Why Does My Knee Click When I Bend It?

Knee clicking when bending typically results from tendons or ligaments moving over bone surfaces or gas bubbles releasing from synovial fluid. Most clicking without pain or other symptoms is harmless and may come from gas bubbles or soft tissues moving around the joint. In some people, kneecap movement or the iliotibial band can also produce clicking. Knee clicking without pain or difficulty using the joint is common. Clicking with ongoing pain, swelling, instability, locking, reduced movement, or difficulty bearing weight should be assessed by a healthcare professional, especially after an injury. These symptoms can have several causes, including meniscus, cartilage, or kneecap-related problems. Knee sounds may become more noticeable with age, but they do not necessarily mean that the cartilage is damaged or wearing away.