Knee pop but no hurty

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03-22-2005, 01:21 AM
Superstar Punani

Knee pop but no hurty

So I haven't skied in six weeks and spent the weekend skiing pow bell to bell.

On Sat, in the middle of maching turns over dust on crust and bumps I heard a loud and distinctive "pop" or "tock" or whatever from my left knee mid turn after I transitioned from a sweeping left hand GS turn into a sweeping right hand GS turn over windblown pow.

There is no pain and no restriction of movement. I skied all sunday without problems.

What was that noise? Is it like when you crack your knuckles and set the bone in place? This is kinda weirding me out.
03-22-2005, 01:52 AM
altagirl

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superstar Punani

What was that noise? Is it like when you crack your knuckles and set the bone in place? This is kinda weirding me out.

Could be meniscus or other cartilege damage related. I've read that probably the majority of people have small undiagnosed meniscus tears - it's just that you usually only notice them if they're big or displaced and inhibiting ROM or something that causes pain. And I think most people who've had any kind of knee surgery have some crackles and pops afterwards.

But both of my ACL's pops were accompanied by a catastrophic collapse - like you're on your ass in a split second wondering WTF just happened and why your knee moved in the direction it did. So if it's just a noise, but no pain, swelling, or instability - I'd guess it's probably nothing too serious.
03-22-2005, 08:58 AM
basom

if it feels stable and is not swollen you have nothing to fear. untill it gets swollen and feels unstable, then you can worry.
03-22-2005, 09:11 AM
crashnburn'd

My knees pop and crack all the time, it occasionally hurts for a few mintues after it happens. According to a doctor I asked, it's probably that something on one side of my knee is stronger than on the other and it makes my kneecaps move wrong occasionally. Since you haven't been skiing in a long time, you could have something like that going on.
03-23-2005, 01:22 PM
Arnold Babar

Quote:

Originally Posted by crashnburn'd

My knees pop and crack all the time, it occasionally hurts for a few mintues after it happens. According to a doctor I asked, it's probably that something on one side of my knee is stronger than on the other and it makes my kneecaps move wrong occasionally. Since you haven't been skiing in a long time, you could have something like that going on.

I asked my pt about this phenomenon i experienced more in my "good" knee. He said when your leg is unevenly strengthened Your IT (iliotibial) band pulls the knee cap over the knee joint awkwardly. Solution: stretch the IT band (one leg over other touch toes, or lie on side work a quad stretch in a circular motion) and work the knee cap while resting. I'm too lazy to do either so I don't know if it works so both my knees pop all the time. I wouldn't worry unless you start swelling and hurting.
03-23-2005, 04:22 PM
Tyrone Shoelaces

Try googling "patella femoral crepitus"
03-23-2005, 05:10 PM
Kellie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

Try googling "patella femoral crepitus"

Man, you sound smart!

Yeah Pu, if it's stable and not swollen you're prolly okay . . . or you may have a slight tear like I did in December . . . a wierd twist, some initial pain, and "wierdness" upon skiing after 2 weeks off of skis . . . I never felt unstable but it felt almost like something was catching/pulling if I needed to use my skis to bring a turn back in check, or landed even a slight air.

Glad you're out there - I was beginning to wonder if you still ski :D
03-26-2005, 12:30 PM
truth

Quote:

Originally Posted by altagirl

But both of my ACL's pops were accompanied by a catastrophic collapse - like you're on your ass in a split second wondering WTF just happened and why your knee moved in the direction it did. So if it's just a noise, but no pain, swelling, or instability - I'd guess it's probably nothing too serious.

Don't leave out the searing white hot poker sensation and the turning of your stomach.

Sp...no pain = no problem. If you tore something you would not be asking us if you tore something.
03-27-2005, 04:03 PM
the_eleven

Quote:

Originally Posted by truth

Don't leave out the searing white hot poker sensation and the turning of your stomach.

Sp...no pain = no problem. If you tore something you would not be asking us if you tore something.

I totally disagree. I completely tore my ACL, (grade 3 tear) trying to turn in some thick snow, just twisting my uphill leg down the hill. I heard the pop, and had no pain, no swelling. The doc at the Kirkwood clinic said I was fine, so I skied the rest of the day. But I was pretty sure it was torn.

Went back to work, and jumped off a ladder, knee collapsed, and then I knew for sure.

SP, I would get it checked out. Thing is, you need an MRI to verify, and unless you complain of pain (hint, hint) most insurers won't cover the MRI.

There are a bunch of diferent ways to tear an ACL; many are accompanied by pain and swelling, but not all.