Crunchy knees

[ballbaby]

I have really crunchy knees and am conscious of the noise when going upstairs etc! What does it mean? Should I be eating something different/doing more of a particular exercise?

I had a problem with knees clicking particularly on the stairs when I was at Uni. Is this what you mean by crunchy knees? Anyway, one day, I couldn't put any weight on them at all, they kept giving way.
Turned out that my quadriceps weren't strong enough and physio advised various exercises to strengthen them. It cleared up the problem apart from when coming down mountains, but I don't do that very often!

I had crunchy knees as a child and they used to lock up on me too. I had x-rays and scans and at the age of 17, had keyhole surgery to scrape the backs of my kneecaps. I was suffering with something called Chrondramalacia Patella (crunbling kneecaps)which is incredibly common in young women.

I was told too only partake in low impact exercise, swimming being the best and to drink lots of milk.

Does it cause you pain ballbaby?

oops... crumbling..not crunbling!!

Yes it's sometimes painful - especially walking upstairs. And the odd sharp jab. Would you say it's worth getting checked out? Can you recommend any exercises for quads? (I love swimming, but hate squats which is what I think you'll say I should do!!!)

The only one I can remember that the physio recommended is squatting with back against wall (sitting on an imaginary stool up close against the wall) and holding for as long as possible, which is only a few seconds in my case.

I would get it checked out as it's obviously concerning you, otherwise you wouldn't have posted!

Thanks - will try the exercises for a bit to see if it makes any difference - thighs could do with a bit of toning so will do me good anyway!