Loud popping sound in knee?

[Kaido]

I have a loud popping sound in my left knee when I do 1/2 squats (no weights, just as part of my daily PT-warmup program). It pops when I straighten out my legs all the way up. If I don't completely straighten them, it doesn't pop. Zero pain. I recall having this for a long time, I just haven't exercised like...ever. Doesn't hurt, doesn't cause numbness, no effects other than a popping noise. That pretty normal? Early arthritis? Gonna die?

Edit: I ask mainly because I want to start running once I lose 30 pounds and I want to make sure I'm not ruining my knee because of it.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Kaido
I have a loud popping sound in my left knee when I do 1/2 squats (no weights, just as part of my daily PT-warmup program). It pops when I straighten out my legs all the way up. If I don't completely straighten them, it doesn't pop. Zero pain. I recall having this for a long time, I just haven't exercised like...ever. Doesn't hurt, doesn't cause numbness, no effects other than a popping noise. That pretty normal? Early arthritis? Gonna die?

Edit: I ask mainly because I want to start running once I lose 30 pounds and I want to make sure I'm not ruining my knee because of it.

Actually, your knee can be perfectly fine, even if it pops. I've had knee problems most of my life due to excessive growth spurts and overactivity and my right one pops. I've had no real problems with it since I started lifting though. Just be careful if you run on cement or a hard surface like that. That can really pound on your knees. If it bothers you, you can get a sheath-like knee brace which doesn't restrict movement, but keeps the joint at a constant temperature. It really helps keep everything warm and fluid. Good luck with it.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: Kaido
I have a loud popping sound in my left knee when I do 1/2 squats (no weights, just as part of my daily PT-warmup program). It pops when I straighten out my legs all the way up. If I don't completely straighten them, it doesn't pop. Zero pain. I recall having this for a long time, I just haven't exercised like...ever. Doesn't hurt, doesn't cause numbness, no effects other than a popping noise. That pretty normal? Early arthritis? Gonna die?

Edit: I ask mainly because I want to start running once I lose 30 pounds and I want to make sure I'm not ruining my knee because of it.

Actually, your knee can be perfectly fine, even if it pops. I've had knee problems most of my life due to excessive growth spurts and overactivity and my right one pops. I've had no real problems with it since I started lifting though. Just be careful if you run on cement or a hard surface like that. That can really pound on your knees. If it bothers you, you can get a sheath-like knee brace which doesn't restrict movement, but keeps the joint at a constant temperature. It really helps keep everything warm and fluid. Good luck with it.

That's interesting, if it pops when I start running I'll definitely have to give that a shot, thanks!

How do you feel about low-impact treadmills like the ones from Precor? Bouncy surface instead of a hard surface...seems nice for bad-weather days.