Expert: Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP - 10/19/2008

Question
SYMPTOM:
My right knee recently began clicking audibly with every step & I'm experiencing some tingling & discomfort after I've been on my feet for a awhile. I have no prolonged or intense pain. It's also uncomfortable to bend it fully.

HISTORY:
I'm a 31 year old female. My knees have always cracked when squatting down but there has never been any pain. I recently starting working out, as I'm about 25lbs overweight, focusing on cardio & leg workouts. This issue began the day after a particularly intense workout.

QUESTION:
I've started a new job, so my medical benefits are several weeks away from being instated. I'd like to know if this seems like a serious injury & what can I do to keep it from developing into a more serious injury. Also, Should I continue to try cardio & leg workouts or should I just stick to arm & ab exercises?

Answer
Corianne,

Stand on one leg, the one with the painful knee, bend about 20-20 degrees, and then twist your body to the left and right with the right foot/leg planted on the ground.   If this causes pain, then odds are you have a tear in the meniscus.  This is the rubbery cartilage between the knee on the inner and outer side of the joint.  If this maneuver does not hurt, then there may be something else going on with the meniscus.  Sometimes they get get "gunky", called mucoid degeneration.   But the clicking also can be a symptom of a generally dysfunctioning or inflammed knee, and this can come from anything, including your intense workout.   At the gym, avoid seated knee extensions (leg extensions), seated leg press, heavy squatting, or any knee-bending activity that provokes pain. Do anything that doesn't cause your knee to hurt, e.g. upper body or cardio circuits. If hamstring reps on a machine feels good, do more of this.  So long as you don't have disabling pain, then odds are your knee is not bad.  If you still have knee symptoms by the time your medical benefits arrive, then get an examination by an orthopedist or a certified sports chiropractor.  

'Hope this helps.

Dr. G