Right knee popping on squats

[Domjo54]

I feel like I've researched this topic half to death over the years, and I get different results everywhere, so maybe someone here has had a similar experience and can help me out--I'd really appreciate it.

Basically, I go through spurts where my right knee will pop every time I squat down (weighted, bodyweight, whatever). This might happen for a few weeks or a month or more, then stop for a while, then come back--it definitely happens the majority of the time I train, though. I don't feel like I have any strength imbalances, but, despite being young, I have suffered some injuries over the years (though never anything directly related to my legs, almost always my back), so I suppose this could be related. It feels uncomfortable when it happens, and it basically feels like a band in my knee is being stretched like a rubber band until it snaps and then I heard the "pop" noise.

Other people have noticed it and thought it was cause for concern, while some people online (not necessarily the best sources, I suppose) have said that if no serious pain is resulting for it, then I can just shrug it off and train through it. I was hoping someone here could help shed some light on it. If I left out any information, please let me know.

[Domjo54]

Where exactly is the pop

Is it just squatting that causes it, what about just knee flexion, knee+hip flexion, knee flexion+hip extension, knee flexion+femoral rotation/adduction/abduction etc.

Is it more noticeable after long periods of stuff, like sleeping, sitting, walking etc.

What (if any) stretching do you do, and how is your flexibility

Thanks for the response, Jon.

The pop is at the top of the knee, off the the right side a bit (I can actually feel it, along with the band-like tension, if I touch my knee while bending it). I can take a picture if you'd like?

It is any time my knee gets past a certain angle. Whether it's squatting, or right now, I am laying in bed and just pulled my leg in to look closer at it, no matter what, it will pop past a certain point.

I have not noticed any change after sleeping, sitting, walking, or anything.

Flexibility is probably about average...I have no problem getting below depth in the squat (I can post a video if you'd like), and my hamstring flexibility (judging by my RDLs and my attempts to touch my toes) is nothing special, but not awful. I don't do any static or dynamic stretching, but I have in the past, and didn't notice any real difference (but, honestly, I was not that dedicated to it).

[Corrie]

If it isn't hurting then why do you care? The body makes all types of sounds, they don't all indicate an injury.

I have a bad right knee and once in a while it will pop really loud when I squat but it hasn't affected my squatting at all.

[Plato209]

Does your patella move with the 'pop' sound or is the sound itself the only indication that something is happening?

[Gunnhild Bruno]

It is any time my knee gets past a certain angle. Whether it's squatting, or right now, I am laying in bed and just pulled my leg in to look closer at it, no matter what, it will pop past a certain point.

Is that point about 30 degrees of flexion?

[Domjo54]

read up on iliotibial band syndrome; does that seem to fit?

That doesn't sound like it, seeing as what I have is not particularly painful, and I also don't do any running or any of the similar causes of it.

Does your patella move with the 'pop' sound or is the sound itself the only indication that something is happening?

Nothing noticeable.

Is that point about 30 degrees of flexion?

Say I'm standing and going into a squat, it happens just above or right about at parallel. I'm assuming that means 90 degrees flexion?





Thank you guys for the responses so far, by the way.

[Gunnhild Bruno]

You might have an old meniscus injury or loose cartilage that causes trouble sometimes. Noise is one thing, as long as there is no pain. But snapping or "kachunk" kinds of sensations are something potentially more problematic.

How hard/expensive is it to visit a decent ortho and have him take a look? May be worth it. It's a tough call, though, because you report no pain or inflammation/tenderness of any kind, correct? And even if an ortho found something there, you'd pretty much get PT (useless) or surgery. And surgery risks messing up a knee that actually does not hurt and that allows you to train.

[Domjo54]

You might have an old meniscus injury or loose cartilage that causes trouble sometimes. Noise is one thing, as long as there is no pain. But snapping or "kachunk" kinds of sensations are something potentially more problematic.

How hard/expensive is it to visit a decent ortho and have him take a look? May be worth it. It's a tough call, though, because you report no pain or inflammation/tenderness of any kind, correct? And even if an ortho found something there, you'd pretty much get PT (useless) or surgery. And surgery risks messing up a knee that actually does not hurt and that allows you to train.

Interesting, never really gave that much of a thought because I don't ever recall having a major knee injury (though I've had occasional issues like anybody else), and I'm still young (18). Could it be something genetic/degenerative? I ask because my dad has bad knees, but my mom has TERRIBLE knees. In her 50s, she has zero cartilage left in either of her knees, and it's not like she was 100 lbs overweight or did taxing exercise her entire life. So I'll probably get that to complement my shit back.

I don't know much about finding a good ortho, but that's just not something I'd realistically do unless it became a major issue (which is probably stupid, but the truth, unless insurance paid for it). Would be far more likely to check one out for the aforementioned back problem. Would like to find a good chiro...