nothing to be gained from obtaining some anecdotal evidence before seeking medical advice (which I was always going to do because I am not a moron). And yes, I know perfectly well what Crepitus is - I suggest you don't.
    I think this specific to this issue, because this is something you should really see a doctor about, particularly if it is early stages of arthritis.
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
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