The appearance of creaking sounds in the knees when going up or down stairs is a health issue that many people ignore, considering it normal. Some fear that it might indicate bone weakness. However, does the sound in the knees mean osteoporosis, i.e., thinning bones?
Dr. Amit Sharma from the Department of Orthopedics, Joint Replacement, and Sports Medicine at Yashoda Medicity Hospital explained why knee sounds occur. In medical terminology, this sound is called crepitus. It can be caused by changes in gas bubbles inside the knee joint or by the movement of tendons and ligaments. Such sounds can also appear when pads or cartilage wear out due to age and increased load, causing bones to rub against each other.
Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by a decrease in bone tissue density, leading to bone weakening. With this disease, the rate of new bone formation slows down compared to the rate of old bone destruction or degradation. A feature of osteoporosis is that symptoms are usually absent in the early stages. Furthermore, one cannot claim that a person has osteoporosis based solely on the appearance of creaking in the knees, as this is not a specific sign of this disease. For diagnosis, doctors may recommend a bone mineral density (BMD) test.
If the creaking happens occasionally, it does not cause serious problems. However, if it happens daily, it is necessary to consult a doctor. It is especially important to consult if this sound is accompanied by pain, swelling, or stiffness, as this may be a sign of osteoarthritis.
To maintain the health of the knee joints, it is crucial to exercise regularly and monitor nutrition. The diet should include milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, and calcium.