Grinding knees?

Question

For a few years I've heard a popping/grinding sound in my knees when I squat down and stand back up around the knee cap area. But just recently I started feeling a little pain just below my right knee cap, and I don't want to wear down my knees or hurt them even more. Does anyone know what this is, or how to prevent the wearing of the knees?

Answer 1

Yes, I have bad knees, also. No, there is not a way to 'prevent' the wearing of joints. It's a natural process of aging.

All that popping you've heard through the years has been the cartilage on one bone of your joint grinding against the cartilage on the other bone of the joint. Normally there is a fluid that helps to cushion/lubicate the joint as it moves. If you are dehydrated or have had injuries to that joint that fluid can lessen causing the grinding instead of smooth flexing of the joint.

After several years of this arthritis can result. I'm riddled with arthritis caused by many injuries during my lifetime. I use Advil or it's generic equivilent, Ibuprofen, to help reduce inflamation and pain. In addition to my regular diet, I also take multi-vitamin/mineral supplements that include calcium, magnesium, biotin, glucosamine and condriotin since these minerals are important to good skeletal health.

I have picked a combination of products that give a balanced dose of all vitamins and minerals because when the intake of one vitamin or mineral goes up the intake of others happens and an imbalance can occure which can lead to more intense problems.

In addition, taking too much of something can cause problems too. For instance, vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluable vitamins that build up in the body and can poison it in very high doses. I suggest you research this on your own since there is only limited room here to explain further.

I've supplied some links for you to START your research.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehydration

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartilage

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tendonitis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthritis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamins

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietary_mineral

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteoporosis

Answer 2

Have you ever had any knee injuries in the past..like when you were much younger? I have the same problem after years of football and wrestling. You might have a slight tear of the meniscus...more probably a loose piece of cartilage moving around in there. There are some joint creams that will help ease the pain. You'll need to see a specialist if you get too concerned about it. The knees and feet take a tremendous punishment just walking around so it would be difficult to prevent further wear and tear. I feel your pain and th e only thing I know for me is that the pain gets worse the older I get.

Answer 3

Sounds like a torn meniscus. It doesn't really heal on its own. Not much blood supply to it. That is why it just keeps getting a little worse with age.

See an orthopedic specialist. Repair is a fairly routine and quick procedure these days.

Answer 4

Sounds like arthritis. See your doctor.