“Clicking” in Knee
Question
Dear TAI Experts:
My son is currently a junior in college playing soccer. He has been playing since age five. The past year he is experiencing clicking of his knees. What would cause this and should he be seen by a physical therapist?
Answer
Thank you for the question. It is always refreshing to see people ask questions proactively. There are numerous things that can cause clicking at the knees. Without doing a physical examination I cannot speak specifically as to what is causing your son’s clicking. The clicking could be caused by several structures gliding across each other - bone across bone, bone across cartilage, tendon across bone, or ligament across bone. When the knee bends and straightens, the kneecap glides along a groove in the thigh bone. If there is a muscle imbalance (e.g. tight or weak muscles), this can cause uneven forces on the kneecap so that it does not trace straight through the groove. When the kneecap rides up the side of this groove, it can cause a click when it slides back. This is one possibility. A physical therapist would be qualified to examine your son’s knees and lower extremity mechanics. If he does have a muscle imbalance or other malalignment, they can recommend appropriate treatment.
Beth Welander, PT, DPT
“Clicking” in Knee