knee is making bubble wrap type noise...?!

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Bubble wrap noise? When you bend your knee? You could have injured it, you could have fluid build up, tendon swollen, arthritis? Does it hurt? Cramps in your back could be a disk problem. I would take it easy for a few days. Apply heat for 20 minutes then ice pack (not too cold) - back and forth a few times a day. Rest your back and rest your legs. You could have just injured your knee and you back doing some sport. If it is better then that's probably what it is. If it continues or gets worse, might need to see a doc. Good luck.

The bubble wrap type noise you're hearing/feeling in your knee is called crepitus. Crepitus can be felt easier than it can be heard and has many different causes with injury and arthritis being amongst them. When we have a problem in our knees we automatically change our gait to compensate. This change creates effects on the entire body- hence the cramps in your back which is doing its best to make up for the change in your posture.
Since you participate in a lot of sports, it is best that you have your knee examined by an Orthopedic doctor to make certain that you do not have an injury to the knee that requires treatment. Your knee may simply be inflamed and require nothing more than ice and ibuprofen while some heat to your back relieves the muscle spasms, but ruling out an injury is important if you intend to continue participating.

Registered Nurse