How NOT to wreck your knees.

skybox

So, my father has bad knees somehow. I'm not sure if it runs through the family (no one has it that I know of), or if he just destroyed them throughout his youth, but whatever. I can remember two separate occasions where he would be working (manual labor, lifting, etc.) and his knee would make a very audible *popping* noise, and he'd fall to the ground in pain. As far as I know, he never actually went to have this examined; don't ask me why. After one of these episodes, there was always a strong possibility it would happen a few more times just from the stress of everyday walking.
I have worked for UPS for the past two years, and have done my share of heavy lifting. Until this semester, I don't remember it being a problem. Lately, however, there have been times where I can hear what I think to be my tendons in my knee stretching, popping, something whenever I climb stairs in either direction, or twist my legs when I'm carrying something heavy. It doesn't hurt, but I can definitely feel it. Afterwords, it feels as if thought I have an air bubble behind my knee cap for about an hour. I will, of course, go talk to my physician about this asap, but I wanted to hear some thoughts from you fine people. What's going on? Am I destined to have my knees replaced before I'm thirty? Are there any exercises I could do to strengthen them to prevent such a disaster?

Thanks for any help.

RUNN1NGMAN

Joint noise without pain is generally harmless, but you're definitely going to want to see an orthopedist about it just to make sure.

Any standard quad exercises will help with knee stability. Leg extensions are probably the safest if you are worried that your knees are weak.

skybox

I agree, but they always feel weak after they make a noise; as if they could twist side to side at any time if I don't take each step perfectly.

MrMonroe

I get the same feeling from time to time, especially if running or biking without stretching properly and doing some weighted leg exercises first. Stretch your legs every morning before work, and doing some exercises like RM suggested wouldn't hurt either.