Knee - from pain to cracking sound

[Anonymous]

My knee did have just general pain, but in recent days it has started "cracking" when I walk.

I have a dr appt, but not until July - what could be the cause and what should I do?

[Anonymous]

That sounds like mine was, and unfortunately it was arthritis (onset at age 22).

[Anonymous]

Knee problems are more common in women than men as the angle of our leg anatomy is more pronounced to accommodate our wider pelvises.

It's not unusual to have the muscles on one side of your knee more developed than on the other, causing your patella to become misaligned. I would go see an ortho. It might be something correctable with some physical therapy/exercises.

[Anonymous]

PP has great suggestion, I think misalignment is my problem as well. I had pain and cracking in my knees. At some point it was so bad I could barely go down the stairs, worse in the morning. I found that stretching, especially calf muscles and hamstrings stretching helps. I went to dr, who found nothing wrong and was going to do steroid shots. I figured I'd better live with pain, but started to do regular stretches and now I'm virtually pain-free. I also walk and exercise regularly, and do not wear high heels.

[Anonymous]

I had patellar tendonitis. No cracking. But I heartily second the physical therapy rec. I went to a PT and still do special exercises that strengthen my hips. My IT band was pulling my kneecap off kilter and causing the pain. Hopefully yours is something you can do exercises for as well (I have no pain now). Never will wear high heels again tho....