Last reviewed: September 29, 2026

Almost certainly not. Clicking, popping and grinding after a knee replacement are common. A large share of patients hear something from their new knee, and plenty of people who never had surgery hear noises from their own knees too. Some knees are simply louder than others, and that alone does not mean anything is wrong.

The noise usually comes from the metal and plastic parts moving against each other, or from the kneecap riding over the front of the implant. Some implant designs are noisier than others, so two people with equally good results can sound very different.

On its own, clicking is rarely how a failing knee shows itself. When a replacement is loosening or wearing out, the warning signs are pain and swelling, not noise. People who hear their knee do tend to be a little less happy with it, which is worth knowing going in.

One exception has a name: patellar clunk. A band of scar tissue near the kneecap catches on the implant and causes a painful clunk. It is a separate problem that needs to be evaluated, and it can be treated.

In general:

  • Clicking by itself is not a sign that your knee is loose.
  • Clicking with new pain, swelling or giving way needs to be looked at.
  • A painful clunk from the kneecap is worth reporting.
  • Keep your follow-up visits even if the noise does not bother you.

Drafted with AI assistance from published sources, reviewed and edited by Babak Sheikh, MD.

Sources:

  • Cozzarelli NF, et al. Variations in Laxity After Total Knee Arthroplasty Do Not Affect Prosthesis-Generated Noise. Orthopedics. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3928/01477447-20260225-01
  • Schrednitzki D, et al. Increased Prevalence of Tibiofemoral Noises in Posterior-Stabilised Implants Compared to Cruciate-Retaining and Ultracongruent Implants in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1002/ksa.70120
  • Hedeman M, et al. Patellar Clunk Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Risk Factors and Treatment. Arthroplast Today. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artd.2025.101936

This is general information about what published research shows. It is not medical advice and it is not about your situation. Reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship with me. I am a retired orthopedic surgeon and I do not see patients. Talk with your own doctor before changing anything about your care. If something feels suddenly or seriously wrong, get medical care promptly rather than waiting.

This page is provided as is. I make no guarantee that it is accurate, complete or current, and medical evidence changes. Use of it is at your own risk.

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