Knee Pops, Snaps, and Crackles
Crackling or popping noises coming from the knee medically known as crepitus and there is no associated pain in crepitus which is often normal. However, if a person experiences swelling, loss of knee function, or pain, then they might seek the opinion of an orthopedic surgeon. The most common underlying causes of crepitus are chondromalacia patella or osteoarthritis. [1] Chondromalacia patella is a condition in which the cartilage surrounding the patella starts tearing away. These conditions lead to rough surfaces around the knee causing them to rub against each other and cause sounds of popping.