Crackling and popping in the knees is common, but a new study published in the journal Arthritis Care & Research (AC&R) suggests that it doesn't necessarily mean arthritis is starting.
Researchers at La Trobe University in Australia followed 112 young people after anterior cruciate ligament surgery. They had MRI scans and joint evaluations over five years. They found that while knee popping in the first year was associated with cartilage damage and poorer joint function, it did not lead to increased pain or further knee damage in the long term.
The study refutes the popular belief that creaky knees predict early arthritis. According to experts, noise in the joints should not be considered a reliable diagnostic sign of the disease.
The authors note that to prevent arthritis, it is much more important to stay active and undergo timely rehabilitation after injuries than to worry about sounds in the knee.
It is important to note that this study was conducted on a very specific group of people—young people after ACL surgery. Therefore, its findings are specific to this cohort and may not automatically apply to others, especially older people or those who have not had similar serious knee injuries. For other groups, knee creaking may still have a different clinical significance. Therefore, see a doctor if your creaking is accompanied by pain, swelling, or limited movement.
