Question for the nurse phensters!!

**JamieE** · April 14th, 2008, 05:36 PM

Since I didnt actually see the dr today I didnt get to ask him about this. Nurses are smarter than docs anyway right?!

Anyway, when I am riding my stationary bike about 2 or 3 times a week I feel like pressure in my left knee. As I keep riding it eventually pops loud enough for me to hear and feels better. Is that something I should be worried about? The same knee clicks when I walk up stairs.

**RickC** · April 14th, 2008, 07:39 PM

Well I am not a nurse,but almost the same thing happens to me,my left knee will pop like that when i get up from my chair,hurts for awhile,my doc said it was from my weight and I need to be carefull,he also warmed me not to walk for exercise becuase of my joints,kind of worries me but i hope it will get better as the weight comes off.

**JamieE** · April 14th, 2008, 07:57 PM

I was hoping that it would get better as I lost weight too. I just noticed the pressure and popping since I have been riding my bike this last month.

**Band Mamma** · April 14th, 2008, 11:15 PM

Not a nurse, but try stretching a bit after being on the bike for a couple of minutes. You can also try a knee brace.

**lailbanana** · April 14th, 2008, 11:39 PM

although you should not wear the knee brace all the time... youll become dependent on it... and it may even weaken your knee...

kay bout the popping... do u remember when you were lil or at least know sumone that this was said to... dont pop ur knuckles... your knuckles will be big and you will have problems in your hands... well u can happily go back and tell those ppl that they are WRONG! all popping is ... is built up air pressure in your joints.. and once you POP your knuckles or whatever.. it becomes a vaccum and pulls the air past the joint and makes the popping noise....

now dont get me wrong im not sayin pop your knee... lol.. and if there is discomfort i would def tel you to do lower resistance or short distance... its prob a sign that your body is giving ya ...take it slower or in shorter differences...

i hope this helps even a small bit

(nursing student... not a nurse YET!)

gl!

**JamieE** · April 14th, 2008, 11:54 PM

Thanks lailbanana!! That helps! It feels better after it pops so I guess its ok

**bamamama77** · April 14th, 2008, 11:54 PM

Jamie, is the pressure you have associated with any actual pain? Have you done anything to that particular knee that may have caused any type of trauma or have you been on your knees doing housework or gardening a lot lately? Do you feel unstable ever when it pops and you're climbing stairs, ever feel like the knee might lock up?

If the answer is no to the above, it's probably just normal wear-and-tear so to speak and I agree w/ the popping and releasing pressure answer from my fellow student nurse! (We learn A LOT. haha) You have a lot of ligaments and cushioning in your knee not to mention it's a place where 3 bones diverge so yes, there will be popping going on. (My right hip where the femur head comes in pops all the time.) It may be partly weight related plus the added exercising so do some gentle stretches and if it actually does cause you any pain or just doesn't feel right by all means bring it up to your doctor.

And yes, docs may go to school longer, but if you want to know what's going on w/ someone, ask their nurse! Hope we've helped!