Knee Clicking After Surgery Isn’t Always Bad—Or Is It?

Let me guess: you finally had that knee replacement surgery, and now every time you stand up or take a step, there’s a clicking sound coming from your knee. It doesn’t exactly sound reassuring, does it? One of my clients once told me their knee sounded like someone cracking their knuckles every time they climbed the stairs. (We laughed about it… eventually.) But here’s the thing: knee clicking after knee replacement surgery isn’t always a red flag.

In fact, some noise is completely normal. Dr. Cory Calendine, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip and knee replacement surgeries, does a great job explaining the clicking sound. Check out the video below:

8.3K views · 949 reactions | 🗣️ Clicking Joint Sounds After Your Knee Replacement?.If you’re hearing strange noises from your new knee after #jointreplacement – you’re not alone. Those clicks and clunks are actually quite common after knee replacement surgery, and they’re usually nothing to worry about.What’s really happening is simply the metal and plastic components of your prosthetic knee interacting as you move. Recent research shows these sounds rarely affect satisfaction or function – some patients with excellent mobility even report more noises. When clicking is normal: – First few months post-surgery – No accompanying pain #kneepainrelief – Gradually improves as muscles strengthen – Doesn’t limit your activities When to call your surgeon with a “noise complaint”: – Clicking with pain or swelling #totalknee – New noises appearing years after surgery – Visible knee deformity – Sounds that worsen over time.The truth is, most artificial joints make some noise – it’s just part of having mechanical components rather than natural cartilage. Your physical therapist can suggest exercises to strengthen surrounding muscles, which often reduces the sounds. What matters most is whether your knee is functioning well and keeping you pain-free, not whether it’s completely silent. Keep up with your PT exercises and stay active – most patients find the clicking becomes less noticeable as they adjust to their new joint..👇 Experienced joint clicking or popping after your knee replacement? What helped you? SHARE your experience #KneeReplacement | Cory Calendine, M.D.

🗣️ Clicking Joint Sounds After Your Knee Replacement?.If you’re hearing strange noises from your new knee after #jointreplacement – you’re not alone. Those clicks and clunks are actually quite…

www.facebook.com

As a physical therapist who has helped countless people navigate total knee replacement recovery, I also want to help you understand why your knee might be clicking and when it might be time to pay closer attention.

What Causes Knee Clicking After Surgery?

You’ve just gone through a major surgery where your natural joint was replaced with something mechanical. Your body is adjusting, and so is your new knee. Let’s take a closer look at why that clicking noise is happening in the first place.

Your New Knee Is Made of Metal and Plastic

The materials used in a knee replacement are sturdy—metal for the components and a special type of durable plastic where those components meet. When you move your leg, these parts glide over one another. Unlike your original knee, where cartilage cushions the joint, your new knee can produce clicking or tapping noises during everyday movements. It’s not a sign that something’s broken, it’s just physics.

It’s Not Your Old Knee Anymore

Your old knee was lined with soft cartilage that absorbed shock and allowed you to move quietly and smoothly. That cartilage is gone now. Your new knee doesn’t have that same soft padding. It’s more like a well-designed hinge. This doesn’t mean it’s not working. It just means it works differently. As your body gets used to it, the clicking may decrease, but some sounds might stick around permanently, and that’s okay.

When Knee Clicking After Surgery Could Be a Problem

Most of the time, a clicking knee isn’t anything to lose sleep over. But sometimes, those sounds come with symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored. So, how do you know when it’s just a harmless click versus a red flag? Here are a few warning signs I tell my clients to look out for.

Pain Along With Clicking

Clicking without pain? Not a problem. Clicking with pain? That’s a different story. If your clicking knee is also aching, swollen, or feels unstable, it might mean your body is signaling that something’s not right. This is when you want to reach out to your surgeon or physical therapist.

1. Loosening of the Components

Over time, the parts of your knee replacement can loosen slightly. It’s not super common early on, but it can happen, especially if you’ve returned to high-impact activities too soon. A clicking sound that suddenly appears, especially with pain or instability, could mean one of those components isn’t as secure as it should be.

2. Scar Tissue Buildup

Your body’s natural healing response can sometimes create too much scar tissue. This tissue can catch on parts of the implant and “snap” over them when you move. That creates a popping or clicking sound, and often a strange sensation. It’s not usually harmful, but it can affect how well your knee moves and how confident you feel walking or exercising.

3. Alignment or Motion Issues

Every knee is different, and every knee replacement is slightly different, too. Sometimes, the implant’s positioning or the way your muscles are working together after surgery can create movement patterns that lead to more noticeable clicking. If it feels like your knee is catching, shifting, or “off-track,” it’s worth getting checked.

What You Can Do About It

Now that you know what causes knee clicking and when to be concerned, let’s talk about what you can actually do about it. Spoiler: it’s not about sitting still and hoping it goes away.

Don’t Panic (Seriously)

First and foremost—don’t panic. You’re not the first person to experience clicking after knee surgery, and you won’t be the last. It’s surprisingly common. If your knee is clicking but feels strong and pain-free, you’re probably just hearing the normal sound of your new joint in action.

Keep Moving (The Right Way)

Movement is your best friend after surgery, but it has to be the right kind of movement. Random stretches or generic exercises won’t cut it. You need a structured plan that helps improve your range of motion, builds strength, and reduces stiffness. That’s how you move past the clicking—and everything else holding you back.

And if you’re feeling stuck at home without access to ongoing therapy, you don’t have to go it alone.

Strengthen and Heal Your Knee with the Right Program

Knee clicking is just one small piece of your bigger knee journey. The real focus is getting you back to doing the things you love—without pain, fear, or endless appointments. That’s where having the right program matters.

I’ve worked with people who were doing great in the clinic, but then they were discharged and left wondering, “Now what?” That’s the gap GoKnee was made to fill.

GoKnee is a complete knee recovery program that guides you through every step, from before surgery to long-term maintenance. The included knee device mimics the hands of a therapist, allowing you to perform advanced stretching and strengthening techniques safely from home. Combine that with clear video instruction, and you’ve got a smart, effective way to keep progressing—without the stress of figuring it all out on your own. Want to see how it works? Check out GoKnee here.

Listening to Your Knee and Your Body

Your knee is communicating with you. Maybe it’s saying, “Hey, this is just how I sound now.” Or maybe it’s waving a little red flag and asking for attention. The key is learning how to tell the difference, and knowing that it’s okay to ask for help if something doesn’t feel right.

Most of the time, knee clicking after surgery is normal and harmless. But if pain, swelling, or instability show up along with it, take that seriously. Get it looked at. Better safe than sorry. And whatever your knee is doing today, know this: you are not alone, and you are not stuck.

Don’t Let Knee Clicking After Surgery Stop You

You’ve already taken a big step by choosing knee replacement surgery. That clicking sound? It’s just part of the process. What matters more is how you keep moving forward.

Stick to a plan. Stay consistent. Ask questions. Good luck on your knee journey!

Good knees start here. Don’t miss a step—subscribe to KneeMail for free tips from knee expert Shehla Rooney, PT (that’s me)!