A snapping sound in the knee when swinging the leg

A popping sound in the knee when swinging the leg may be caused by muscle strain, meniscus injury, osteoarthritis, synovitis, or knee joint osteophyte formation. Patients need to undergo treatment based on their specific condition. The details are as follows:

1. Muscle Strain

When engaging in prolonged physical labor or exercise, excessive wear on the joints may occur, leading to muscle strain. This can result in abnormal sounds when moving the knee.

2. Meniscus Injury

The meniscus may suffer disruption of its integrity and continuity due to direct or indirect external impacts, causing pain and clicking noises during knee movement. If the meniscus injury is mild, patients may be treated with rest, ice application, compression bandaging, etc. However, if symptoms persist despite conservative treatment, surgical intervention such as meniscus repair or partial meniscectomy at a qualified hospital may be required.

3. Osteoarthritis

This condition is commonly caused by trauma or bone spurs. Under external stimuli, severe joint wear may develop, leading to osteoarthritis and resulting in knee pain and abnormal joint sounds. In such cases, patients may take medications such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets or celecoxib capsules as directed by a physician.

4. Synovitis

Synovitis may be related to excessive joint activity, joint injury, or cartilage degeneration. It can cause knee swelling and pain. As the condition progresses, joint adhesions may form, leading to audible sounds during knee movement. Timely use of medications such as celecoxib capsules or ibuprofen sustained-release capsules under medical guidance is necessary to quickly relieve knee pain.

5. Knee Joint Osteophyte Formation

This condition is associated with abnormal cartilage nutrition and metabolism, as well as mechanical stress imbalance. If proper warmth and protection for the knee are not maintained after onset, patients may experience joint soreness, discomfort, joint clicking, and pain. Oral medication under a doctor's supervision—such as etoricoxib tablets, etofenamate tablets, or pregabalin capsules—may be needed.

In addition, similar symptoms may also be caused by conditions such as synovitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or patellar chondromalacia. In summary, if you experience knee popping when swinging your leg or any other discomfort, it is recommended to visit a hospital for examination and diagnosis to determine the exact cause and receive appropriate treatment.