The inside of my knee clicks and catches, and it hurts. What is it?

Harmless clicks and the ones that matter

Most knees click now and then, especially when getting up or squatting. If there is no pain, no swelling and no catching, it is usually gas bubbles or tendons gliding over bone, and it needs no treatment.

A click becomes significant when the same movement produces a painful click every time, when the knee seems to catch and you have to wiggle it to free it, or when it is followed by swelling. These mechanical symptoms suggest something inside the joint is getting caught.

Likely causes on the inner side

• Medial meniscus tear: a painful catch or click on the joint line, often with twisting or deep bending, and swelling afterwards
• Bucket-handle meniscus tear: a large flap that can flip into the centre and block the knee from fully straightening
• Medial plica syndrome: a fold of joint lining beside the kneecap that snaps over the bone with bending, painful and sometimes thick to touch
• Loose body or cartilage fragment, which can cause catching that moves around the knee
• Arthritis, where clicking is more of a rough grinding than a sharp catch

What you can do

Note which movements produce the painful click and avoid them for a few weeks, particularly twisting, deep squats and sitting cross-legged. Keep the knee strong with exercises that do not trigger the catch, such as straight-leg raises, bridges and cycling with low resistance.

If the knee catches, try gently bending and straightening it while sitting without weight on it. Do not force it straight.

When to see a knee surgeon in Doha

Get prompt assessment, within days, if the knee locks and cannot fully straighten. A displaced bucket-handle tear is time sensitive, because early repair gives the meniscus a better chance of being saved. Book an appointment if painful catching recurs, if the knee swells after episodes, or if it gives way.

At Aman Hospital, Dr. Gelber uses specific examination tests for the meniscus and plica, and an MRI to define the tear when surgery is being considered. Treatment ranges from physiotherapy to arthroscopic meniscus repair, depending on the tear.