Too young for 'crunching' knees?

[LakeGeneva1]

Today is a rare child free day thanks to my amazing MIL. The house is so quiet I can actually hear myself think… and apparently my knees. 😬

I went upstairs to grab something and wait for it… my knees started making the crunching crackling sounds. At first I thought it was the floorboards… but no, it was me. My own knees!

I concentrated on it and it sounded exactly like scrunching crisp wrappers with every step down. 🤯

I’m 47, mum of two (8 and 9), quite slim, no knee pain at all… but suddenly I’m panicking about early onset osteoarthritis. I thought I was too young for this!

Honestly, I’m starting to think it’s from running after my boys all day and going up and down the stairs a million times. My knees have been working overtime.

Some reading tells me crunchy knees are actually pretty normal as we get older. Gas bubbles in joint fluid, tendons moving over bone, small changes in cartilage… and it doesn’t always mean something is wrong.

My dad had really bad knees and needed steroid injections, but he was in his 70s! So I’m hoping mine aren’t heading there already…

Still, hearing my knees like crisp packets is a shock. So I’m asking other women around my age… are your knees crunching like mine? No pain, just that weird wrapper noise? Do you think there is anything I could do that might actually help? x

Im following closely OP - Im 41 and have crunchy knees! No pain, not overweight, but very very loud knees!

I’m 41 and have crunchy, crackly knees occasionally.

You do? Maybe this is normal? I feel like the Tin Man fro The Wizard of OZ! 😂

48, was commenting to DH a couple of days ago about the sound my knees were making!

Ive had creaky knees and pain in my knees for years. MRI in my later 30s to find out the problem and my knee joint is worn and I have very little fluid around my knees.

my mum has had 2 knee replacements in her 60s, so I m thinking I probably will need something done with mine too.

I guess I’m wondering if I should get a scan to see if there’s anything I can do now to possibly avoid surgery in the future?

I’m early 40s and started with this about 15 years ago! Still no pain or problems, hope it stays that way. My friend is a similar age and her knees make the same crunching sound too, although not sure how long hers have done it for.

One of mine started around 51, the other a year or so later. 59 now and just had a double partial knee replacement. Best thing ever but shouldn't have left it so long as the last 3 or 4 years been quite painful. Injections in the last year helped then on wait list for around 9 months for surgery. Had them both done together.

I might start taking glucosamine now I think about it.

Mine have done this forever, I’m 39.

I’ve never had any pain with it, I’ve never been overweight and there never been any injury….but my knees have crunched since my mid-20’s 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️😂
I’m in my early 30’s and tbh various parts of my body crack like a glow stick 🫠

My mom has crunchy knees and has done since I was a child when she'd have been early 30's. Both sisters had it in 20's too. They are all slightly overweight but nothing major. I dread hearing it from mine😂

were they painful too?

You've done well!
Im 30 and have had crunching, cracking, locking up knees for 20 years, had 3 rounds of steroid injections and probably taken my body weight in pain killers over the last year.

Mine have been doing it for donkeys’ years and I have still have the originals. 😂

DH mentioned his crunchy knees to the GP - this would have been when he was early 40s and the GP just said 'come back when they hurt'.

Wow, it looks like this is really common. I’m just not sure if my knee should crunch every time I bend and put weight on it. Need to look for my oil can!

Please don't expect this on the NHS - knee crepitus (medical term for the crunchy noise) without any other symptoms doesn't warrant any tests or treatment.

I have had crunchy knees for a few years, I'm 42.

I'm slim, weight train, spin, do yoga, stretching and walk lots. There's no pain, it's mainly my left knee, which I did have an injury to in my early 20s so it might be that. My mum has arthritis in her knees so it could be hereditary. Although my mum has always been overweight and a smoker so I'm hoping that hers might be due to lifestyle and pass me by.

My knees have made audible cracks if I go from sitting to standing, standing to sitting, when I walk up stairs since I was maybe 23/24.

Im sorry to hear that.
Maybe mine started earlier but I just didnt notice it. I should be grateful I am not in pain.

Squats and lunges done regularly help keep your knees strong - strengthens the ligaments.

I wont. I would pay for it 😊

My knees crunch on every step and I’m 26! I was a housekeeper though, and I’ve wrecked them.

I've got bad knees. Early 40s. Ultrasound showed lots of holes and scarring in the tendons under my knee cap. I've been doing physio nearly every day since Christmas. It really helps but the whole situation is a real downer!