Noise around the Knee

The sounds around the knee have been described using various terms, including popping, snapping, catching, clicking, crunching, cracking, crackling, creaking, grinding, grating, and clunking. These terms can be used to differentiate noises in terms of frequency, duration, and loudness, but it is not easy to describe the nature of the sounds precisely. The term “popping” is used to describe a sudden sharp explosion and well perceived sound in an injury situation; popping can occur at the root tear of the degenerative medial meniscus and at the detachment of the cruciate or collateral ligaments of the knee.7) The term “clunking” is used to describe a loud, singular noise occurring due to release against resistance; patellofemoral clunking after TKA is caused by entrapment of fibrotic nodule at the junction of the superior pole of the patella and the distal quadriceps tendon within the superior aspect of the intercondylar box of the femoral component during knee flexion to extension.8) The term “clicking” is used to describe a tiny, singular noise that occurs during one cycle of knee extension and flexion; it is commonly associated with meniscal tears.1) The terms “grinding” and “grating” are used to describe a continuous scratching noise; grinding or grating is common in degenerative OA and patellofemoral pain syndrome.2, 9) However, joint sounds are commonly labeled as crepitus by doctors because this term is familiar due to the use for describing lung sounds.

The precise onset of physiological noise is commonly unknown by patients. On the contrary, the onset of pathological noise is relatively clear compared to physiological noise. The onset of pathological noise can be divided into acute and chronic. Acute onset of noise accompanied by pain may be caused by meniscal or ligament injury.7, 10) Chronic pathological noise can occur gradually; it may occur sporadically or frequently, depending on the cause. Recurrent and chronic noise may be caused by old meniscal tears, cartilage injury, OA, patellofemoral instability, or patellofemoral pain syndrome.6, 11, 12, 13)

The best way to differentiate between physiological noise and pathological noise is by checking for pain and swelling/effusion in the knee joint.1, 14, 15) In addition, physiological noise has no association with a history of injury, no aggravation of sounds and combined symptoms, and a sporadic nature due to buildup of air in the joint fluid.16, 17)

However, pathological noise is often associated with pain and swelling/effusion in various intra- and extra-articular pathologies. A loud “pop” with pain at the time of injury usually indicates damage to the ligaments or the meniscus.7) Crepitus, in the absence of any history of injury, may indicate cartilage lesions in OA or inflammatory arthritis.2, 18) In addition, pathological noise can be observed consistently on careful examination, instead of being intermittent in nature like air-related physiological noise.

A great deal of research has been done to detect noise around the knee, and to compare physiological and pathological noise by acoustic emission.19, 20, 21) Friction between articulating structures, as occurs at the knee joint, gives rise to various types of vibrations. This acoustic energy travels to the surface of the skin, encountering a large impedance mismatch between the fluid-filled tissue and air.19, 20, 21) Although the majority of the acoustic energy is reflected back into the tissue, a small amount propagates into the air, resulting in audible sounds. Vibration sensors (e.g., accelerometers, piezoelectric devices, and stethoscopes) or air microphones (e.g., electret microphones and microelectromechanical systems) are used to measure joint vibration sounds.21)

Numerous previous studies developed diagnostic techniques by acoustic emission for differentiation between physiological and pathological noises.19, 20, 21) It was reported that OA knees produce acoustic emissions with greater frequency, higher peaks, and longer duration compared to healthy knees.19, 20, 21) Shark et al.20) compared the acoustic emissions between age-matched healthy and OA knees during the four phases of the sit-stand-sit movement, and found significant differences in the peak magnitude and average signal level of each acoustic emission burst, especially during the ascending deceleration phase. Prior et al.19) compared the frequency of joint acoustic events between clinically healthy and OA knees, where joint acoustic events were defined as burst signal waveforms above a threshold of 32 dB. They reported that clinically healthy knees could be distinguished from OA knees according to the number of joint acoustic events and their frequencies.

However, the method of using acoustic emission needs much improvement to be more useful in clinical practice. Future works should be performed to mitigate background and interface noise, and develop new processing techniques for detecting clinically relevant acoustic signatures.22) Further studies will be required to determine the specific acoustic emission features that provide valuable information.

The origin of physiological noise varies and includes a buildup or bursting of tiny bubbles in the synovial fluid, snapping of ligaments, catching of the synovium or physiological plica, hypermobile meniscus or discoid meniscus, and perception of previous noise after knee surgery due to emotional concerns (Table 1).10, 13, 15, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)

Table 1
Comparison of Physiological and Pathological Sources of Noise around the Knee

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Joint sounds occurring repeatedly with range of motion typically arise when anatomical structures rub against each other, but cracking sounds have a refractory period before being repeated, even with ongoing motion.27, 28) Although various hypotheses have been proposed regarding the origin of cracking sounds, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Several authors suggested that the sudden collapse of a cavitation bubble caused cracking,17, 29, 30) while others reported that the formation of a clear space or bubble was the source of cracking.28, 31, 32, 33) Recently, Kawchuk et al.27) presented direct evidence from real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that the mechanism of cracking is related to cavity formation rather than bubble collapse. This is consistent with tribonucleation, a process where opposing surfaces resist separation until a critical point, at which they separate rapidly creating a sustained gas cavity.27, 31) Changes in joint pressure can cause tiny bubbles of gas to slowly form in the joints. When these gas bubbles are formed quickly, they make a popping sound. This type of air-mediated popping can also occur in joints other than the knee, and is more prevalent in the knuckle joints of the hands.29) This type of noise, caused by air buildup in the joint, is sporadic in nature.

Ligaments and tendons around the knee joint may stretch slightly as they pass over a small bony lump and then snap back into place, causing a clicking sound in the knee. Snapping syndrome of the knee joint is generally caused by the biceps femoris tendon at the lateral aspect of the normal knee joint.

Other factors can also create physiological noise. Demirag et al.25) reported that the physiological popping or snapping was present in 72% of patients with infrapatellar plica. A young child under 10 years of age with a hypermobile or discoid meniscus has intermittent experiences of popping and snapping without obvious pain.10) A previously present physiological noise may come to a patient's attention after minor trauma or knee surgery due to increased awareness based on heightened concern. Such noises include cracking, catching, and snapping. Reassurance, prevention of arthrofibrosis, and promotion of rehabilitation are sufficient to manage these conditions.

The causes of pathological noise include degenerative changes, pathological plica, patellofemoral instability, pathological snapping knee syndrome, and postsurgical crepitus (Table 1).1, 2, 5)

Postoperative Pathological Noise

Various surgical procedures of the knee can cause the postsurgical noise. The crepitus can be presented when chondrocalcinosis occurs in postmeniscectomy knees.40) Singh et al.41) described that inflammation and impingement of Hoffa's fat pad after arthroscopy could cause crepitus. Paulos et al.42) reported the crepitus in infrapatellar contracture syndrome which most commonly occurred after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament but might arise after less complex arthroscopic procedures including meniscectomy, lateral retinacular release, and diagnostic arthroscopy.

However, patellofemoral crepitus or clunk after TKA will be one of the most important issues after orthopedic surgeries. Various factors related to the patient, prosthesis, and surgical technique can influence patellofemoral crepitus/clunk after TKA (Table 2).5) With regard to patient factors, a previous surgery before TKA, patella baja, and an increased postoperative flexion angle may increase the risk of patellofemoral crepitus/clunk. As prosthetic factors, the increased intercondylar box ratio of the femoral component, reduced patellofemoral conformity, and a first-generation posterior-stabilized femoral component may also increase the risk of patellofemoral crepitus/clunk. Selection of contemporary femoral components with patellofemoral conformity has been shown to decrease the risk of patellar crepitus/clunk and patellofemoral instability.5) Several advantages associated with modification of the patellofemoral design, such as a decreased incidence of anterior knee pain and patellar crepitus, have been demonstrated in clinical studies.43, 44, 45)

Table 2
Factors Affecting the Risk of Patellofemoral Crepitus or Clunk after Total Knee Arthroplasty

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Factors related to the surgical technique include changes in patellar tendon length, joint line elevation, flexion of the femoral component, a small-sized femoral component and patella, decreased or increased thickness of the patellar component composite, increased patellar tilt and translation, and anterior displacement of the tibial component.5, 6) These are clinically important because surgeons can address the risk of patellofemoral crepitus/clunk only through surgical technique-related factors. Nam et al.46) reported that patients frequently perceive noise emanating from the knee after TKA, while those reporting noise from the knee were more likely to have functional limitations and exhibit a limp, swelling, and stiffness. The authors suggested that surgeons should preoperatively inform patients of this possibility because unmet patient expectations have a negative impact on patient satisfaction after TKA.

Taking these factors associated with patellofemoral crepitus/clunk and possible functional limitation into consideration, it is important to avoid surgical errors and to use modern prostheses with extended trochlear groove geometry and proper patellofemoral conformity.

Again, it is important to differentiate between physiological and pathological noises. Physiological noise in the knee is common, but usually painless and harmless. If there is no pathological condition, there is no need to be concerned about the noise. It is sufficient to explain the cause of the noise to patients and reassure them. Various exercises for stretching and strengthening the musculotendinous structures may be beneficial for especially ligament snapping. Hip flexor, iliotibial band, and calf muscle stretching are common stretching exercises, while side steps performed with a resistance band, inner thigh squats, and vastus medialis obliquus activation are popular strengthening exercises.24, 26)

The management of pathological noise will depend on the underlying cause. It requires the conservative or surgical treatment to care for the cause of noise. OA has a variety of treatment options including reducing inflammation, appropriate protection of further damage to pathologic structures, physical therapy and strengthening of the muscles that support the knee.47) The pathological plica can be excised by arthroscopy if it makes refractory and persistent pain in spite of nonsurgical treatment.25) Many surgical procedures for the patellar instability have been introduced, but the surgical method should be reserved until conservative treatment has failed and the chronic recurrent nature of the disease has caused significant functional improvement. Surgical procedure may address either bony or soft tissue components, in a proximal or distal procedure; lateral release, medial repair, medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, tibial tubercle realignment, trochleoplasty can be performed.48) The snapping knee symptoms caused by an intra-articular ganglion cyst can be treated by mass excision.37) Surgical tenotomy or stabilization can be considered in snapping caused by semitendinosus, gracilis, and biceps femoris tendon.49, 50)

The postoperative pathological noise with symptoms can lead to dissatisfaction and functional limitation, especially among patients with high expectation. The possibility of the noise should be informed to the patients. Following surgical principles and providing accurate information can decrease the risk of pathological noise and dissatisfaction. The postoperative Hoffa's disease with pathological noise can be mostly managed by conservative treatment.41) Chronic stage with persistent symptoms or failure with conservative management may require arthroscopic or open resection of the hypertrophic fat pad.51) Severe infrapatellar contracture syndrome after arthroscopic procedures may require opening intra- and extra-articular debridement and release.42) Painful patellar crepitus/clunk after TKA can be effectively treated with either an open or arthroscopic debridement.6)

Noise around the knee is a common phenomenon. In most cases, the sound is physiological, and there is generally no reason for concern. Pathological noise is accompanied by pain, effusion, swelling, and a history of injury. It is characterized by high frequency and gradual aggravation. It is important to differentiate pathological noise from physiological noise. Healthy patients experiencing physiological noise should be given appropriate information and reassurance, while diagnostic interventions for pathological noise should be applied in selected patients. Careful evaluation of the characteristics of noise and differentiation between physiological and pathological noises can provide guidance for patients. Most noises after surgery involve perception of noise that had already been present due to emotional concerns. Minor problems associated with surgery, such as postoperative noise, can reduce patient satisfaction, especially in patients with high expectations. Following surgical principles and providing appropriate information about physiological noise can reduce the risk of pathological noise and unnecessary anxiety, resulting in good patient satisfaction. In TKA, patellar crepitus and clunk should be avoided by using modern prostheses with good patellofemoral conformity and by avoiding surgical errors.