Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health 'Popping' Knees Are Not a Sign of Early Arthritis, According to New Study
Oct 8, 2025
Knee popping, also known as crepitus, affects around 40% of people and isn't always a sign of joint issues. A recent study on ACL recovery showed early cartilage stress but no long-term problems related to knee sounds. Painless pops can arise from gas bubbles or tendon shifts. Strength training for key muscle groups helps protect noisy knees, while lifestyle changes are often better than surgery. Additionally, collagen supplements and bone broth can support connective tissue health. A two-week challenge encourages tracking strength and mobility improvements.
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Popping Alone Isn’t Arthritis
- Knee popping (crepitus) is common and alone does not mean joint degeneration or inevitable arthritis.
- A five-year study found early crepitus signaled recovery stress but not long-term decline when rehab continued.
Noisy Knees After ACL Often Recover
- Young adults after ACL reconstruction with noisy knees showed more early pain and MRI cartilage defects.
- By year five, pain and function matched quiet knees, so crepitus did not predict continued decline.
Why Knees Occasionally Pop
- Common benign causes of knee sounds include gas bubble collapse in synovial fluid and tendons snapping over bone.
- These mechanisms can produce painless pops similar to knuckle cracking or temporary clicks during movement.