Popping sound from knee

Of the 187 joints in your body, knee is the most commonly injured joint. Approximately 50 million people in USA suffer from knee pain. From accidents to falls and sport injuries there could be countless instances in your daily lives that can result in knee injuries.

The four ligaments in the knee connect bones within the joint and help to provide stability and flexibility. Injury to any of these ligaments could be damaging.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured ligament in sport.

Football players, athletes and skiers run a high risk of knee injuries. Compared to men, women are more prone to ACL tear than men.

The ligaments are likely to tear at the middle or may rip off from the femur and these injuries need urgent medical intervention as they are less likely to heal by themselves in adults. Children stand a better chance where it might heal on its own. An MRI scan is the most sought after method to study the damage and to find out injuries to ligaments or cartilage in the knee. If not treated in time, it might lead to early arthritis in the affected knee.

ACL tears can happen due to sudden jerky movements of the knee, severe blows or overstretching of the knee joint among other factors. If the knee appears loose, it is usually a sign of an ACL injury. The pop sound is one of the earliest sure shot indication of an ACL tear, which will be followed by severe pain and swelling.

An ACL injury could be treated with a splint, ice, elevation of the joint, and pain relievers. Complete rest is advised till the knee is fully healed and certified fit by the physician. Crutches could be of use to relieve pressure on the knee while physical therapy would help to regain joint motion and muscle strength. A knee sprain is a joint injury that causes a stretch or tear in one or more of the knee ligaments. A sprain can be mild, moderate, or severe depending on the amount of damage to the ligament.

Prolonged application of ice is the time tested method to manage sprains. Home remedies are also quite effective for knee sprain. Place a few chopped onions wrapped in a muslin cloth or a paste made from lime leaves and butter on the affected area. Applying a mixture of raw lime powder and honey is also helpful.