Knee "crunching" when stretching

[novacat]

Hi everyone,

First time poster but long time lurker here with a question regarding knees. I just recently (past six weeks) started squatting. A few weeks ago I noticed that certain stretches cause my knees to crack sort of similar to what it sounds like when you crack your knuckles. However it's more of a "crunching" sound if that makes any sense. Anyway's there's no pain caused by me doing this, and it actually makes my knees feel good. Also, I'm 21 years old with no history of knee injury before, and I have no knee pain either during leg workouts or normally.

Is this normal for this to happen? It concerns me that this has begun since I started squatting. I'm maintaining good form on the squats and haven't gone with heavy squatting weight so that I can concentrating on getting good form memorized. It just makes me think that I may be doing something in my form that is detrimental to my knees and that this is an early indication of it.

[Kevin T.]

My knees crack when i squat all the time. My guess for me personally is that i'm not very flexible in the hamstring dept. But thats just a guess by a teenager at 2 in the morning [img]tongue.gif[/img] It happens with any amount of weight and even without any at all

[dawong]

bump...ive had it happen to me a few times too, but not consistently

[bryanc]

"Crepitus" or joint cracking isn't anything to be worried about UNLESS it's accompanied by pain or affects your movement (e.g. your knee locks, or gives way accompanied by crepitus).

It likely happens early on in your workout and then goes away? Either way, it's not likely to be something you need to be concerned about.

[Kevin T.]

Yea mine personally happens early in the workout. I do oly style squats, going as low as i can go and i'm guessing that that would probably affect it a bit. Thanks bryanc [img]smile.gif[/img]

[dawong]

mine actually occurs after a workout...lol..happens in my shoulders too
doesnt hurt or anything though
thx bryanc