Knees popping!!! video inside!

steve spear · 04-04-2009, 06:16 PM

Ok decided to start 20 rep squats to add some mass and strength. When I watched my video I noticed a very loud pop on the first rep and a little crunching on the 2nd.... then none really. This isn't new, but I didn't know it was so loud... anyway I have no pain during or after, no soreness. I also run at least 3 times a week no less than 5k and have no pain during or after...... Simple question I think I know the answer.... Is this a big deal? I'm thinking no because there is no pain or discomfort.

video
wfs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPNsrIVOXAk

ps only didn't 19 cuz I miss counted

Kevin Perry · 04-04-2009, 06:25 PM

Knees popping is pretty normal, do your knees always pop when you squat? If there is pain then I would say back off from 20 rep squats and get the knee checked. Up to you though. After a while it may go away.

Robert Callahan · 04-04-2009, 09:44 PM

I would say just shove your knees out a bit harder. If there is no accompanying pain don't stress too much

sollo rick · 04-05-2009, 10:09 PM

I have a lot of knee problems
I rode a recumbent exercise bike a lot
1 hour for at least three days a week
For therapy not conditioning
And wore Tommy Kono knee sleeves when squatting
And it really helped me
If your town has a China town some Chinese pharmacies have an acupuncturist in the back that can help this condition

Steven Low · 04-05-2009, 10:11 PM

How's your hamstring strength compared to your quad strength?

And yes, it's generally fine if there's no pain.

Arien Malec · 04-05-2009, 10:19 PM

For me, knee popping is generally a sign of being too tight. Foam rolling for the quads and ITB and stretching for the hams does it for me. YMMV.

steve spear · 04-06-2009, 07:54 AM

I think my quads are stronger, becuase my hamstrings are what is usually most sore. I'll start working on hamstring flexablity..... since I can barely touch my toes.... there's still no pain but it still sounds funny so if I can stop it I will.

Steven Low · 04-06-2009, 08:37 AM

Well, there's usually SOME disparity in favor of the quads... normally you want something like hammies to be ~3/4 as strong (3 muscles vs. 4 muscles).

No translation of the femur-tibia articulation should help eliminate the popping, and translation is usually due to an imbalancing pulling the femur either forward or backwards (usually forwards if the quads are dominant). This also puts stress on the ACL.

Garrett Smith · 04-06-2009, 08:52 AM

I was a baseball catcher for ~10 years. My knees like to make all sorts of noises, especially on the first couple reps of things like squatting. I have no knee pain, nor any history of it.

The fewer nightshades/gluten/dairy I eat, the popping can reduce by up to 90% for me. As Arien said, YMMV.

Gavin Harrison · 04-06-2009, 08:43 PM

I can pop my knees fairly frequently like that, but not much while squatting, without any load being applied to them by flexing them. My doctor just thinks I'm loosely jointed, so I've never worried about it. I usually flex my knees to about 90º before I get under the bar just to loosen up my quads a little before squatting anyway, that might help. Also, I squat just bellow parallel (maybe 1-2 inches), not of to rock bottom.