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Knee crepitus is the popping, grinding, or cracking sound felt or heard when moving the knee joint
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Crepitus often occurs without pain or damage, though it can be surprising or uncomfortable for some people
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Crepitus varies greatly between people depending on knee health, activity type, and how frequently it occurs
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Crepitus is a common sign in osteoarthritis, linked to joint surface changes, but not always worsening damage
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Many people notice crepitus after inactivity or during exercise, especially when bending or extending the knee joint
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Crepitus influences some people’s exercise habits, leading them to modify movements or avoid certain activities altogether
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Compared to crepitus, symptoms like pain or swelling more strongly influence decisions to reduce or stop exercising
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Strengthening muscles around the knee, such as the quadriceps muscle, may improve joint support and possibly reduce crepitus sounds
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Perform low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling regularly to maintain knee flexibility and avoid joint overload
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Include strength training, targeting knee-supporting muscles to stabilise the joint and reduce stress during movement